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

# Getting Started

Create an account, claim your username, set your preferences, and make your first payment.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an account">
    Provide an email address and confirm it with a verification code. No identity verification is required to get started. Personal tier accounts are active immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Claim your username">
    Choose a unique username (e.g., @alice). This is your permanent payment identity across all chains. Once claimed, your username cannot be changed. Anyone can send you a payment using just this username.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your receiver preferences: ">
    Configure how you want to be paid: select your preferred chain, preferred asset, and one or more payout wallets. These preferences apply to every incoming payment, and you can update them at any time. For a detailed explanation, see [Usernames & Receiver Preferences](/usernames-receiver-preferences).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send or request a payment">
    Connect any existing wallet on a supported chain. To send, enter the recipient's username and a dollar amount, choose which asset and chain to pay from, and confirm. One wallet signature is all that's needed. To request, share your username or generate a payment request QR code. Incoming payments are routed according to your saved preferences.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Withdraw">
    When you receive a payment, your Silo account is credited. Initiate a withdrawal by signing from your primary wallet (the first wallet in your receiver preferences). Funds are privately delivered to your wallet according to your preferences.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**What's next**

To understand the full payment flow under the hood, see [Payment Flow](/payment-flow). For fee tiers and verification levels, see [Three-Tier System](/three-tier-system). For how privacy works on every transaction, see [Privacy Model](/privacy-model).