> This page is for Documentation, version Integration guides (default).
> For other versions, use one of these documentation indexes:
> - Integration guides (default): https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/integration-guides/llms.txt
> - Refactor guides: https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/refactor-guides/llms.txt
> - Get certified: https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/get-certified/llms.txt
> - Agent to Agent (A2A): https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/agent-to-agent-a2a/llms.txt
> - AI use cases: https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/ai-use-cases/llms.txt
> - API versioning: https://avalara.ferndocs.com/docs/api-versioning/llms.txt

> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://avalara.ferndocs.com/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://avalara.ferndocs.com/_mcp/server.

# Build

Learn about authentication methods in AvaTax and the differences between Sandbox and Production environments.

This first task describes authenticating in AvaTax using the API, including the available authentication methods. It also provides helpful information about AvaTax's 2 environments: [Sandbox](http://sandbox.admin.avalara.com/) and [Production](http://admin.avalara.com/). If you know the authentication method you're going to use, and you’re ready to authenticate, you can skip to the [Ping the server](https://developer.avalara.com/avatax-for-ap/authentication-in-avatax/authentication-in-avatax/avatax-for-ap/authentication-in-avatax/ping.htm) section.

> **Note**
>
> Part of the **AvaTax for Accounts Payable** integration guide. [Open the full "Build" milestone on Avalara](https://developer.avalara.com/avatax-for-ap/lsm2888829136451/) to see every page in this section.