> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://velocity-1.gitbook.io/velocity-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://velocity-1.gitbook.io/velocity-docs/getting-started/first-trade.md).

# Place your first trade

## 1. Pick a market

Click the asset chip in the top left. The picker shows every market we route to, across all our venues: crypto perps, stocks, FX, commodities, prediction markets. Search by ticker. You don't pick the venue; Velocity routes each order to the one with the best market.

## 2. Order type

The order panel on the right has three tabs:

* **Market**: trades now at the best available price.
* **Limit**: rests on the book at the price you choose.
* **Trigger**: a Take Profit or Stop Loss that fires when the trigger price prints.

## 3. Size and direction

Pick **Buy** or **Sell**. Set size in USDC or in the asset's units. The leverage slider runs from 1x up to the cap the venue sets for that asset.

The toggle below the slider switches between Cross and Isolated margin. See [Leverage and margin](/velocity-docs/trading/leverage-and-margin.md).

## 4. Review

Before you submit, the footer shows:

* **Order value**: notional in USDC.
* **Initial margin**: what you post as collateral.
* **Fees**: the Velocity fee plus the venue's trading fee.
* **Liq. price**: estimated liquidation, updated live.

## 5. Submit

Click **Buy** or **Sell**.

The first time you trade on a venue, one-time approvals run inline:

1. **Fee approval**: one signature to authorise our fee. On Hyperliquid this is our builder code.
2. **Agent approval**: one signature to authorise a venue-scoped agent that can place orders on your behalf. It cannot withdraw or move funds.

After that, every trade on that venue is one click. No popups.

## 6. Watch your position

The bottom panel shows your live position. Mark price, unrealised PnL, funding, liquidation price, and margin health all update in real time.

Click **Close** on a position row to flatten with a market order.

## Next

* [Order types](/velocity-docs/trading/order-types.md)
* [Take profit and stop loss](/velocity-docs/trading/take-profit-stop-loss.md)
* [Fees](/velocity-docs/trading/fees.md)


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