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

# Programmatic trading

> Get a Trading API key and read the instruments and accounts available to your own software.

Use this path for scripts, bots and a trading interface for your own accounts. You do not need a
venue, a group or the back-office tool.

## 1. Get a Trading API key

Open [sandbox API access](https://sandbox.trdrs.co/settings/api), sign in and create a **Trading
API key**. Save the secret on your backend when it is shown. Key management stays in your TRDRS
profile; a Trading API key cannot create other keys or manage a venue.

## 2. Prove an authenticated read

```bash theme={null}
export TRDRS_API_BASE_URL=https://sandbox.trdrs.co
# Supply TRDRS_TRADING_API_KEY through your server-side secret environment.
curl --fail-with-body "$TRDRS_API_BASE_URL/api/instruments" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRDRS_TRADING_API_KEY"
```

Expect HTTP **200** with an `instruments` array. This proves authenticated access without
creating an account or placing a trade.

## 3. Read your accounts

```bash theme={null}
curl --fail-with-body "$TRDRS_API_BASE_URL/api/account/list" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRDRS_TRADING_API_KEY"
```

Only accounts your identity can access are returned. A new user may have no connected account.
Use [the sandbox trading app](https://sandbox.trdrs.co/) to open your own Demo or complete a
supported provider's test login. This is separate from configuring a venue.

Use the returned account identity and its capabilities when building account requests. An API
key is not permission to trade another person's account.

## 4. Add the behavior you need

* [Find symbols](/guides/find-symbols), [read history](/guides/backfill-history) and
  [stream market data](/guides/stream-live-data).
* [Place a test order](/guides/place-your-first-order) on a dedicated sandbox account, then
  [track fills and P\&L](/guides/track-fills-and-pnl). Order examples perform writes; do not run
  them against an account you need to preserve.
* [Build a front end](/guides/build-a-front-end) with credentials kept on its backend.

Read [Sandbox](/sandbox) before choosing a provider. Moving to production requires a separate
production key and explicit production configuration; sandbox credentials and balances do not
transfer.