> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blink15.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Place your first prediction market trade in 5 minutes

## 1. Install the SDK

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Python theme={null}
  pip install py-blink-client
  ```

  ```bash TypeScript theme={null}
  npm install @blink/clob-client
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## 2. Get Testnet USDC

Every new wallet starts with zero balance. Claim free USDC from the testnet faucet:

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  from py_blink_client import ClobClient

  client = ClobClient(host="https://api.blink15.com")
  result = client.claim_faucet("0xYourWalletAddress")
  print(f"Minted 100 USDC! TX: {result['tx_hash']}")
  ```

  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.blink15.com/faucet/claim \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"address": "0xYourWalletAddress"}'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## 3. Create API Credentials

Trading requires HMAC credentials. Create them with your wallet's private key:

```python theme={null}
from py_blink_client import ClobClient

client = ClobClient(
    host="https://api.blink15.com",
    key="0xYOUR_PRIVATE_KEY",
)

creds = client.create_or_derive_api_creds()
print(f"API Key: {creds.api_key}")
print(f"Ready to trade!")
```

<Warning>
  Never share your private key. The SDK only uses it locally to sign the EIP-712 auth message. It is never sent to the server.
</Warning>

## 4. Find a Market

Markets are time-windowed predictions on crypto prices. Find one that's currently active:

```python theme={null}
markets = client.get_markets()
active = [m for m in markets if m.status == "Active"]

market = active[0]
print(f"Symbol: {market.symbol}")
print(f"Closes: {market.close_time}")
print(f"YES token: {market.yes_token_id[:20]}...")
print(f"NO token: {market.no_token_id[:20]}...")
```

Each market has two tokens:

* **YES** (UP) — pays \$1.00 if the price closes above the open price
* **NO** (DOWN) — pays \$1.00 if the price closes below the open price

## 5. Check the Orderbook

```python theme={null}
book = client.get_order_book(market.yes_token_id)

print("--- YES/UP Orderbook ---")
for bid in book["bids"][:3]:
    print(f"  BID: {bid['price']} x {bid['size']}")
for ask in book["asks"][:3]:
    print(f"  ASK: {ask['price']} x {ask['size']}")
```

## 6. Place an Order

Buy 20 UP contracts at 50 cents each (\$10 total cost):

```python theme={null}
from py_blink_client import OrderArgs, Side

order = client.create_and_post_order(OrderArgs(
    token_id=market.yes_token_id,
    side=Side.BUY,
    price=0.50,
    size=20,
))

print(f"Order ID: {order['order_id']}")
print(f"Status: {order['status']}")
```

<Info>
  Orders are fire-and-forget. The HTTP response returns immediately with `status: "pendingnew"`. Match results arrive via WebSocket.
</Info>

## 7. Check Your Orders

```python theme={null}
orders = client.get_orders()
for o in orders:
    print(f"{o.side} {o.original_size} @ {o.price} — {o.status}")
```

## 8. Cancel an Order

```python theme={null}
# Cancel one
client.cancel(order["order_id"])

# Cancel everything
client.cancel_all()
```

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Trading Guide" icon="arrows-rotate" href="/sdk/python-trading">
    Batch orders, post-only, time-in-force
  </Card>

  <Card title="WebSocket Streams" icon="bolt" href="/sdk/python-websocket">
    Real-time orderbook, fills, positions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Market Making" icon="chart-line" href="/guides/market-making">
    Build a market maker with the GLFT model
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core Concepts" icon="book" href="/guides/concepts">
    Markets, tokens, settlement, and auth
  </Card>
</CardGroup>