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

# Get Started with Dolva's Audio Analysis API: 5 Minutes

> Learn how to authenticate and make your first cognitive or emotion analysis request with Dolva using curl or Python in under 5 minutes.

This guide walks you through making your first audio analysis request with Dolva. You'll authenticate with your API token and send an audio file to either the cognitive or emotion endpoint. The whole flow takes less than 5 minutes.

## Prerequisites

* A Dolva account and API token (sign up at [dolva.ai](https://dolva.ai))
* An audio file in a supported format (WAV, MP3, or similar — see [Audio Requirements](/concepts/audio-requirements))
* `curl`, Python, or another HTTP client

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get your API token">
    Log in to your Dolva account at [dolva.ai](https://dolva.ai) and copy your API token from the dashboard. You'll use it as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an analysis type">
    Decide whether you want cognitive or emotional signal analysis. Both endpoints accept the same audio upload format — you can call both on the same recording.

    * `/v1/analyze/cognitive` — cognitive load, clarity, and processing signals
    * `/v1/analyze/emotion` — emotional state and valence signals
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your audio file">
    Send a `multipart/form-data` POST request with your audio file in the `audio` field.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash curl theme={null}
      curl -X POST https://api.dolva.ai/v1/analyze/cognitive \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer dv-xxxxxxxx" \
        -F "audio=@/path/to/your/recording.wav"
      ```

      ```python Python theme={null}
      import requests

      url = "https://api.dolva.ai/v1/analyze/cognitive"
      headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer dv-xxxxxxxx"}

      with open("/path/to/your/recording.wav", "rb") as audio_file:
          response = requests.post(
              url,
              headers=headers,
              files={"audio": audio_file}
          )

      print(response.json())
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the response">
    Dolva returns a JSON object with the analysis results. A successful response has HTTP status `200`.

    ```json Example Response theme={null}
    {
      "status": "ok",
      "signals": {
        "cognitive_load": 0.72,
        "clarity": 0.85
      }
    }
    ```

    <Note>
      The exact fields in the response depend on the model version and audio content. See [Interpreting Results](/guides/interpreting-results) for a full breakdown.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Understand Bearer token authentication in detail.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Interpreting Results" icon="chart-line" href="/guides/interpreting-results">
    Learn what each signal field means.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Error Handling" icon="triangle-exclamation" href="/guides/error-handling">
    Handle validation errors and API failures gracefully.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/overview">
    Full reference for all endpoints and parameters.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>