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

# Before You Start

> Prerequisites and the decisions to make before you route your first attributed deposit.

This page is a preflight check. Run through it before you start integrating so you are not stopped by a missing organization, an API key you do not have yet, or an integration path that does not fit your product. If you already know what Turtle Earn is, skip ahead to [Configure opportunities](/products/earn/configure-opportunities). If you are new, start with the [Turtle Earn overview](/partner-products/turtle-earn).

## Prerequisites

<Steps>
  <Step title="An approved organization in the Client Portal" icon="users">
    Your organization must be set up and approved as a distribution partner in the [Client Portal](https://dashboard.turtle.xyz). Organization setup is required for both integration paths.

    {/* VERIFY: confirm the exact org signup and distributor-approval steps in the current Client Portal, including whether an MSA is required for Earn distribution. */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="A distributor ID" icon="fingerprint">
    Your distributor ID is the identifier every deposit is attributed to. One organization can have more than one distributor, for example a separate ID for your web and mobile surfaces. Find your distributor ID in the [Distribution Dashboard](/partner-products/distribution-dashboard).

    {/* VERIFY: confirm where the distributor ID is surfaced in the current Distribution Dashboard UI. */}
  </Step>

  <Step title="An API key (API path only)" icon="key">
    If you integrate through the Earn API, you need a publishable API key scoped to your organization. Share links do not require an API key. Create and manage keys as described in [API keys](/sdk/authentication/api-keys).

    <Warning>
      Use a publishable key (`pk_live_`) for client-side calls. Keep secret keys server-side only. The canonical auth header is being confirmed.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="A supported opportunity for your audience" icon="grid">
    Decide which opportunities you want to put in front of users. Share links work only with Turtle featured deals; the Earn API covers the full catalog. See [Configure opportunities](/products/earn/configure-opportunities).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Decisions to make before you launch

Have answers to these ready before you integrate.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Integration path: share links or the Earn API" icon="route">
    Share links are no-code. You attach your distributor ID to a featured-deal URL and share it; the user lands on the deposit page and attribution happens automatically. Best for KOLs, newsletters, content creators, and non-technical partners.

    The Earn API lets you build the deposit experience inside your own product. You generate the deposit and withdrawal transactions and your users sign them in your interface. Best for wallets, apps, and platforms. The two paths are not exclusive; you can run share links today and add the API later.

    See [Share links](/partner-products/share-links) for the no-code path and the [Turtle Earn API](/sdk/earn/quickstart) for the API path.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which opportunities you will offer" icon="sliders">
    You choose which opportunities from the Turtle catalog to surface, and you can tailor the set to your audience, for example stablecoin vaults only or a single chain. Have a shortlist before you launch.

    [Configure opportunities](/products/earn/configure-opportunities) walks through browsing the catalog and configuring your set.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Whether you need membership registration" icon="user-check">
    Deposits made through the Earn API require the user to be a registered Turtle member. If you build the API path, plan where membership registration fits in your flow. Share links handle this inside the Turtle app, so you do not build it yourself.

    See [Register a wallet](/sdk/authentication/register-wallet) for the membership flow.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## If you are not approved or your opportunity is not supported

<Info>
  If your organization is not yet approved as a distributor, or the opportunity you want to offer is not in the catalog, reach out to the Turtle team through the [Client Portal](https://dashboard.turtle.xyz).
</Info>