# Solana API Quickstart

How to get started building on Solana using Alchemy

## Send your first request on Alchemy

Let's use [`@solana/web3.js`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@solana/web3.js) package to set up a `Connection` with Alchemy and get the latest slot on Solana!

```bash
npm install --save @solana/web3.js
```

```bash
yarn add @solana/web3.js
```

## Create a connection to Alchemy

```javascript
import { Connection } from "@solana/web3.js";

const connection = new Connection(
  "https://solana-devnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_ALCHEMY_API_KEY",
  "confirmed"
);

const slot = await connection.getSlot();
console.log("Current slot:", slot);
```

Now that you've set up a connection to Alchemy, you can continue with some basics:

## Create a wallet

```javascript
import { Keypair } from "@solana/web3.js";

const wallet = Keypair.generate();
console.log("Public Key:", wallet.publicKey.toBase58());
```

## Check wallet balance

```javascript
const balance = await connection.getBalance(wallet.publicKey);
console.log("Balance:", balance / 1e9, "SOL");
```

## Fetch account info

```javascript
const info = await connection.getAccountInfo(wallet.publicKey);
console.log(info);
```

## Find Solana methods by category

[Current State Methods](/content/docs/solana-api-faq#current-state-methods/index.html)  
[Historical Data (Archival)](/content/docs/solana-api-faq#historical-data-archival/index.html)  
[Transaction Submission](/content/docs/solana-api-faq#transaction-submission/index.html)  
[Network & Cluster Info](/content/docs/solana-api-faq#network-performance-economics/index.html)

# CU Calculator

Want to estimate your Solana Compute Units (CUs) before running transactions?

**Try the CU Calculator now:** [Open CU Calculator →](https://solana-demo-sigma.vercel.app/)

# Solana Tutorials

Check out the following tutorials to learn how to build with Solana:

- [Hello World Solana Program](/content/docs/hello-world-solana-program/index.html)
- [How to Integrate a Solana Program with a Web3 Application](/content/docs/hello-world-solana-application/index.html)