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

# Quick Start

> Get trading on Theta Labs in under 5 minutes.

This guide walks you through signing in, funding your account, and placing your first options and spot trades.

<Warning>
  Trading on Theta Labs uses **real money**. When you buy an option or spot shares, the amount you spend is at risk.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in">
    On the Theta Labs landing page, click **Start Trading** and sign in with your **email**, **Google account**, or an **external wallet**. Theta Labs uses [Privy](https://privy.io) for authentication — no browser extension or seed phrase is required. An embedded wallet is created for you automatically.

    After signing in for the first time, a short onboarding asks for your name (and optionally your phone number) plus a couple of quick questions about your trading background.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable trading">
    The first time you open your wallet, you'll be asked to complete a one-time **Enable trading** approval. This lets Theta Labs convert your deposits and place your trades instantly. Your keys stay with you — the approval is revocable at any time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deposit USDC on Polygon">
    Click the cash pill in the top navigation (or **Deposit** on your Portfolio page) to open the **Wallet** modal. Scan the QR code or copy your Polygon deposit address, then send **USDC on the Polygon network** from your exchange or wallet.

    Your deposit converts to **pUSD** — your tradeable balance — automatically. The modal shows live progress: *Deposit detected… → Finalizing… → Converting your deposit to pUSD…* Conversion typically completes in well under a couple of minutes.

    <Warning>
      Send **USDC on Polygon only**. Other tokens or networks are not supported.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place your first options trade">
    You land on the **Options** page by default. Pick a market card and choose **Yes Calls** or **No Calls**, then:

    1. Select an expiry from the dropdown.
    2. Tap an **Ask** price in the chain to add that strike to your ticket.
    3. Review the payoff chart, **Max profit**, **Max loss**, and **Breakeven**.
    4. Click **Buy for \$X** — your order fills instantly at the quoted price.

    Your maximum loss is the premium you paid. See [Options Trading](/trading/options-trading) for the full guide.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Or place a spot trade">
    Switch to the **Spot** tab in the navigation to browse Polymarket markets. Open a market, pick **Yes** or **No** (the buttons show the live price in cents), enter a dollar amount or share count, and click **Buy**.

    Your positions appear on the **Portfolio** page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where to go next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Options trading" icon="chart-line" href="/trading/options-trading">
    Yes Calls, No Calls, strikes, expiries, and how settlement works.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spot trading" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left" href="/trading/spot-trading">
    How YES/NO shares work and how orders are filled.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deposits & withdrawals" icon="wallet" href="/portfolio/deposit-withdraw">
    Funding your account and withdrawing USDC to any Polygon address.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rewards & referrals" icon="gift" href="/platform/rewards">
    Free-share rewards for your first deposit, streaks, and referrals.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>