# API Data Sources

Use this page to understand the data-source records Revenium creates for instrumented applications, provider accounts, and external API sources. For the first OTLP setup, start with [API Data Sources & OTLP](/get-started/quickstart/api-data-sources-and-otlp.md). For full endpoint details, use [OTLP Integration](/integrations/otlp-integration.md).

## What a Data Source Represents

A data source identifies where usage data enters Revenium. It can represent:

* An application or service emitting telemetry through an SDK or OTLP exporter.
* A provider account connected for billing and historical usage import.
* A direct API integration that sends metering payloads to Revenium.

The data source gives Revenium a stable place to attach environment, owner, version, and metering identifiers. Those identifiers are then used by logs, traces, charts, alerts, and cost attribution.

## Fields You Will Use

| Field       | Use it for                                                                      |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Source type | Distinguishes AI, provider, API, or other source categories.                    |
| Source name | Human-readable name shown in the product.                                       |
| Environment | Separates production, staging, development, and other contexts.                 |
| Metering ID | Identifier used when configuring SDKs, agents, middleware, or external sources. |
| Version     | Optional version marker for source-level tracking.                              |

## Where To Go Next

| Need                                       | Page                                                            |
| ------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Create or manage API keys                  | [API Key Permissions](/integrations/api-key-permissions.md)     |
| Add metering to app code                   | [SDK Setup](/integrations/sdk-setup.md)                         |
| Send OpenTelemetry spans, logs, or metrics | [OTLP Integration](/integrations/otlp-integration.md)           |
| Connect provider billing data              | [Provider Integrations](/integrations/provider-integrations.md) |
| Validate direct API payloads               | [API Reference](https://revenium.readme.io)                     |


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