diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3369bad9..2043c597 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -9,3 +9,10 @@ eval_results/
 eval_data/
 *.egg-info/
 .env
+
+# API Database
+api_database.db
+api_database.db-*
+*.db
+*.db-shm
+*.db-wal
diff --git a/api/API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md b/api/API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
index 0c4ee0d9..d25e63f1 100644
--- a/api/API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
+++ b/api/API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
@@ -274,13 +274,13 @@ Future improvements could include:
 The FastAPI Trading Agents API is fully implemented and ready for use. It provides a robust, scalable foundation for frontend applications to interact with the TradingAgents multi-agent system.
 
 ### Getting Started
-1. Read `API_QUICKSTART.md` for setup instructions
-2. Check `api/README.md` for full documentation
-3. Run `api/example_client.py` to see it in action
+1. Read `START_API.md` or `API_QUICKSTART.md` for setup instructions
+2. Check `README.md` for full documentation
+3. Run `example_client.py` to see it in action
 4. Start building your frontend!
 
 ### Support
-- API Documentation: http://localhost:8000/docs
-- Project README: `api/README.md`
-- Quick Start: `API_QUICKSTART.md`
+- API Documentation: http://localhost:8001/docs
+- Project README: `README.md`
+- Quick Start: `START_API.md` or `API_QUICKSTART.md`
 
diff --git a/api/QUICKSTART.md b/api/QUICKSTART.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6719c321
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/QUICKSTART.md
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Trading Agents API - Quickest Start
+
+## One-Command Setup
+
+```bash
+cd TradingAgents && pip install -r requirements.txt && python -m api.main
+```
+
+That's it! The API auto-initializes on first run.
+
+## What Happens on First Run
+
+1. ✅ Database is created automatically
+2. ✅ Default API key is generated
+3. ✅ API key is displayed in the console
+4. ✅ Server starts at http://localhost:8001
+
+**Save the API key from the console output!**
+
+## Test It
+
+```bash
+# Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the key from console
+curl -X POST "http://localhost:8001/api/v1/analyses" \
+  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{
+    "ticker": "AAPL",
+    "analysis_date": "2025-10-21",
+    "selected_analysts": ["market"],
+    "research_depth": 1
+  }'
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- View interactive docs: http://localhost:8001/docs
+- Read full guide: `START_API.md`
+- Manage API keys: `python -m api.cli_admin list-keys`
+
diff --git a/api/START_API.md b/api/START_API.md
index 475e354d..ebb97015 100644
--- a/api/START_API.md
+++ b/api/START_API.md
@@ -1,83 +1,96 @@
-# Quick Start - Trading Agents API
+# Trading Agents API - Quick Start
 
-## 1. Install Dependencies (if not already done)
+Get your API running in **2 simple steps**!
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Python 3.10+
+- Environment variables set (OPENAI_API_KEY, ALPHA_VANTAGE_API_KEY)
+
+## Setup
+
+### Step 1: Install Dependencies
 
 ```bash
 cd TradingAgents
 pip install -r requirements.txt
 ```
 
-## 2. Initialize Database & Create API Key
-
-```bash
-# Initialize the database
-python -m api.cli_admin init-database
-
-# Create your first API key
-python -m api.cli_admin create-key "My Development Key"
-```
-
-**IMPORTANT**: Save the API key that's displayed! You'll need it for all requests.
-
-## 3. Start the API
+### Step 2: Start the API
 
 ```bash
 python -m api.main
 ```
 
