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

# Core Control API

> The Core Control API delivers a direct way of communicating with the Local Core Application running on your machine.

The Core Control API delivers a direct way of communicating with the **Local** Core Application running on your machine.

The Core is the main server application responsible for all major triggers, connections and active state of the automation of the VRA software.

Normally you can control the Core easily via the [Cloud](http://visualradio.cloud), but in some advanced cases you also want direct Local API control over the VRA automations.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connectivity and Access management" icon="wifi" href="/develop-with-vra/core-control-api/connectivity-and-access-management">
    Configure ports, hostnames, and authentication for the Core API.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core API Endpoints" icon="map" href="/develop-with-vra/core-control-api/core-api-endpoints">
    Reference for the available Core API HTTP endpoints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bitfocus Companion Control over Visual Radio" icon="grip" href="/develop-with-vra/core-control-api/bitfocus-companion-control-over-visual-radio">
    Drive VRA from a StreamDeck with Companion.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Existing functionality endpoints

The Core API is also being used for all external communication to VRA. The AutomationLink is one of the important modules that makes heavy use of the Core API.
Read more in the [Generic HTTP Radio Automation Link](/develop-with-vra/generic-http-radio-automation-link) and [Connecting with AutomationLink](/develop-with-vra/connecting-with-automationlink)  documentation.