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First Steps

First Steps

Step 1: Get an API key

Developing locally? All Maptoolkit APIs and the MCP Server work without an API key on localhost. See how to set up your local environment.

RapidAPI (self-service)

Sign up at RapidAPI (Maptoolkit). Tiered plans with different request volumes are available. Once subscribed, your API key is available in the RapidAPI dashboard.

Enterprise

Includes access to all Maptoolkit APIs, dedicated infrastructure, custom SLAs, and direct account management. Contact us to get started.

maptoolkit.org provides free vector tile basemaps under the Community License. No account or API key needed. Covers vector tile basemaps only. Attribution required on every map.

Step 2: Add your API key to requests

Once you have an API key, add it to every request using one of the two methods below.

As a query parameter (simplest for testing):

https://staticmap.maptoolkit.net?center=48.2,16.4&zoom=12&size=750x400&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY

As an HTTP header (preferred for server-side requests):

MTK-ApiKey: YOUR_API_KEY

Protect your key

Never commit your API key to source control or hard-code it in client-side code.

Store it in an environment variable (MAPTOOLKIT_API_KEY) and in browser apps, proxy tile and API requests through your backend so the key is never exposed to end users.

Restrict your key

In the Maptoolkit admin panel you can limit each key to specific origins:

Referers: only allow requests from your domain (for browser apps).

User-Agents: only allow requests from your app identifier (for mobile or server apps).

Step 3: Create your first map

To display maps you choose between Maptoolkit Maps JS or a third-party library. Maptoolkit Maps JS is the native SDK with the tightest integration, the simplest setup, and access to features like the AI connector out of the box. It is the recommended starting point for most projects.

Consider a third-party library if you’re already using MapLibre or Mapbox GL JS in an existing codebase, or if you need Leaflet or OpenLayers for raster-tile use cases.

Step 4: Explore examples

Once your map is running, the Maps JS examples are the fastest way to add features. Each one is a working, copy-pasteable starting point.