> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbrainape.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Trading on Big Brain Ape: Swaps, Orders, and Fees Explained
> Learn how to execute token swaps, place limit orders, configure slippage tolerance, and understand platform fees and trade statuses on Big Brain Ape.
Trading on Big Brain Ape is designed to be fast and transparent. You can swap tokens instantly at the current market price or place a limit order to fill only when the market reaches your target. Either way, you see a full cost breakdown — including estimated output, price impact, and fees — before you commit, and every transaction is signed in your own wallet so you stay in control at every step.
## Swap Basics
Instant swaps let you exchange one token for another at the best available market price. Big Brain Ape aggregates liquidity from multiple decentralized exchanges and routing protocols across the supported networks, then automatically selects the path that gives you the most favorable output amount.
To execute a swap, select the token you want to sell in the **From** field and the token you want to receive in the **To** field, then enter the amount. The platform displays the estimated output, the current exchange rate, and the price impact of your trade in real time. When you are satisfied with the details, click **Swap** and confirm the transaction in your wallet.
## Slippage Tolerance
Slippage is the difference between the price you see when you submit a trade and the price at which it actually executes. This difference arises because token prices can move in the brief window between when you submit the transaction and when it is confirmed on-chain.
The default slippage tolerance on Big Brain Ape is **0.5%**. This means your trade will execute as long as the final price is within 0.5% of the quoted price. If the price moves beyond that threshold before confirmation, the transaction is cancelled and your funds are returned.
To adjust slippage tolerance, click the settings icon on the swap panel and enter a custom percentage. Lower values protect you from unfavorable fills but increase the chance of a failed transaction in volatile conditions. Higher values reduce the chance of failure but expose you to larger price differences.
For highly volatile or low-liquidity tokens, consider raising your slippage tolerance slightly — 1% to 2% — to reduce failed transactions. For stablecoin pairs or high-liquidity majors, keeping it at 0.5% or lower is usually fine.
## Limit Orders
A limit order lets you specify the exact price at which you want to buy or sell a token. Big Brain Ape monitors the market and executes your order automatically when the market price reaches your target — you do not need to be actively watching the platform.
To place a limit order, switch to the **Limit** tab on the trading panel. Enter the token pair, the target price, and the amount you want to trade. Confirm the order in your wallet — this signs an off-chain order that the platform holds until the conditions are met. When the market price hits your target, the trade executes on-chain and you receive the output token in your wallet.
Limit orders remain open until they are filled or you cancel them. You can view and cancel open limit orders from the **Orders** tab in your trading history.
Limit orders are especially useful for volatile tokens where you want to buy a dip or lock in a profit target without watching the charts constantly. Set your price, confirm the order, and let Big Brain Ape handle the execution.
## Trade Status
After you submit a trade, you can track it in the **Activity** panel. Each trade shows one of three statuses.
| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Pending** | The transaction has been submitted to the network and is waiting to be included in a block. For limit orders, it means the order is open and waiting for your target price. |
| **Confirmed** | The transaction has been included in a block and finalized on-chain. The output tokens have been delivered to your wallet. |
| **Failed** | The transaction was not completed. This can happen due to slippage exceeding your tolerance, insufficient gas, or a network error. No funds are lost — the input amount is returned to your wallet. |
When a trade is confirmed, the activity panel shows the full transaction details including the amounts, fees, and a link to the relevant block explorer.
## Transaction Fees
Every trade on Big Brain Ape involves two types of fees.
* **Network gas fee**: Paid to the validators or miners on the chain you are using. This varies by network and current congestion and is displayed as an estimate before you confirm. Solana gas fees are a fraction of a cent; Ethereum fees vary considerably.
* **Platform fee**: Big Brain Ape charges a flat **0.25%** fee on each trade. This is deducted from the output amount and is included in the quote you see before confirming.
There are no subscription fees or hidden charges. You only pay the platform fee when a trade executes.
## Trade API Response
When you submit or retrieve a trade through the Big Brain Ape API (`POST /trades` or `GET /portfolio`), a confirmed trade is returned in the following format.
```json theme={null}
{
"id": "trade_abc123",
"status": "confirmed",
"tokenIn": "SOL",
"tokenOut": "USDC",
"amountIn": "1.5",
"amountOut": "215.34",
"fee": "0.54",
"txHash": "5xKz...9mNp",
"timestamp": "2024-01-15T14:32:00Z"
}
```
The `fee` field reflects the 0.25% platform fee deducted from the output amount. The `txHash` links to the transaction on the relevant block explorer so you can verify the on-chain details independently. For full API documentation, see the [Trades API reference](/api/trades).
## Next Steps
Follow a hands-on walkthrough of executing your first swap from start to finish.
Learn how to monitor your holdings and analyze your trading performance.
Set up price and volume alerts so you never miss an important market move.
Automate your trading strategy using the Big Brain Ape REST API.