# Overview

The Elements CMS Online Editor includes a token-authenticated JSON REST API for headless use. Your apps, mobile clients, static builds, and migration scripts can read and write CMS content over HTTPS with a simple `Authorization: Bearer api_...` header.

If you want Claude, Cursor, or another AI assistant to manage the CMS through conversation, use the [MCP Server](/elements-docs/cms/mcp-server/mcp.md) instead.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Studio / JSON API access is required.** Every `/api/*` route, including public reads, requires an active license for the site's domain with JSON API access enabled. Without one, every request returns `402 Payment Required`.
{% endhint %}

### Start here

* [Installation](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/installation.md) - prerequisites and how to verify the API is reachable.
* [Authentication and API Keys](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/authentication.md) - creating keys in the Online Editor, header format, and how API keys differ from MCP tokens.
* [Quickstart](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/quickstart.md) - a short walkthrough: list, create, update, and delete CMS content.

### Choose your path

| Building this                          | Start here                                                                                                                              |
| -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Headless frontend, static site, or SPA | [Headless Frontend](https://github.com/realmacsoftware/rapidweaver-elements-docs-cms/blob/main/json-api/guides/headless-frontend.md)    |
| Mobile or desktop client               | [Authentication](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/authentication.md), then [Items](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/items.md) |
| Bulk migration script                  | [Content Migration](https://github.com/realmacsoftware/rapidweaver-elements-docs-cms/blob/main/json-api/guides/content-migration.md)    |
| Upload integration                     | [Uploads](https://github.com/realmacsoftware/rapidweaver-elements-docs-cms/blob/main/json-api/guides/uploads.md)                        |
| Webhook receiver                       | [Webhooks](https://github.com/realmacsoftware/rapidweaver-elements-docs-cms/blob/main/json-api/guides/webhooks.md)                      |

### Reference

The route reference is split by surface area:

* [Reference Overview](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference.md)
* [Collections](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/collections.md)
* [Items](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/items.md)
* [Resources](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/resources.md)
* [Versions](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/versions.md)
* [Settings](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/settings.md)
* [Search and Feeds](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/reference/search-and-feeds.md)

### Errors and versioning

* [Errors](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/errors.md) - status codes, response shapes, and troubleshooting.
* [Changelog](/elements-docs/cms/json-rest-api/changelog.md) - API versioning policy and notable changes.


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