> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://raiden-4.gitbook.io/raiden.wtf.docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://raiden-4.gitbook.io/raiden.wtf.docs/bolt-low-latency/quickstart.md).

# QuickStart

Get up and running with Raiden Bolt in under 2 minutes

## 1. Create Your Account

Go to [raiden.wtf/dashboard](https://raiden.wtf/dashboard) and sign in with Discord.

## 2. Link or Register

* **New user**: Click **Register** to create a new Raiden account. This generates your API key on the free **Beta** plan.
* **Existing user**: If you already have a Raiden API key, click **Link API Key** to connect it to your Discord account.

## 3. Get Your API Key

Navigate to **Raiden Bolt** in the dashboard sidebar. Your API key is displayed on the Connect tab. Click the eye icon to reveal it, and copy it.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Keep your API key secret. Never share it publicly or commit it to version control.
{% endhint %}

## 4. Send Your First Transaction

Pick the edge region closest to your infrastructure and send a transaction:

```bash
curl -X POST http://fra.bolt.raiden.wtf/api/v1/sendTransaction \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "api-x-token: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "sendTransaction",
    "params": ["BASE64_ENCODED_TRANSACTION"]
  }'
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
Your signed transaction **must include a `SystemProgram.transfer`** to one of the [Raiden tip addresses](/raiden.wtf.docs/bolt-low-latency/tip-addresses.md) (minimum 0.001 SOL). Transactions without a valid tip are rejected.
{% endhint %}

## 5. Verify the Response

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "result": "5VERv8NrdMSiGjLEoGKPqmCsR4WxgEfnT...",
  "id": 1
}
```

The `result` field is your Solana transaction signature. Look it up on [Solscan](https://solscan.io) or [Solana Explorer](https://explorer.solana.com).

## Next Steps

* [Submit Transactions](https://github.com/Biedr/raiden-docs/tree/master/Bolt/submit-transactions.md) — Choose between JSON-RPC, Binary, or QUIC
* [Endpoints & Configs](/raiden.wtf.docs/bolt-low-latency/endpoints.md) — Pick the best region
* [Tip Addresses](/raiden.wtf.docs/bolt-low-latency/tip-addresses.md) — Required tip configuration