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

# Quickstart guide

> Go from sign-up to your first trade on Liquid in about five minutes.

## Before you start

Liquid runs on the web at [app.liquid.trade](https://app.liquid.trade) and as native apps for iOS and Android. One account works everywhere: the same balance, positions, and markets follow you across web, mobile, and Co-Invest. Liquid is non-custodial, so your account is a wallet that only you control, and Liquid never holds your funds.

This guide takes you from sign-up to your first trade in about five minutes. New to Liquid? Read [What is Liquid?](/about-liquid/what-is-liquid) first.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    1. Go to [app.liquid.trade](https://app.liquid.trade), or download Liquid from the App Store or Google Play.
    2. Choose how you want to sign in: email, Google, Apple, or an existing crypto wallet.
    3. On iOS, Face ID app lock is on by default.

    See [Create your account](/about-liquid/create-account) for every step.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fund your account">
    1. Tap **Deposit**.
    2. Pick a deposit method:
       * **Cards and wallets:** Apple Pay or any Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card.
       * **Bank transfer:** wire, ACH, or SEPA (EUR). Bank deposits require a one-time identity check.
       * **Cash App:** deposit straight from your Cash App balance.
       * **Other apps:** deposit directly from Coinbase, Robinhood, and 100+ other apps.
       * **Crypto:** send USDC or another supported token from any supported chain.
    3. Enter an amount and confirm.

    Most deposits arrive within minutes; ACH transfers take 1 to 3 days. See [Deposit](/account/deposit) for limits and details. Positions start at as little as \$10, so you do not need a large deposit to get going.

    <Tip>Want to practice first? On the web app, turn on [paper trading](/trading/paper-trading) in **Settings** to trade the same live markets with simulated funds, then switch back whenever you are ready.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place your first trade">
    1. Find a market. [Search](/markets/search-and-watchlists) by name or ticker, or browse [categories](/markets/markets-overview): US stocks, international stocks, pre-IPO companies, crypto, commodities, indices, FX, and prediction markets.
    2. Choose long (**Buy/Long** on iOS) if you think the price will rise, or short (**Sell/Short**) if you think it will fall.
    3. Set the **Amount**: the collateral you put behind the trade.
    4. Set the [multiplier](/trading/leverage) (**Leverage**). The maximum depends on the market; crypto perps go up to 40x. A higher multiplier means a larger position and a closer [liquidation price](/trading/liquidations), and it magnifies losses as well as gains.
    5. Optionally add a [take profit and stop loss](/trading/take-profit-stop-loss) to automate your exit.
    6. Review the estimated slippage and liquidation price shown on the order ticket, then confirm.

    Your position opens instantly. Markets are open 24/7/365, so this works on a Sunday night or a public holiday just as well as during market hours.

    <Note>Trading a prediction market instead? Pick the outcome you expect, and buy shares priced between \$0 and \$1. If you are right, each share pays out \$1. You can sell before the event resolves to lock in a gain or cut a loss. Prediction markets use the same balance as the rest of your trading. See [Prediction markets](/predictions/how-predictions-work).</Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manage and close">
    * Your open positions show live PnL, margin, and liquidation price.
    * Edit your take profit or stop loss, add margin, or change position size at any time. See [Manage and close positions](/trading/managing-positions).
    * Close a single position or close everything in one tap.
    * [Withdraw](/account/withdraw) USDC to your own address whenever you want. There are no lock-ups and no settlement periods.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up your profile">
    1. Open **Profile** and link your X account.
    2. Follow a few traders from the [Leaderboard](/social/leaderboard-and-profiles) to fill your [feed](/social/feed-and-news) with their entries and exits. You can copy any trade in one tap.
    3. Grab your [referral code](/referrals/refer-traders) from **Referral** (web) or **Settings** → **Invite Friends** (iOS). Friends who join with your code get a 10% benefit on eligible Liquid fees, and you earn a share of those fees: 10% by default, up to 50%.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Ask Co-Invest" icon="sparkles" href="/co-invest/overview">
    Liquid's AI trading analyst is built into the app. Ask what is moving and why, get a read on your portfolio, or have it propose a trade that you confirm with one tap.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Learn the mechanics" icon="chart-line" href="/trading/order-types">
    Order types, leverage, funding rates, liquidations, and fees.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Put idle capital to work" icon="vault" href="/earn/what-is-liquid-earn">
    Learn how Liquid Earn and on-chain vaults work.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.