---
type: api
title: Get CAT help
description: Get help for the CAT APIs.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch-serverless/operation/operation-cat-help
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch-serverless/operation/operation-cat-help
products:
  - Elasticsearch Serverless
---

# Get CAT help

## Paths

- `GET` `/_cat`

## Description

Get help for the CAT APIs.

## Authentication

- Api key: `Authorization: <value>`
  Elasticsearch APIs use key-based authentication.
  You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
  For example:
  
  
  ```
  curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
    -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
  ```
  
  For more information about where to find API keys for the Elasticsearch endpoint (${ES_URL}) for a project, go to [Get started with Elasticsearch Serverless](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/search/serverless-elasticsearch-get-started).

## Response

`application/json`

Type: `object`

## Code examples

#### Console

```console
GET /_cat
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X GET "${ELASTICSEARCH_URL}/_cat" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
```