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> Source: [/docs/routes/api-setup](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/api-setup.md)
> Section: [Routes](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes.md). Accept cross-network deposits, quote transfers, and track delivery. Routes is in beta; see the introduction for access.
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# Routes API setup

Configure your backend to quote and create Routes transfers or deposit addresses. Confirm [beta access](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes), create a key in [Tempo Console](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/api/console), and keep the key out of browser code.

Use `routes:read` for quotes and status and `routes:write` for create and registration requests. Authenticated route-directory reads require `data:read`.

## Configure the client

Set `TEMPO_API_KEY` in your environment. TypeScript uses Node.js with built-in `fetch`; Python uses `requests` (`python -m pip install requests`); cURL examples require `curl` and `jq`.

:::code-group
```ts [TypeScript (fetch)]
const api = 'https://api.tempo.xyz/v1'
const headers = {
  'tempo-api-key': process.env.TEMPO_API_KEY!,
  'Content-Type': 'application/json',
}
```

```python [Python (requests)]
import os
import requests

api = "https://api.tempo.xyz/v1"
headers = {
    "tempo-api-key": os.environ["TEMPO_API_KEY"],
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
}
```

```bash [cURL (API)]
# Set TEMPO_API_KEY in your terminal's environment before running requests.
curl --fail-with-body 'https://api.tempo.xyz/v1/routes' \
  --header "tempo-api-key: $TEMPO_API_KEY"
```
:::

Choose one of the request flows below. Continue its TypeScript or Python guide in the same file so it shares `api`, `headers`, and request variables. The transfer and deposit-address setup blocks are alternatives; do not paste both into one file.

## Prepare a transfer request

Choose a live pair from [Supported routes](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/networks). Save these fields in `route-request.json`, replacing the sample addresses with the accounts you intend to use. Check that the route supports `exactSource`; `amount` is in source-token base units. The sample illustrates a request shape, not a guarantee that this pair or amount is currently available.

```json
{
  "sourceChain": "base",
  "sourceToken": "usdc",
  "destinationChain": "tempo",
  "destinationToken": "usdce",
  "sender": "0x2222222222222222222222222222222222222222",
  "recipient": "0x1111111111111111111111111111111111111111",
  "amount": "1000000",
  "mode": "exactSource"
}
```

Load the request and assign one idempotency key for the create operation. Keep that key when retrying the same request; use a new key for a new operation.

:::code-group
```ts [TypeScript (fetch)]
import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs'

const transferRequest = JSON.parse(readFileSync('route-request.json', 'utf8'))
const requestKey = crypto.randomUUID() // Persist with your payment record.
```

```python [Python (requests)]
import json
import uuid

with open("route-request.json") as file:
    transferRequest = json.load(file)
requestKey = str(uuid.uuid4())  # Persist with your payment record.
```

```bash [cURL (API)]
# Choose and retain one key per operation, including across retries.
ROUTE_REQUEST_KEY="my-payment-001"
```
:::

Use the same request inputs for the [quote and create steps](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/transfers). For source signing, use the account and network you selected; the API key does not sign blockchain transactions. See the [complete cURL example](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/examples/transfers) to build the payload from environment variables.

## Prepare a deposit-address request

Choose a route with deposit-address support and save its details in `deposit-address-request.json`. The recipient is on Tempo; the refund address is on the source network. Replace the sample addresses and check the live route before using it.

```json
{
  "sourceChain": "tron",
  "sourceToken": "usdt",
  "destinationToken": "usdt0",
  "recipient": "0x1111111111111111111111111111111111111111",
  "refundAddress": "TJRabPrwbZy45sbavfcjinPJC18kjpRTv8",
  "amount": "1000000"
}
```

Load that file as `depositRequest` and assign a separate `requestKey` for the address creation:

:::code-group
```ts [TypeScript (fetch)]
import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs'

const depositRequest = JSON.parse(readFileSync('deposit-address-request.json', 'utf8'))
const requestKey = crypto.randomUUID() // Persist with your customer record.
```

```python [Python (requests)]
import json
import uuid

with open("deposit-address-request.json") as file:
    depositRequest = json.load(file)
requestKey = str(uuid.uuid4())  # Persist with your customer record.
```

```bash [cURL (API)]
ROUTE_REQUEST_KEY="my-deposit-address-001"
```
:::

The transfer and deposit-address examples are separate flows; choose the matching request file and variables. Follow [Accept deposits](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/deposits) or the [complete cURL example](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/routes/examples/deposits).