> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://archer-bot.gitbook.io/archer.bot/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://archer-bot.gitbook.io/archer.bot/build-with-archer/developer-portal.md).

# Developer Portal

The Developer Portal at [app.archerprotocol.com/developer](https://app.archerprotocol.com/developer) is your control center for connecting external tools to Archer Protocol. Create API keys, monitor usage, manage transaction approvals, and track compute unit billing.

## API Keys

API keys authenticate your MCP client or external application with Archer's backend.

### Creating a Key

1. Navigate to the Developer Portal in the Archer webapp
2. Click **Create API Key**
3. Configure:
   * **Name** - a label for your reference (e.g., "Claude Code - local dev")
   * **Scopes** - permissions for this key (read, quote, swap, bridge, send)
   * **Spend Limit** - optional USD cap for transaction operations
   * **Expiry** - optional expiration date
4. Copy the raw key immediately - it is shown only once

The portal displays a **connection snippet** with ready-to-paste config for Claude Code, Cursor, and other clients.

### Key Format

API keys follow the format `arch-xxxx...` where `arch-` is the prefix. The portal shows the prefix for identification but never displays the full key after creation.

### Scopes

| Scope    | Allows                                       |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `read`   | Token lookups, price checks, balance queries |
| `quote`  | Swap and bridge quotes (no execution)        |
| `swap`   | Prepare swap transactions                    |
| `bridge` | Prepare bridge transactions                  |
| `send`   | Prepare send/transfer transactions           |

### Revoking a Key

Click **Revoke** on any active key. This is immediate and permanent - the key stops working instantly.

## Transaction Approvals

When an MCP client prepares a transaction (swap, bridge, or send), a **Pending Approval** appears in the Developer Portal.

### Approval Lifecycle

1. **PENDING** - Transaction prepared, waiting for your review
2. **APPROVED** - You signed the transaction; it's been submitted on-chain
3. **REJECTED** - You rejected the transaction
4. **EXPIRED** - Transaction expired before you acted (typically 60-90 seconds for swap quotes)

### Reviewing a Transaction

Each pending approval shows:

* **Tool name** - which operation (swap, bridge, send)
* **Human summary** - plain-English description of what will happen
* **Chain** - which blockchain
* **Wallet address** - which of your wallets will sign
* **Transaction details** - the unsigned transaction data
* **Expiry** - how long before the quote expires

Click **Approve** to sign with your Privy embedded wallet, or **Reject** to cancel.

## Usage Tracking

The Developer Portal tracks all API operations:

* **Total calls** and success rate
* **Calls by tool** - which tools are used most
* **Daily timeline** - usage over time
* **Recent calls** - last operations with latency and error details
* **Per-key metrics** - usage broken down by API key

## Compute Units (CU) Billing

Every operation consumes Compute Units. Your account has a free monthly CU allowance based on your tier:

| Tier         |  Price | Monthly CU |    CU Rate   | TVR Fee |
| ------------ | :----: | :--------: | :----------: | :-----: |
| FREE         |  Free  |    2,500   |  $0.0002/CU  |  0.20%  |
| VIBE BUILDER | $19/mo |   150,000  | $0.000127/CU |  0.15%  |
| PRO          | $79/mo |  1,000,000 | $0.000079/CU |  0.10%  |
| ENTERPRISE   | Custom |   Custom   |  Negotiated  |  Custom |

CU costs include:

* **Infrastructure CU** - base cost per tool call (see [Tools Reference](/archer.bot/build-with-archer/overview/tools-reference.md#compute-unit-costs))
* **AI CU** - LLM inference costs (varies by model tier: economy, standard, premium)
* **TVR Fee** - percentage of transaction value routed on-chain (swap/bridge/send)

View your current period's usage, remaining balance, and billing history in the Developer Portal.