> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nocktrade.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nocktrade.xyz/getting-started/quickstart.md).

# Quickstart

From nothing to a live order in five steps. Steps 1 and 2 need no account at all.

## 1. Browse

Open [app.nocktrade.xyz](https://app.nocktrade.xyz). Every market, chart, order book and price is live from Lighter — no wallet, no sign-up, no cookies wall. Click the market name in the top rail to open the switcher: search, filter by class (Perps, Spot, RWA), and star favourites.

## 2. Read the ticket

Pick a market and play with the order ticket on the right. Side, size, leverage, limit price — the cost ledger below recalculates on every keystroke. Nothing you do here touches the exchange until the final button; the ledger is exactly the maths the order will carry.

## 3. Connect and fund

* Connect your wallet (top right). NockTrade runs against Lighter mainnet, whose L1 is Ethereum.
* If your address has no Lighter account yet, the terminal will say so. A Lighter account is created by your first USDC deposit — see [Your Lighter account](/getting-started/account.md). There is no registration form; the deposit is the registration.
* Once the deposit lands, the terminal detects your account automatically: the wallet pill shows your account status and the blotter starts streaming your positions and balances.

## 4. Enable trading

Press "enable trading" in the ticket. Two wallet signatures happen, once per device:

1. **Vault signature** — derives the encryption key for a fresh Lighter API key that is generated in your browser. The API key never leaves your device; see [Custody and keys](/concepts/custody.md).
2. **Registration signature** — registers that key's public half on your Lighter account, so the venue accepts orders signed by this browser.

Both signatures are messages, not transactions. They cost no gas and move no funds.

## 5. Trade

* Choose limit or market. For a first test, place a small limit order a few percent away from the mid price.
* Read the ledger one more time — total debited is what actually leaves your balance.
* Submit. The order is signed in your browser and routed to Lighter; the transaction hash appears under the button.
* Your order shows up in the blotter's Orders tab. "Cancel all" per market sweeps your resting orders off that book.

## Requirements

* A browser wallet (MetaMask or compatible) on Ethereum mainnet.
* USDC on Lighter (bridged from Ethereum via the deposit flow).
* A jurisdiction where trading on Lighter is permitted — see [Risk and restrictions](/concepts/risk.md).


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