URL: /tang/quickstart

---
title: Quickstart
description: From zero to first encrypted payload in under two minutes.
icon: rocket
---

You'll need a sandbox API key. Grab one at [example.com/signup](https://example.com/signup).

## 1. Install

<CodeGroup>
```bash npm
npm install @example/cipher
```
```bash bun
bun add @example/cipher
```
```bash pnpm
pnpm add @example/cipher
```
</CodeGroup>

## 2. Encrypt

```ts
import { Cipher } from "@example/cipher";

const cipher = new Cipher({ apiKey: process.env.CIPHER_KEY });
const sealed = await cipher.encrypt({ payload: "secret note" });
```

`sealed` is a string-encoded envelope. Stash it anywhere — Postgres, S3, a cookie.

## 3. Decrypt

```ts
const { payload } = await cipher.decrypt(sealed);
console.log(payload); // "secret note"
```

That's it.

<Note>
Sandbox keys are rate-limited to 100 req/min. Production keys lift that automatically when you upgrade.
</Note>