> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mainwp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with MainWP Essentials

> Learn how to get MainWP Essentials (the free tier), activate your API key, and install free add-ons on your MainWP Dashboard.

This article explains how to get MainWP Essentials and activate your API key on your MainWP Dashboard, which allows you to install add-ons directly and enable automatic updates.

## What You'll Learn

* How to create a MainWP.com account
* How to get MainWP Essentials (free)
* How to copy and activate your API key
* How to install free add-ons

***

## Create Your MainWP.com Account and Get MainWP Essentials

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the free bundle checkout link">
    Use the [MainWP Essentials checkout link](https://mainwp.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=1264797\&empty-cart). This adds the free bundle to your cart automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your account during checkout">
    On the checkout page, enter your new account username and password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place the free order">
    Complete checkout to create your MainWP.com account and activate MainWP Essentials.

    <Note>There is no charge and no payment method is required for MainWP Essentials.</Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Copy Your API Key

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to your Account Extensions page">
    Navigate to your **[Account > Extensions](https://mainwp.com/my-account/my-api-downloads/)** page. Here you will find your Main API Key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy your Main API Key">
    Copy your Main API Key - you'll need it in the next section.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-4057bc.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl&q=85&s=534b274b53647bba2ccf1a866494c98b" alt="MainWP main API key in the My Account page." width="1824" height="1026" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-4057bc.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Activate Your API Key in MainWP Dashboard

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to your MainWP Dashboard site">
    Go to your self-hosted MainWP Dashboard site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to MainWP > Add-ons">
    Navigate to the **MainWP > Add-ons** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the license controls">
    Click **Add License Key** (or **Manage License** if a key is already saved).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste your API Key">
    Paste your Main API Key and check **Remember Key**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate your API Key">
    Click **Validate License**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-785926.gif?s=7580ef95a3e4c3a5cb9c805ecddbc2c8" alt="Click the Validate License button" width="313" height="461" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-785926.gif" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Install Add-ons

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Install Add-ons">
    Click the **Install Add-ons** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select and install your add-ons">
    Select the add-ons you want to install and click the **Install Selected Add-ons** button.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-a0b5e2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl&q=85&s=576d630960d5fca0abafcd332ab758c2" alt="Extension selection modal showing available free extensions" width="922" height="846" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-a0b5e2.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Related Resources

* [Add-on Bundles](/add-ons/bundles) - Compare Essentials vs Pro tiers
* [Add-ons Overview](/add-ons/overview) - Browse all available add-ons
* [Manage Add-ons](/dashboard/overview/manage-extensions) - Add-on management in Dashboard