-Or use the startup script:
-```bash
-./run_api.sh
+**That's it!** 🎉
+
+### First Run Auto-Setup
+
+On first run, the API automatically:
+- ✅ Creates the database
+- ✅ Generates a default API key
+- ✅ Displays the key in console logs
+
+**SAVE THE API KEY!** You'll see output like this:
+
+```
+======================================================================
+FIRST RUN DETECTED - Setting up Trading Agents API
+======================================================================
+
+✓ Database initialized successfully!
+✓ Default API key created!
+
+======================================================================
+YOUR API KEY (save this, it won't be shown again):
+
+  BgA2YyMlxYus2aIGJ5KGCPQO-q8k05WxTirayVZgPrM
+
+======================================================================
+Use this key in the X-API-Key header for all API requests.
+Manage keys with: python -m api.cli_admin
+======================================================================
 ```
 
-The API will start at: **http://localhost:8001**
+## Test Your API
 
-## 4. Test It
+Open your browser:
+- **Interactive Docs**: http://localhost:8001/docs
+- **Alternative Docs**: http://localhost:8001/redoc
 
-Open your browser to see the interactive API documentation:
-- **Swagger UI**: http://localhost:8001/docs
-- **ReDoc**: http://localhost:8001/redoc
-
-## 5. Create Your First Analysis
-
-Using curl (replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the key from step 2):
+Or test with curl:
 
 ```bash
 curl -X POST "http://localhost:8001/api/v1/analyses" \
-  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
+  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE" \
   -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
   -d '{
     "ticker": "AAPL",
     "analysis_date": "2025-10-21",
-    "selected_analysts": ["market", "news"],
+    "selected_analysts": ["market"],
     "research_depth": 1
   }'
 ```
 
-You'll get back an `analysis_id`. Use it to check status:
+## Alternative Startup Methods
 
 ```bash
-curl "http://localhost:8001/api/v1/analyses/YOUR_ANALYSIS_ID/status" \
-  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"
-```
-
-## Configuration (Optional)
-
-Set environment variables before starting:
-
-```bash
-# Maximum concurrent analyses (default: 4)
-export MAX_CONCURRENT_ANALYSES=8
-
-# Your LLM API keys (if not already set)
-export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-key"
-export ALPHA_VANTAGE_API_KEY="your-key"
-
-# Then start the API
+# Option 1: Direct Python (default port 8001)
 python -m api.main
+
+# Option 2: Startup script
+./run_api.sh
+
+# Option 3: Custom port
+API_PORT=8002 python -m api.main
+
+# Option 4: Using uvicorn directly
+uvicorn api.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8001
 ```
 
-## Common Commands
+## Managing API Keys
+
+After initial setup, manage keys with the admin CLI:
 
 ```bash
 # List all API keys
@@ -86,29 +99,57 @@ python -m api.cli_admin list-keys
 # Create a new API key
 python -m api.cli_admin create-key "Frontend App"
 
