Compare the options
| Mode | Best for | Where credentials live | Onboarding required | Supported exchanges for trading | Live orders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self credentials | You already have exchange API keys and want a stable setup | Stored on Parsec after onboarding | Yes | Polymarket, Kalshi | Yes |
| Managed credentials | You want the fastest path from signup to first trade | Managed by Parsec | Yes | Polymarket | Yes |
| Per-request credentials | You do not want credentials stored on Parsec | Only in each request | No | Polymarket, Kalshi | Yes |
Pick this if…
Self credentials
Pick Self Credentials if:- you already have Kalshi API keys or Polymarket CLOB credentials
- you want to onboard once, then trade repeatedly
- you are comfortable storing exchange credentials with Parsec
Managed credentials
Pick Managed Credentials if:- you want the shortest path to trading on Polymarket
- you do not want to manage wallet creation or signing infrastructure
- you are starting from scratch and want Parsec to handle the wallet flow
Per-request credentials
Pick Per-Request Credentials if:- you do not want Parsec to store exchange credentials
- you prefer ephemeral auth on each private request
- you are building a stricter security flow for yourself or your users
Fastest path to first trade
- Choose a setup mode from the three guides above.
- If the mode requires onboarding, complete it first.
- Find a market with
/markets. - Check liquidity with
/execution-priceor/orderbook. - Place the order through the Order Router.