> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.syncsnap.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install and configure the server SDK (syncsnap)

# Server SDK installation

The `syncsnap` package is the server-side SDK for SyncSnap. It talks to the SyncSnap API to create jobs, fetch job status, and get presigned upload/download URLs. Your backend uses it so the React SDK can work without ever touching the API key.

## Install

```bash theme={null}
npm install syncsnap
```

## Environment

Set your SyncSnap API key so the SDK can authenticate. Get your key from the [SyncSnap dashboard](https://syncsnap.xyz/dashboard):

```bash theme={null}
SYNCSNAP_TOKEN=your_api_key_here
```

Use `.env` or `.env.local` (and never expose this in the client). The `SyncsnapServer` constructor reads `process.env.SYNCSNAP_TOKEN`.

## What the server does

1. **Create job** — Your route calls `client.createJob()` and returns the job to the frontend.
2. **Get job** — Your route receives a job ID, calls `client.getJob(id)`, and returns the job.
3. **Wait for completion** — Your route (e.g. `/job/:id/wait`) runs `client.waitForJobCompletion(id)` until the job completes or fails, then returns the job and an optional result (e.g. from your `onCompleted` callback).
4. **Get download URL** — For a completed job, your route calls `client.getDownloadUrl(id)` and returns the presigned URL to the frontend.

The React SDK expects these as HTTP endpoints; the syncsnap package provides a [Next.js route handler](/server/nextjs-route-handler) that implements all of them.

## Next steps

* [SyncsnapServer](/server/syncsnap-server) — API and configuration.
* [Next.js route handler](/server/nextjs-route-handler) — Single catch-all route for Next.js App Router.