-# Revoke an API key (use ID from list-keys)
+# Revoke an API key
 python -m api.cli_admin revoke-key 1
+
+# Activate a revoked key
+python -m api.cli_admin activate-key 1
 ```
 
-## Full Documentation
+## Configuration (Optional)
 
-- Quick Start: `API_QUICKSTART.md`
-- Full API Docs: `api/README.md`
-- Implementation Details: `API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md`
+Set these environment variables before starting:
+
+```bash
+# Maximum concurrent analyses (default: 4)
+export MAX_CONCURRENT_ANALYSES=8
+
+# Custom database location
+export API_DATABASE_URL="sqlite:///./my_custom.db"
+
+# Custom port
+export API_PORT=8002
+```
 
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 **"Invalid or inactive API key"**
-- Make sure you're using the exact key from step 2
-- Check: `python -m api.cli_admin list-keys`
+- Use the exact key from the first-run console output
+- Check active keys: `python -m api.cli_admin list-keys`
+
+**Port already in use**
+- Change port: `API_PORT=8002 python -m api.main`
+
+**Database already exists but no API key**
+- Create one: `python -m api.cli_admin create-key "My Key"`
 
 **Import errors**
-- Make sure you're in the TradingAgents directory
+- Ensure you're in the TradingAgents directory
 - Use: `python -m api.main` (not `python api/main.py`)
 
-**Port 8001 already in use**
-- Change port: `API_PORT=8002 python -m api.main`
-- Or: `python -m uvicorn api.main:app --port 8002`
+## Full Documentation
 
-That's it! Your API is ready to use. 🚀
+- Quick Start: `QUICKSTART.md` (one-command setup)
+- This Guide: `START_API.md` (you are here)
+- Detailed Guide: `API_QUICKSTART.md`
+- Full API Docs: `README.md`
+- Implementation: `API_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md`
 
+## What's Next?
+
+1. Check out the interactive docs at http://localhost:8001/docs
+2. Try creating an analysis via the API
+3. Build your frontend integration
+4. Read the full documentation in `README.md`
+
+Your Trading Agents API is ready! 🚀
diff --git a/api/main.py b/api/main.py
index 9c944e54..14903293 100644
--- a/api/main.py
+++ b/api/main.py
@@ -30,11 +30,53 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 @asynccontextmanager
 async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     """Lifespan context manager for startup and shutdown events."""
+    import os
+    from pathlib import Path
+    
     # Startup
     logger.info("Initializing Trading Agents API...")
+    
+    # Check if this is first run (database doesn't exist)
+    db_path = Path(os.getenv("API_DATABASE_URL", "sqlite:///./api_database.db").replace("sqlite:///", ""))
+    is_first_run = not db_path.exists()
+    
+    # Initialize database
     init_db()
+    
+    # If first run, create a default API key
+    if is_first_run:
+        from api.auth import create_api_key
+        from api.database import SessionLocal
+        
+        logger.info("=" * 70)
+        logger.info("FIRST RUN DETECTED - Setting up Trading Agents API")
+        logger.info("=" * 70)
+        
+        db = SessionLocal()
+        try:
+            plain_key, db_key = create_api_key(db, "Default API Key")
+            logger.info("")
+            logger.info("✓ Database initialized successfully!")
+            logger.info("✓ Default API key created!")
+            logger.info("")
+            logger.info("=" * 70)
+            logger.info("YOUR API KEY (save this, it won't be shown again):")
+            logger.info("")
+            logger.info(f"  {plain_key}")
+            logger.info("")
+            logger.info("=" * 70)
+            logger.info("Use this key in the X-API-Key header for all API requests.")
+            logger.info("Manage keys with: python -m api.cli_admin")
+            logger.info("=" * 70)
+            logger.info("")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to create default API key: {e}")
+        finally:
+            db.close()
+    
     get_executor()
     logger.info("Trading Agents API started successfully")
+    logger.info(f"API Documentation: http://localhost:{os.getenv('API_PORT', '8001')}/docs")
     
     yield
     
@@ -92,7 +134,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     import uvicorn
     import os
     
-    port = int(os.getenv("API_PORT", "8002"))  # Default to 8001 instead of 8000
+    port = int(os.getenv("API_PORT", "8002"))
     
     uvicorn.run(
         "api.main:app",
diff --git a/api_database.db b/api_database.db
index 66e359b1..0cb53a10 100644
Binary files a/api_database.db and b/api_database.db differ
diff --git a/run_api.sh b/run_api.sh
index cd953f24..f2bfa9ba 100755
--- a/run_api.sh
+++ b/run_api.sh
@@ -3,13 +3,12 @@
 
 echo "Starting Trading Agents API..."
 echo ""
-echo "Make sure you have:"
-echo "1. Installed dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt"
-echo "2. Initialized database: python -m api.cli_admin init-database"
-echo "3. Created an API key: python -m api.cli_admin create-key 'My Key'"
+echo "First time running? The API will automatically:"
+echo "  • Initialize the database"
+echo "  • Create a default API key (save it!)"
 echo ""
-echo "API will be available at: http://localhost:8001"
-echo "API Documentation: http://localhost:8001/docs"
+echo "API will be available at: http://localhost:8002"
+echo "API Documentation: http://localhost:8002/docs"
 echo ""
 
 cd "$(dirname "$0")"