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

# Create and Deploy a Trading Agent

> Step-by-step guide to deploying an ELUUP AI trading agent: connect a wallet, configure risk, create the agent, and start trading.

This guide walks you through creating and starting an ELUUP AI trading agent from scratch. You will connect a wallet, configure risk rules, create the agent, and then start it so it begins monitoring signals and trading on your behalf.

## Prerequisites

* An active ELUUP AI account and [API key](/authentication)
* A funded wallet on a supported chain (currently Base with chain ID `8453`)
* The wallet private key or connection method ready for signing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect a wallet">
    Before creating an agent, you must register the wallet you want it to trade with. Call [POST /wallets](/api-reference/wallets/connect-wallet) with your wallet address, chain ID (`8453` for Base), and a label.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "address": "0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48",
      "chain_id": 8453,
      "label": "Base Mainnet Wallet"
    }
    ```

    Save the returned `wallet_id`. You will need it in the next step.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the agent">
    Call [POST /agents](/api-reference/agents/create-agent) with the agent name, connected wallet ID, chain ID, and a `risk` object that defines how the agent sizes positions and manages downside.

    The `risk` object requires four fields:

    * `position_size_pct` — fraction of available balance to allocate per trade
    * `stop_loss_pct` — maximum loss before the position is closed
    * `trailing_stop_pct` — distance below the highest price reached before exit
    * `take_profit_pct` — profit target at which the position is closed

    See [Configure an Agent](/agents/configure) for detailed ranges and defaults.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the agent">
    Once the agent is created, call [POST /agents/](/api-reference/agents/start-agent){id}[/start](/api-reference/agents/start-agent) to transition it from `idle` to `active`. The agent will immediately begin monitoring signals for its configured chain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify status">
    Call [GET /agents/](/api-reference/agents/get-agent){id} to confirm the agent state is `active`. You can also check `last_signal_at` and `open_positions_count` to verify it is receiving data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Example: Create an Agent

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash curl theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $ELUUP_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "name": "Base Alpha Agent",
      "wallet_id": "wallet_2nQ9xLpR3vK8wYzA",
      "chain_id": 8453,
      "risk": {
        "position_size_pct": 0.05,
        "stop_loss_pct": 0.07,
        "trailing_stop_pct": 0.04,
        "take_profit_pct": 0.20
      }
    }'
  ```

  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  const response = await fetch("https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents", {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
      Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.ELUUP_API_KEY}`,
      "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      name: "Base Alpha Agent",
      wallet_id: "wallet_2nQ9xLpR3vK8wYzA",
      chain_id: 8453,
      risk: {
        position_size_pct: 0.05,
        stop_loss_pct: 0.07,
        trailing_stop_pct: 0.04,
        take_profit_pct: 0.20,
      },
    }),
  });

  const agent = await response.json();
  console.log(agent.id);
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import os, requests

  agent = requests.post(
      "https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents",
      headers={
          "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['ELUUP_API_KEY']}",
          "Content-Type": "application/json",
      },
      json={
          "name": "Base Alpha Agent",
          "wallet_id": "wallet_2nQ9xLpR3vK8wYzA",
          "chain_id": 8453,
          "risk": {
              "position_size_pct": 0.05,
              "stop_loss_pct": 0.07,
              "trailing_stop_pct": 0.04,
              "take_profit_pct": 0.20,
          },
      },
  ).json()

  print(agent["id"])
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Example Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "agent_7xK3mNpQvL9wYzB2",
  "name": "Base Alpha Agent",
  "wallet_id": "wallet_2nQ9xLpR3vK8wYzA",
  "chain_id": 8453,
  "state": "idle",
  "min_confidence": 0.70,
  "max_positions": 3,
  "risk": {
    "position_size_pct": 0.05,
    "stop_loss_pct": 0.07,
    "trailing_stop_pct": 0.04,
    "take_profit_pct": 0.20
  },
  "open_positions_count": 0,
  "total_trades": 0,
  "win_rate": 0.00,
  "total_pnl_usd": 0.00,
  "created_at": "2024-06-15T09:23:00Z",
  "updated_at": "2024-06-15T09:23:00Z"
}
```

## Start the Agent

After creating the agent, send a start request:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash curl theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents/agent_7xK3mNpQvL9wYzB2/start \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $ELUUP_API_KEY"
  ```

  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  await fetch("https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents/agent_7xK3mNpQvL9wYzB2/start", {
    method: "POST",
    headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.ELUUP_API_KEY}` },
  });
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  requests.post(
      "https://api.eluup.ai/v1/agents/agent_7xK3mNpQvL9wYzB2/start",
      headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['ELUUP_API_KEY']}"},
  )
  ```
</CodeGroup>

A successful start returns the agent object with `state` updated to `active`.