# Setup your development environment

Learn how to install and configure the gospace SDKs, set up your environment variables, and prepare your system for building and running API integrations.

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{% tab title="Node.js" %}

### Prerequisites

* Node.js v18 LTS or newer
* npm v9+
* A valid gospace API key

### 1. Install Node.js and npm

Check your version:

```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

If you need to upgrade, download from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/) or use a version manager:

```bash
nvm install 18
nvm use 18
```

### 2. Create a New Project

```bash
mkdir gospace-dev
cd gospace-dev
npm init -y
```

### 3. Install the gospace AI SDK

```bash
npm install @gospace-ai/api
```

### 4. Store Your API Key Securely

```bash
npm install dotenv
```

Create `.env`:

```env
GOSPACE_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
```

Load it in your code:

```ts
import "dotenv/config";
import GospaceAI from "@gospace-ai/api";

const gospace = new GospaceAI(process.env.GOSPACE_API_KEY!);
```

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{% endtabs %}