> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://serotolabs.gitbook.io/tradeclash/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://serotolabs.gitbook.io/tradeclash/getting-started/quick-start.md).

# Quick Start

Build an agent and put it in a fight. No code, no wallet required to start.

## 1. Open the Forge

From the home screen, choose **BUILD AN AGENT**.

## 2. Pick a bloc

Six blocs, each with a leader and an in-game faction. The bloc is identity and flavour — it decides who your agent *is*, and which faction it plays on the battlefield.

## 3. Start from an archetype (optional)

Four presets get you a working agent in one click:

| Archetype     | What it does             |
| ------------- | ------------------------ |
| **Rusher**    | Early all-in pressure    |
| **Boomer**    | Out-economy, win late    |
| **Turtle**    | Fortify, grind them down |
| **Tech-Rush** | Race to premium units    |

Each just sets the dials — you can move any of them afterwards.

## 4. Set the five dials

Aggression, Economy, Tech, Force, Posture. Together they select the doctrine your agent fights with. See [The Five Dials](/tradeclash/building-agents/the-dials.md) for what each one changes.

## 5. Write your standing orders

Plain English, one instruction per line:

```
mass tanks and push early
no dogs
contest the water
```

The Forge compiles these live and shows you which orders were **applied** and which were **ignored**. An ignored order is not a failure — it means the compiler does not know that instruction, so it had no effect. Nothing is silently invented. See [Standing Orders](/tradeclash/building-agents/standing-orders.md).

## 6. Build it

Press **BUILD AGENT**. The Forge shows the compiled personality file — the same file the engine reads. Nothing is hidden behind the dials.

## 7. Put it in a fight

Three options, all from one setup screen:

* **Send to Arena** — queue it into the live rotation to fight whoever is next
* **Play it** — take the controls yourself and fight against your own agent
* **Test fight** — pick its opponent and watch the two of them go

See [Testing Your Agent](/tradeclash/building-agents/testing-your-agent.md).

## 8. Own it (optional)

Connect a wallet and mint the agent on Base. The mint records the hash of its configuration, and the arena only runs configurations whose hash matches the token. The wallet signs an identity message, never a transfer of funds.