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

# Overview

> A quick start guide to creating your first interview.

# What is Ribbon API?

Ribbon API lets you create intelligent AI-powered voice interviews. To interview someone, all you have to do is share a link.

Ribbon's AI interviewer can hold a natural and intelligent conversation with your interviewee. You can use the Ribbon API to create many types of interviews including: product interviews, surveys, recruitment interviews, health questionnaires, and much more. Use your imagination!

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# Concepts

Ribbon API has two concepts: **Interview Flows** and **Interviews**

**Interview Flows** are reusable sets of questions and context. They have two types: `general` (default) and `recruitment`.

**Interviews** are created from **Interviews Flows**. Each interview has a one use session link. To interview someone, all you have to do is share the link! Once the interviewee has visited the interview link, the link is expired.

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# Interview type: General vs. Recruitment

When creating an interview flow, you can choose between two interview types: `general` and `recruitment`.

## `general` type interviews

All interviews are `general` type by default. This is a more generic type of interview suitable for multiple use cases.

## `recruitment` type interviews

If you are screening a potential job candidate, you should use `recruitment` type interviews. These interviews are also displayed within the Ribbon platform giving you the opportunity to use Ribbon to view, score, and share the candidates more easily.

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# Authentication

Create your first API key on the [Ribbon API console page](https://app.ribbon.ai/recruit/api-keys).

When making an API call, add an Authorization header and set the API key as a Bearer Token:

`Bearer <your-api-key-here>`

You can test your API key by making a call to [/ping](/ribbon-public-api/ping)

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# Quick start guide

There are two easy ways to get started depending on the type of interview you want to conduct:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="General interviews" icon="microphone" href="/docs/quick-start">
    Suitable for product interviews, surveys, health questionnaires, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Recruitment interviews" icon="user-tie" href="/docs/quick-start-conducting-recruitment-interviews">
    For screening potential job candidates.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>