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

# Python Quickstart

> Parse your first CAS PDF with Python in 5 lines of code.

## Prerequisites

* Python 3.7+
* [Get an API key](https://app.casparser.in/developers)
* Have a CAS PDF ready (or use sandbox key)

## 1. Install

```bash theme={null}
pip install requests
```

## 2. Parse a CAS PDF

```python theme={null}
import requests

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.casparser.in/v4/smart/parse",
    headers={"x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY"},
    files={"file": open("cas.pdf", "rb")},
    data={"password": "YOUR_PAN_NUMBER"}
)

data = response.json()
print(f"Investor: {data['investor']['name']}")
print(f"Total Value: ₹{data['summary']['total_value']:,.0f}")
```

## 3. Try it yourself

<Tip>
  Use `sandbox-with-json-responses` as your API key to test without consuming credits.
</Tip>

## Response structure

```json theme={null}
{
  "meta": {
    "cas_type": "CDSL",
    "statement_period": {
      "from": "2024-01-01",
      "to": "2024-01-31"
    },
    "generated_at": "2024-02-01T10:30:00Z"
  },
  "investor": {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "pan": "ABCDE1234F",
    "email": "john@example.com",
    "mobile": "9876543210"
  },
  "summary": {
    "total_value": 1234567.89,
    "accounts": {
      "demat": { "count": 2, "total_value": 800000.00 },
      "mutual_funds": { "count": 5, "total_value": 400000.00 },
      "insurance": { "count": 1, "total_value": 25000.00 },
      "nps": { "count": 1, "total_value": 9567.89 }
    }
  },
  "demat_accounts": [...],
  "mutual_funds": [...],
  "insurance": {...},
  "nps": [...]
}
```

## Full example with error handling

```python theme={null}
import requests
import os

API_KEY = os.environ.get("CASPARSER_API_KEY")
API_URL = "https://api.casparser.in/v4/smart/parse"

def parse_cas(pdf_path: str, password: str) -> dict:
    """Parse a CAS PDF and return structured data."""
    
    with open(pdf_path, "rb") as f:
        response = requests.post(
            API_URL,
            headers={"x-api-key": API_KEY},
            files={"file": f},
            data={"password": password},
            timeout=60
        )
    
    result = response.json()
    
    if result.get("status") == "failed":
        raise Exception(f"Parsing failed: {result.get('msg')}")
    
    return result

# Usage
if __name__ == "__main__":
    data = parse_cas("cas.pdf", "ABCDE1234F")
    
    # Print summary
    print(f"Investor: {data['investor']['name']}")
    print(f"PAN: {data['investor']['pan']}")
    print(f"Total Value: ₹{data['summary']['total_value']:,.2f}")
    
    # Print demat holdings
    for account in data.get("demat_accounts", []):
        print(f"\nDemat Account: {account['dp_name']} ({account['demat_type']})")
        for equity in account.get("holdings", {}).get("equities", []):
            print(f"  {equity['name']}: {equity['units']} units @ ₹{equity['value']:,.2f}")
```

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Gmail Import" icon="envelope" href="/guides/gmail-inbox">
    Import CAS directly from user email
  </Card>

  <Card title="CDSL OTP Fetch" icon="shield-check" href="/guides/cdsl-fetch">
    Real-time holdings via OTP
  </Card>
</CardGroup>