# Quick Start (Human)

This guide walks you through getting a Synapse account, your first Mind Key,
and storing your first memory. Total time: ~5 minutes.

## Step 1: Register an Account

Open the Synapse API and create an account:

```bash
curl -X POST https://synapse.schaefer.zone/register \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "you@example.com",
    "password": "your-secure-password"
  }'
```

Response:

```json
{
  "jwt": "eyJhbGci...",
  "user": { "id": "u_abc123", "email": "you@example.com" }
}
```

> [!TIP]
> Save the JWT somewhere safe — you'll need it to create minds. The JWT expires
> after 7 days; re-login with the same endpoint to refresh.

## Step 2: Create Your First Mind

A "mind" is an isolated memory scope. Most users start with one mind, but you can
have multiple (e.g. "work", "personal", "project-x"). Each mind has its own
unique Mind Key.

```bash
curl -X POST https://synapse.schaefer.zone/minds \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "My First Mind",
    "description": "Personal assistant memory"
  }'
```

Response:

```json
{
  "id": "m_xyz789",
  "name": "My First Mind",
  "mind_key": "mk_aBcDeFgHiJkLmNoPqRsTuVwXyZ0123456789",
  "created_at": "2026-06-27T..."
}
```

> [!CRITICAL]
> **Save the `mind_key` immediately.** It is shown only once and cannot be
> retrieved later. If you lose it, you'll need to create a new mind.

## Step 3: Store Your First Memory

Now use the Mind Key to store a memory:

```bash
curl -X POST https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_MIND_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "category": "identity",
    "key": "user_name",
    "content": "My name is Michael",
    "tags": ["personal", "identity"],
    "priority": "critical"
  }'
```

Response:

```json
{
  "id": "mem_001",
  "status": "stored",
  "mind_id": "m_xyz789"
}
```

## Step 4: Recall All Memories

To retrieve everything you've stored:

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_MIND_KEY" \
     https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory/recall
```

Response (plain text, optimized for LLM consumption):

```
Mind: My First Mind
Memories: 1 total (1 verified)

[001] identity (CRITICAL)
  user_name
  My name is Michael
  Tags: personal, identity
  Stored: 2026-06-27
```

## Step 5: Search Memories

Find specific memories by keyword:

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_MIND_KEY" \
     "https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory/search?q=michael"
```

## Step 6: Connect Your LLM

The easiest way to give your LLM access to Synapse is via MCP:

- [Claude Desktop setup](/docs/mcp/claude-desktop) — 2-minute config
- [Claude Code setup](/docs/mcp/claude-code) — terminal integration
- [Cursor setup](/docs/mcp/cursor) — IDE integration

After setup, your LLM will automatically call `memory_recall` at the start of
every session and persist new facts via `memory_store`.

## Memory Categories

Synapse supports 8 categories — pick the most specific one:

| Category | Use Case |
|----------|----------|
| `identity` | User name, role, contact info |
| `preference` | Likes, dislikes, working style |
| `fact` | Verifiable facts (project details, dates) |
| `project` | Project status, milestones, todos |
| `skill` | Things the user is good at |
| `mistake` | Past errors — avoid repeating |
| `context` | Session-relevant context |
| `note` | Misc notes |

## Priority Levels

- `low` — nice to know
- `normal` — default
- `high` — important
- `critical` — must never forget (user identity, legal info)

## Next Steps

- [Authentication deep-dive](/docs/getting-started/authentication)
- [Mind Key vs JWT](/docs/getting-started/mind-key-vs-jwt)
- [Memory API reference](/docs/api/memory)
- [MCP integration](/docs/mcp/what-is-mcp)