# Getting started with the Messaging API
To get started with the Messaging API, you first need to create a channel. You can either create this channel on the LINE Developers Console, or you can add it to an existing LINE Official Account. This page explains these two ways.
- Creating a channel on the LINE Developers Console
- Adding a channel to your existing LINE Official Account
What's a channel?
A channel is a communication path for using the features provided by the LINE Platform, such as Messaging API and LINE Login, in the services developed by the provider. To use the LINE Platform, you must first create a channel. Then you can use the various functions of the Messaging API by using the access token and other information associated with this channel.
# Creating a channel on the LINE Developers Console
When you first use the Messaging API, you need to create a channel on the LINE Developers Console. This section explains how to create a channel on the LINE Developers Console.
# Step 1: Log in to the LINE Developers Console
Log in to the LINE Developers Console. For more information, see Log in to LINE Developers in the LINE Developers Console documentation.
Log in to LINE Developers Console
# Step 2: Register as a developer (only on first login)
When you first log in to the LINE Developers Console, enter your name and email address to create a developer account.
# Step 3: Create a new provider
From the Console home, click the Create a new provider button.
![Create a new provider]()
If you can't find the Create a new provider buttonIf you've already created a provider, the Create a new provider button will not be displayed on the Console home. If you want to create another one, click the Create button in the Providers section on the Console home.
![Create button in the Providers section]()
Enter any Provider name on the Create a new provider screen, and click the Create button.
The provider is the entity that offers the service of your app. You can choose to use any name, such as your own name or the name of your company.
![Create a provider]()
# Step 4: Create a channel
In the Channels tab of the provider page you created, click Create a Messaging API channel.
Enter the required information for your channel. "LINE" or a similar string can't be included in the channel name.
The following information on the Messaging API channel settings is displayed to users:
Basic settings tab:
| Items | Screen where information is displayed |
|---|---|
| Channel icon (optional) | LINE chat screen, Icon (if you have LIFF created) |
| Channel name | LINE chat screen |
| Channel description | LIFF permission consent screen (only if you have LIFF created) |
| Privacy policy URL (optional) | LIFF permission consent screen (only if you have LIFF created) |
| Terms of use URL (optional) | LIFF permission consent screen (only if you have LIFF created) |
# Step 5: Confirm a channel
Confirm that a channel has been created.
When you create a channel, a LINE Official Account will be created. The name of this account is the same as the channel. The LINE Official Account corresponding to this channel will also be displayed in the LINE Official Account Manager (opens new window), and you can configure various settings.
# Adding a channel to your existing LINE Official Account
To link your existing LINE Official Account with the Messaging API, go to the LINE Official Account Manager (opens new window) and enable the Messaging API. This creates a channel.
# Step 1: Enable the use of the Messaging API
When enabling the use of the Messaging API in the LINE Official Account Manager (opens new window), a Messaging API channel is created. For more information, see Settings Overview (opens new window).
During the process, you are prompted to select a provider to manage your LINE Official Account. If you plan to link your account to other LINE Login channels or other channels, select the same provider as the channel.
The provider can't be changed later.
# Step 2: Log in to the LINE Developers Console
The created Messaging API channel can be configured in the LINE Developers Console. Log in to your LINE Developers Console with the same account as your LINE Official Account Manager (opens new window).
# Step 3: Register as a developer (only on first login)
When you first log in to the LINE Developers Console, enter your name and email address to create a developer account.
# Step 4: Confirm a channel
Select a provider and confirm that a channel has been created.
# Next steps
Now that the channel has been created, you are ready to use the Messaging API. In the following pages, you will configure the channel to create a bot or deploy a sample bot.