There are two interfaces to CouchDB, the built-in Futon web-based interface and the CouchDB API accessed through the HTTP REST interface. The former is the simplest way to view and monitor your CouchDB installation and perform a number of basic database and system operations. More information on using the Futon interface can be found in Section 1.1, “Using Futon”.

The primary way to interact with the CouchDB API is to use a client library or other interface that provides access to the underlying functionality through your chosen language or platform. However, since the API is supported through HTTP REST, you can interact with your CouchDB with any solution that supports the HTTP protocol.

There are a number of different tools that talk the HTTP protocol and allow you to set and configure the necessary information. One tool for this that allows for access from the command-line is curl. See Section 1.2, “Using curl”.