# Step 1 - Setup a Basic Gateway
In this tutorial we'll set up a simple gateway. We'll use a simple origin API at
[getting-started.zuplo.io](https://getting-started.zuplo.io).
Note - Zuplo also supports building and running your API locally. To learn more
[see the documentation](./local-development.mdx).
1. **Sign-in**
Sign in to [portal.zuplo.com](https://portal.zuplo.com) and create a free
account. Create a new **empty** project (don't import an existing project,
we'll set up git later). Then...
1. Add your first **Route**
Inside your new project, select the **Code** tab (1), choose the
`routes.oas.json` file (2) and click **Add Route** (3)
Your API's first route will appear, with many options. First we'll configure
the route to match specific incoming requests to the gateway:
- **Summary**: Enter a summary, for example `Example Endpoint`.
- **Method**: Leave as `GET`.
- **Path**: Enter `path-0`.
Then we'll specify how the route will invoke the backend origin API, using a
forward handler:
- **Request Handler**: We'll use the
[URL Forward Handler](../handlers/url-forward.mdx) which proxies requests
by "Forwarding to" the same path on specified URL. In this case, enter
`https://echo.zuplo.io`
**Save your changes** - click **Save** at the bottom left, or press **CMD+S**
1. **Test** your route.
You can quickly test this route by clicking the **Test** button next to the
**Path** field. You can use the built in test tool or click the URL to open
in a new tab.
You should receive a 200 OK that says something similar to
```json
{
"url": "https://echo.zuplo.io/path-0",
"method": "GET",
"query": {},
"headers": {
"accept-encoding": "gzip, br",
"connection": "Keep-Alive",
"host": "echo.zuplo.io",
"true-client-ip": "2a06:98c0:3600::103",
"x-forwarded-proto": "https",
"x-real-ip": "2a06:98c0:3600::103",
"zp-rid": "b9822e0f-af32-4002-a6ba-3a899c7f2669",
"zuplo-request-id": "b9822e0f-af32-4002-a6ba-3a899c7f2669"
}
}
```
A secret? Let's try and find out what this API is hiding!
1. Put the base URL in an **Environment Variable**
When working with Zuplo, you'll eventually want each
[environment](/docs/articles/environments) to use a different backend (for
example QA, staging, preview, production etc).
Change the **URL Forward** value to read the base URL from the
[Environment Variables](/docs/articles/environment-variables) system by
setting the value to `${env.BASE_URL}`. We will set the value for `BASE_URL`
next.
Navigate to your project's **Settings** (1) via the navigation bar. Next,
click **Environment Variables** (2) under Project Settings.
Add an Environment Variable (3) called `BASE_URL`. Leave the "Secret"
checkbox unchecked. This is typically not a secret, so there's no need to
hide this from your colleagues.
Save the environment variable, head back to the **Code** tab, click
`routes.oas.json`, and test your route again. You should get back the same
response from Step 2.
**NEXT** Try
[Step 2 - Add Rate Limiting to your API](./step-2-add-rate-limiting.mdx).