# Query The Database

After your deployment process is finished, you can interact with your database using a GraphQL explorer tool. To access your database through the GraphQL explorer, you will require an access key. To generate this access key, you need to open your Blockflow account. 

Follow [this](https://docs.blockflow.network/guides/creating-an-api/how-to-get-api-key) guide, which contains step-by-step instructions on how to generate the access key from within your Blockflow account dashboard or settings.

***

### GraphQL Explorer

After you've generated your access key, navigate to the "APIs" section within your account. There, you'll find an option to build a new API. 

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WKI4iN0gfSv8mfprvkZT/blobs/T8jpSZ4OQVguWUwDU4em/Screenshot%202024-06-17%20at%209.12.50%20PM.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When presented with the dialog box, select the "GraphQL API" option and click the "Start Exploring" button.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WKI4iN0gfSv8mfprvkZT/blobs/3TsrvOmd23g2mU7M0vH1/Screenshot%202024-06-17%20at%209.13.11%20PM.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You will then be redirected to the Apollo Playground, which is a GraphQL integrated development environment (IDE). In this sandbox, all of your databases will be pre-loaded and available for exploration.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/WKI4iN0gfSv8mfprvkZT/blobs/gngciexwGnQ9TLtwW4p5/Screenshot%202024-06-17%20at%209.13.56%20PM.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can use the Apollo Playground to query your databases, test out different queries, and experiment with the GraphQL API in a safe and isolated environment.