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

# Quickstart

*From sign in to a first position, and how to collect if you win.*

The whole flow is five steps. 

1. **Sign in** Use email or Google if you want the simple path. A wallet is created for you behind your login and there is no seed phrase to record. Use an external wallet such as MetaMask if you prefer to hold the signing key yourself. Either way, Prophet deploys a Gnosis Safe on Polygon that belongs to you.
2. **Fund your Safe** Send USDC on Polygon directly to your Safe address, or bring any supported token from any supported chain and let the built in cross chain route convert and deliver it as USDC on Polygon. Your balance appears once the transfer confirms on chain.
3. **Pick or create a market and a side** Read the resolution criteria before anything else. The title tells you the question, but the criteria tell you exactly what will make it settle YES or NO. Then decide whether the quoted price is too high or too low relative to your own view.
4. **Place the trade** Use a market order to fill immediately at the best available price, or a limit order to name your own price and wait. You sign the order, it is matched, and settlement executes.
5. **Exit or redeem** Sell at any point before resolution to lock in a gain or cut a loss. If you hold to resolution and your side wins, redeem your shares and the USDC lands back in your Safe at one dollar per winning share.

## Before your first trade

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Wallet users: send funds to the Safe, not to your wallet**

Your Safe is a different address from your MetaMask, Rabby or Ledger address. USDC sent to your external wallet address will not appear as a Prophet balance. Copy the Safe address from the deposit screen.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Start small on your first cross chain deposit**

Bridging routes through third party infrastructure and bridge fees plus source chain gas are deducted from the amount you send. Run a small deposit first to see exactly what arrives.
{% endhint %}

## What to expect on timing

| Action                   | Typical wait                         | Why                                                          |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Deposit appears          | Minutes                              | Polygon confirmation, then the app reads the confirmed event |
| Trade fills              | Minutes                              | Signed off chain, settled on chain                           |
| Resolution begins        | 3 hours after resolution time        | A deliberate buffer so sources publish confirmed outcomes    |
| Payout becomes claimable | 12 hours after the outcome is posted | A review window enforced by the contract                     |
| Withdrawal arrives       | Minutes                              | A single Safe transfer on Polygon                            |

Prophet is on chain first, which means nothing appears in the interface until the chain confirms it. If a balance looks right but a trade will not go through, the interface is usually still catching up to on chain reality. Give it a moment and refresh.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Size positions you can afford to lose entirely**

A losing share is worth exactly zero. Contracts carry risk, thin markets fill badly, and in rare cases a market that cannot be resolved returns fifty cents per share regardless of what you paid. Read [Risks](file:///8729275/safety/risks.md) before committing size.
{% endhint %}


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