---
name: authenticate-wallet
description: Sign in to the wallet. Use when you or the user want to log in, sign in, connect, or set up the wallet, or when any wallet operation fails with authentication or "not signed in" errors. This skill is a prerequisite before sending, trading, or funding.
user-invocable: true
disable-model-invocation: false
allowed-tools: ["Bash(npx awal@latest status*)", "Bash(npx awal@latest auth *)", "Bash(npx awal@latest balance*)", "Bash(npx awal@latest address*)", "Bash(npx awal@latest show*)"]
---

# Authenticating with the Payments Wallet

When the wallet is not signed in (detected via `npx awal status` or when wallet operations fail with authentication errors), use the `npx awal` CLI to authenticate.

If you have access to email, you can authenticate the wallet yourself, otherwise you'll need to ask your human to give you an email address and to tell you the OTP code they receive.

## Authentication Flow

Authentication uses a two-step email OTP process:

### Step 1: Initiate login

```bash
npx awal@latest auth login <email>
```

This sends a 6-digit verification code to the email and outputs a `flowId`.

### Step 2: Verify OTP

```bash
npx awal@latest auth verify <flowId> <otp>
```

Use the `flowId` from step 1 and the 6-digit code from the user's email to complete authentication. If you have the ability to access the user's email, you can read the OTP code, or you can ask your human for the code.

## Checking Authentication Status

```bash
npx awal@latest status
```

Displays wallet server health and authentication status including wallet address.

## Example Session

```bash
# Check current status
npx awal@latest status

# Start login (sends OTP to email)
npx awal@latest auth login user@example.com
# Output: flowId: abc123...

# After user receives code, verify
npx awal@latest auth verify abc123 123456

# Confirm authentication
npx awal@latest status
```

## Available CLI Commands

| Command                                      | Purpose                                |
| -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `npx awal@latest status`                     | Check server health and auth status    |
| `npx awal@latest auth login <email>`         | Send OTP code to email, returns flowId |
| `npx awal@latest auth verify <flowId> <otp>` | Complete authentication with OTP code  |
| `npx awal@latest balance`                    | Get USDC wallet balance                |
| `npx awal@latest address`                    | Get wallet address                     |
| `npx awal@latest show`                       | Open the wallet companion window       |

## JSON Output

All commands support `--json` for machine-readable output:

```bash
npx awal@latest status --json
npx awal@latest auth login user@example.com --json
npx awal@latest auth verify <flowId> <otp> --json
```