# Getting Started Using the Client-Server API
The Client-Server API allows a user to perform any action they could via a Matrix client programatically. In order to make use of the API you will need to retrieve an access token for your account.
### Getting your `access_token`
In order to use the Client-Server API you will need to authenticate your calls to the API using an `access_token` from your user account. You can find your `access_token` from the `Help & About` section of your settings. Check out the [Help & About](https://ems-docs.element.io/books/element-support/page/help-about) page from the [Element Web/Desktop Client Settings](https://ems-docs.element.io/books/element-support/chapter/element-webdesktop-client-settings) chapter for more guidance.
### Making a Client-Server API request
Using your preferred method, you will need to authenticate each request to a Client-Server API endpoint by providing the token as either a query parameter or a request header. To add it as a request header in cURL, you can use the following, replacing `syt_AjfVef2_L33JNpafeif_0feKJfeaf0CQpoZk` with your own `access_token`:
```bash
curl --header "Authorization: Bearer syt_AjfVef2_L33JNpafeif_0feKJfeaf0CQpoZk" -X GET https://HOMESERVER_URL/_matrix/client/v0/profile/@user:example.com
```
Here is the equivalent action using Python and the `requests` library:
```python
import requests
headers = {
'Authorization': 'Bearer syt_AjfVef2_L33JNpafeif_0feKJfeaf0CQpoZk',
}
response = requests.get('https://HOMESERVER_URL/_matrix/client/v0/profile/@user:example.com', headers=headers)
```
Further details on the using the API are out-of-scope for this documentation, please consult the Client-Server API documentation.