Set up any exchange in 5 minutes

Six step-by-step guides for connecting an exchange to WatchDog Bot. The flow is the same shape on every exchange: generate an API key with trade permissions but no withdrawal permission, copy the credentials, paste them into WatchDog Bot's Connection settings. Verify with a balance check.

Kalshi Prediction markets · RSA-PSS

Kalshi is unique in that it uses RSA-signed requests rather than HMAC. You'll download a private key file in addition to your access key.

1. Log into kalshi.com and complete KYC if you haven't already.
2. Click your profile icon → API Keys.
3. Click Generate New Key. You'll get an access-key string AND be prompted to download a private_key.pem file.
4. Save the private key file in a secure location — Kalshi only shows it once, and it can't be re-downloaded.
5. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Kalshi.
6. Paste the access key. Upload the private_key.pem file. Name the connection (e.g., "Kalshi" or "MyKalshi").
7. Click Save.

Test it with this minimal bot:

import wd
from kalshi_client import KalshiClient

conn = wd.connection("Kalshi")
client = KalshiClient(conn.api_key, conn.api_secret_path)
balance = client.get("/portfolio/balance")
wd.log.info("Kalshi balance: %s cents", balance.get("balance"))

If you see your balance in the dashboard logs, you're connected.

Binance Crypto · HMAC

1. Log into binance.com (or binance.us if you're a US resident).
2. Click your profile icon → API Management.
3. Click Create API. You may be asked to verify with 2FA.
4. Name the key (e.g., "WatchDog Bot"). Binance gives you an API key + secret.
5. Copy the secret immediately — Binance only shows it once.
6. Edit the key's permissions: enable "Spot & Margin Trading", disable "Enable Withdrawals". If you need futures, also enable "Futures".
7. Optional but recommended: restrict the key to your specific IP under IP Access Restrictions.
8. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Binance.
9. Paste the API key and secret. Name the connection.
10. Save.

Test:

import wd, ccxt
conn = wd.connection("Binance")
ex = ccxt.binance({"apiKey": conn.api_key, "secret": conn.api_secret})
balance = ex.fetch_balance()
wd.log.info("Total USDT balance: %s", balance["total"].get("USDT", 0))

Coinbase Crypto · HMAC

Coinbase Advanced Trade replaced the old Coinbase Pro API. The setup flow is now unified with your regular Coinbase account.

1. Log into coinbase.com.
2. Click your profile → Settings → API.
3. Click + New API Key. Coinbase Advanced Trade uses RSA-style key pairs — you'll get a key name and a private key (PEM format).
4. Set permissions: View accounts, Trade. Leave "Transfer" disabled — that's what controls withdrawals.
5. Optionally pin the key to your IP under the IP allowlist.
6. Download or copy the private key — Coinbase only shows it once.
7. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Coinbase.
8. Paste both the key name and the private key.
9. Save.

Test:

import wd, ccxt
conn = wd.connection("Coinbase")
ex = ccxt.coinbase({"apiKey": conn.api_key, "secret": conn.api_secret})
balance = ex.fetch_balance()
wd.log.info("Total USD balance: $%.2f", balance["total"].get("USD", 0))

Kraken Crypto · HMAC

1. Log into kraken.com.
2. Click your username → Settings → API.
3. Click Add Key.
4. Permissions to enable: Query Funds, Query Open Orders & Trades, Query Closed Orders & Trades, Create & Modify Orders. Leave "Withdraw Funds" disabled.
5. Click Generate Key. Kraken shows you a key and a private key (base64-encoded string).
6. Copy both immediately — Kraken won't show the private key again.
7. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Kraken.
8. Paste the API key and private key. Name the connection.
9. Save.

Test:

import wd, ccxt
conn = wd.connection("Kraken")
ex = ccxt.kraken({"apiKey": conn.api_key, "secret": conn.api_secret})
balance = ex.fetch_balance()
wd.log.info("USD balance: $%.2f", balance["total"].get("USD", 0))

Bybit Derivatives · HMAC

1. Log into bybit.com.
2. Hover your profile → Account & Security → API.
3. Click Create New Key. Choose System-generated API Keys.
4. Permissions: Contract Trade, Unified Trading, SPOT Trade as needed. Leave "Wallet" and "Withdraw" disabled.
5. Set IP restriction if your bot has a fixed IP (recommended).
6. Set expiration to "No expiration" if your bot will run long-term, or set a calendar reminder for the expiry date.
7. Click Submit. Bybit shows you the API key and secret once.
8. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Bybit.
9. Paste the API key and secret. Name the connection.
10. Save.

Test:

import wd, ccxt
conn = wd.connection("Bybit")
ex = ccxt.bybit({"apiKey": conn.api_key, "secret": conn.api_secret})
balance = ex.fetch_balance()
wd.log.info("Total USDT: $%s", balance["total"].get("USDT", 0))

Custom HTTP connections Anything else

For anything not in the curated exchange list — sportsbook APIs, alternative data providers, in-house systems — WatchDog Bot supports generic HTTP connections.

1. In WatchDog Bot: Settings → API Connections → Add Connection → Custom.
2. Enter a name (e.g., "Polymarket", "NewsAPI", "MyInternalAPI").
3. Enter the base URL for the API.
4. Enter your API key. Optionally enter a secondary secret/private key.
5. Save.

Use in your bot code exactly like the curated exchanges — same wd.connection interface:

import wd, requests

conn = wd.connection("Polymarket")
headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {conn.api_key}"}
r = requests.get(f"{conn.base_url}/markets", headers=headers)
wd.log.info("Markets: %s", r.json()[:3])

After setup — universal tips

• Test in demo mode first. Use wd.is_demo() in your bot code to guard real orders during development.
• Start with 1-contract sizes. Whatever your strategy, run it at minimum size for a week before scaling. You'll find bugs you didn't know existed.
• Set calendar reminders for API key rotations. Many exchanges auto-rotate or expire keys every 90 days. A bot running with a stale key won't tell you it's broken — it'll just silently fail.
• One connection per use-case. Don't share a single API key between your manual trades and your bots. Separate keys mean separate audit trails and easier rotation when needed.

More reading

• Getting Started
• Python SDK reference
• Bot Examples Library
• Strategy Patterns guide