> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.laws.africa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.laws.africa/knowledge-bases/quick-start.md).

# Quick start

This guide shows you how to query a Knowledge Base and use the result in an application.

You will:

1. create a platform account and API token;
2. list available Knowledge Bases;
3. query a Knowledge Base;
4. use the returned legal context in Python.

## Create an API token

1. Sign up at <https://platform.laws.africa/>.
2. Get your API token from <https://platform.laws.africa/api-keys/>.

In the examples below, replace `<YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN>` with your token.

Knowledge Base retrieve calls count toward your account's Knowledge Base usage limits. You can monitor usage in the platform and read rate-limit guidance in [manage your plan and subscription](/get-started/manage-your-plan.md).

## List available Knowledge Bases

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN>" \
  https://api.laws.africa/ai/v1/knowledge-bases
```

The response includes Knowledge Base codes. Use a code in the retrieve endpoint.

## Query a legislation Knowledge Base

This example queries the South African municipal legislation Knowledge Base for Cape Town dog ownership rules.

```bash
curl -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "text": "dog ownership cape town",
    "top_k": 5,
    "filters": {
      "principal": true,
      "repealed": false,
      "frbr_place": "za-cpt"
    }
  }' \
  https://api.laws.africa/ai/v1/knowledge-bases/legislation-za-municipal/retrieve
```

The response contains matching legal portions:

```json
{
  "results": [
    {
      "content": {
        "text": "..."
      },
      "metadata": {
        "title": "Animal By-law, 2011",
        "work_frbr_uri": "/akn/za-cpt/act/by-law/2011/animal",
        "public_url": "https://lawlibrary.org.za/...",
        "portion_title": "Chapter 7 - Miscellaneous",
        "portion_public_url": "https://lawlibrary.org.za/...#chp_7"
      },
      "score": 0.16151309999999997
    }
  ]
}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
For legislation queries, start with `principal: true` and `repealed: false` so results prefer current principal legislation rather than amendment notices or repealed works.
{% endhint %}

## Use the result in Python

```python
import requests

TOKEN = "<YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN>"
KB_CODE = "legislation-za-municipal"

response = requests.post(
    f"https://api.laws.africa/ai/v1/knowledge-bases/{KB_CODE}/retrieve",
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {TOKEN}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    json={
        "text": "dog ownership cape town",
        "top_k": 5,
        "filters": {
            "principal": True,
            "repealed": False,
            "frbr_place": "za-cpt",
        },
    },
    timeout=30,
)
response.raise_for_status()

results = response.json()["results"]

context = []
for result in results:
    metadata = result["metadata"]
    context.append(
        "\n".join(
            [
                f"Title: {metadata.get('title')}",
                f"Source: {metadata.get('portion_public_url') or metadata.get('public_url')}",
                f"Text: {result['content']['text']}",
            ]
        )
    )

print("\n\n".join(context))
```

Pass this context into your search interface, RAG prompt or agent response with the user's question. Always include source URLs so users can inspect the legal material.

## Next steps

* Learn the main [Knowledge Base concepts](/knowledge-bases/concepts.md).
* Apply [filters](/knowledge-bases/filters.md) for more precise legislation results.
* Use results in [RAG, search and agent workflows](/knowledge-bases/use-in-apps.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://developers.laws.africa/knowledge-bases/quick-start.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.