# Creating the API Context

When integrating with the bunq API, security is a top priority. Instead of relying solely on API keys, bunq uses a **three-step authentication process:**

* installation, 
* device registration, 
* session creation

to ensure secure and controlled access. This approach prevents unauthorized use, protects sensitive financial data, and aligns with banking security standards like PSD2. Here’s how each step enhances security while keeping API access flexible and manageable.

{% hint style="success" %} <mark style="background-color:blue;">**Pro Tip: Simplify with Postman**</mark>

Using our Postman examples makes API integration super easy. We've pre-filled all the requests with environment variables, streamlining the process and reducing the risk of errors. It's by far the quickest way to get a live session, to play around with until you fully commit to a integration in your own application.

This setup allows you to focus more on development and less on configuration, ensuring a smoother experience.

<https://github.com/bunq/postman/>
{% endhint %}

### How it all hangs together

The installation call is the only call you can make with without any authorization token.&#x20;

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th>Call</th><th>Needs in the header</th><th>Needs in the body</th><th>Returns</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>/installation</strong></td><td>Nothing</td><td>The public key (generated by you) of your server</td><td>1. installation token<br>2. public key of the server</td></tr><tr><td><strong>/device-server</strong></td><td>The installation token</td><td>the API key of your user and you server IP that will have access to bunq's API</td><td>A device ID</td></tr><tr><td><strong>/session-server</strong></td><td>Installation token</td><td>the API key of your user</td><td>Session token and user object</td></tr></tbody></table>

### What's next

In the following pages you'll have a closer look on how to create your API Context by calling each of the 3 endpoints we explained here.