> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/parallels-ras-apis/ras-rest-api/getting-started.md).

# Getting started

Applications communicate with Parallels RAS by sending HTTP or HTTPS requests. Parallels RAS answers with a JSON file in a response to every HTTP request.

All HTTP requests that you will use to retrieve and manage Parallels RAS resources have the following base structure:

`https://<API-host>/api/<URI>`

The parameters in the above URL are:

* `<API-host>` is the IP address or FQDN of the server on which the RAS Web Administration Service is installed.
* `<URI>` is a path to a REST resource that you would like to work with.


---

# Agent Instructions
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## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/ras-admin-guide/parallels-ras-21-administrators-guide/parallels-ras-apis/ras-rest-api/getting-started.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.
