> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.maetra.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.maetra.io/introduction.md).

# Introduction

**Maetra** keeps AI agents inside the lines at runtime. Put a **checkpoint** in front of an agent's sensitive actions and a **scanner** in front of its prompts, tool calls, and outputs — over a plain REST API or an MCP server.

New to Maetra? Start with the [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart.md). Just need a reference? Jump to the [API reference](/reference/api-reference.md).

### The two building blocks

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Govern" %}
**Human-in-the-loop approvals.** Before an agent does something consequential — move money, delete data, email a customer — it calls Maetra. Your policies decide: auto-approve, auto-block, or route to a human. The agent gets a decision plus a **signed token** it can present as proof the action was authorised.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Secure" %}
**Runtime content scanning.** Screen prompts, tool calls, and model outputs against your workspace rules — prompt injection, data exfiltration, disallowed tools — and get back a verdict (`safe`, `flagged`, `blocked`) and a recommended action. Anything flagged or blocked becomes an incident.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Two ways to integrate

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Interface</th><th>Best for</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>REST API</strong></td><td>Backends and services calling <code>/v1</code> over HTTPS.</td><td><a href="/pages/bWa1tThFqbXjFnMZrlZP">Quickstart →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>MCP server</strong></td><td>AI agents and assistants that speak the Model Context Protocol.</td><td><a href="/pages/1w9dnLYvzyjkHjgREH5E">MCP overview →</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Both are backed by the same evaluation engine and authenticated with the same workspace API key.

{% hint style="success" %}
**You don't need to register your agents first.** Every endpoint accepts a free-text `agent_name`, so you can integrate in minutes and register agents later for richer reporting. See [Agents](/agents.md).
{% endhint %}

### Base URL

```
https://api.maetra.io
```

All REST endpoints are versioned under `/v1`. The MCP server has its own base URL — see the [MCP overview](/mcp-server/overview-and-connection.md).

### Next steps

1. [Create an API key](/getting-started/authentication.md) in the dashboard.
2. [Run your first checkpoint and scan](/getting-started/quickstart.md).
3. Browse the [full API reference](/reference/api-reference.md).