Quickstart
Go from an existing API to a paid one in about five minutes.
This is the fast path: take an API you already run and start charging per call in about five minutes. It mirrors the three steps on bolthub.ai: point at your API, set a price, get paid.
You'll need an HTTP API that's reachable over the internet, and a Lightning wallet to receive sats (or a few minutes to deploy one).
1. Create your account
Sign up with an email address. No card required for the free trial.
2. Connect a wallet to receive payments
Your customers pay your wallet directly; bolthub never holds the funds. Two options:
- No node yet? Use the built-in Node Launcher to deploy your own non-custodial Lightning node on a VPS you control, in minutes, from ~$3.50/month. You keep the keys.
- Already run one? Connect an existing LND node, an LNbits instance, or an always-on NWC wallet (Alby Hub, CoinOS).
See Wallet Setup for the details and the security checklist.
Phone wallets aren't a fit for receiving: buyers hit your API while you're away, so the wallet that issues invoices must stay online 24/7.
3. Point bolthub at your API
In the dashboard, open the Add endpoint wizard and enter your API's base URL plus the path you want to sell (for example, /v1/forecast). bolthub verifies connectivity and provisions your Lightning Gateway in seconds.
4. Set your price
Pick a pricing model for the endpoint:
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
per_request | A flat price per call |
per_kb | Responses that vary in size |
token_bucket | Selling a batch of calls upfront |
time_pass | Unlimited access for a window |
metered | A prepaid balance, drawn down per call |
You can change the model or price on a live endpoint at any time.
5. Go live
Your endpoint is now a paid API behind your Lightning Gateway. Two ways to get traffic:
- Point your existing customers straight at your gateway URL. The L402 flow works for any HTTP client, human or agent, with no accounts or API keys.
- List in the API Hub so agents and developers can discover, preview, and pay for your endpoints.
Next steps
- Publishing Your API: the full guide to listings, metadata, and discovery.
- Protect your origin: make sure only paid requests reach your API.
- Wallet Setup: wallet options, the Node Launcher, and the security checklist.