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

# Quickstart

> Get connected to Autheo Chain in under 5 minutes: add the network to MetaMask and send your first transaction.

This guide gets you connected to Autheo Chain in under 5 minutes. Connect to **Mainnet** to use the live network, or **Testnet** if you're a developer exploring the chain before deploying.

## What you need

* A web browser with [MetaMask installed](https://metamask.io/)
* 2 minutes

## Step 1: Add Autheo to MetaMask

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the network selector">
        Click the network name in the upper-left corner of MetaMask (shows "Ethereum Mainnet" by default).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add a custom network">
        Scroll to the bottom of the network list and click **Add a custom network**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter network details">
        Fill in the following:

        | Field              | Value                              |
        | ------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
        | Network name       | Autheo                             |
        | Default RPC URL    | `https://rpc1.autheo.com`          |
        | Chain ID           | `2127`                             |
        | Currency symbol    | `THEO`                             |
        | Block explorer URL | `https://evm-explorer.autheo.com/` |
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save and switch">
        Click **Save**. MetaMask will switch to Autheo Mainnet automatically.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet (developers)">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the network selector">
        Click the network name in the upper-left corner of MetaMask (shows "Ethereum Mainnet" by default).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add a custom network">
        Scroll to the bottom of the network list and click **Add a custom network**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter network details">
        Fill in the following:

        | Field              | Value                              |
        | ------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
        | Network name       | Autheo Testnet                     |
        | Default RPC URL    | `https://testnet-rpc1.autheo.com`  |
        | Chain ID           | `785`                              |
        | Currency symbol    | `THEO`                             |
        | Block explorer URL | `https://evm-explorer.autheo.com/` |
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save and switch">
        Click **Save**. MetaMask will switch to Autheo Testnet automatically.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    After connecting, get free test THEO from the [Autheo Testnet Faucet](https://testnet-faucet.autheo.com/). Paste your `0x...` wallet address and request up to **2 THEO** per request (limit: two per 24-hour period).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 2: Verify your connection

After a few seconds (target block time is \~5 seconds), your balance should appear in MetaMask. You can also search your `0x...` address on the [EVM block explorer](https://evm-explorer.autheo.com/) to confirm.

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Build a dApp or smart contract" href="/developers/overview" icon="file-code">
    Deploy Solidity contracts with Remix or Hardhat — no CLI required
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run a validator node" href="/nodes/node-setup/validator-checklist" icon="server">
    Step-by-step setup from license acquisition to your first reward
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delegate tokens" href="/web-apps/validator-portal/delegation" icon="coins">
    Stake THEO to an existing validator with a Prime or Core license
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore the APIs" href="/apis/overview" icon="plug">
    JSON-RPC and REST API reference
  </Card>
</CardGroup>