# Trading Tokens

Use the `npx awal@2.12.1 trade` command to swap tokens on Base or Polygon via the CDP Swap API. You must be authenticated to trade.

If the wallet is not authenticated, see `references/auth.md`.

## Command Syntax

```bash
npx awal@2.12.1 trade <amount> <from> <to> [options]
```

The command is also available as `npx awal@2.12.1 swap` (alias).

## Arguments

| Argument | Description                                                             |
| -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `amount` | Amount to swap (see Amount Formats below)                               |
| `from`   | Source token: alias (usdc, eth, pol) or contract address (0x...)        |
| `to`     | Destination token: alias (usdc, eth, pol) or contract address (0x...)   |

## Amount Formats

The amount can be specified in multiple formats:

| Format        | Example                | Description                            |
| ------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Dollar prefix | `'$1.00'`, `'$0.50'`  | USD notation (decimals based on token) |
| Decimal       | `1.0`, `0.50`, `0.001` | Human-readable with decimal point      |
| Whole number  | `5`, `100`             | Interpreted as whole tokens            |
| Atomic units  | `500000`               | Large integers treated as atomic units |

**Auto-detection**: Large integers without a decimal point are treated as atomic units. For example, `500000` for USDC (6 decimals) = $0.50.

**Decimals**: For known tokens (usdc=6, eth=18, pol=18), decimals are automatic. For arbitrary contract addresses, decimals are read from the token contract.

## Options

| Option               | Description                                   |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `-c, --chain <name>` | Blockchain network: base, polygon (default: base) |
| `-s, --slippage <n>` | Slippage tolerance in basis points (100 = 1%) |
| `--json`             | Output result as JSON                         |

## Token Aliases

| Alias | Token | Decimals | Chain   |
| ----- | ----- | -------- | ------- |
| usdc  | USDC  | 6        | base    |
| eth   | ETH   | 18       | base    |
| pol   | POL   | 18       | polygon |

**IMPORTANT**: Always single-quote amounts that use `$` to prevent bash variable expansion (e.g. `'$1.00'` not `$1.00`).

## Input Validation

Before constructing the command, validate all user-provided values to prevent shell injection:

- **amount**: Must match `^\$?[\d.]+$` (digits, optional decimal point, optional `$` prefix). Reject if it contains spaces, semicolons, pipes, backticks, or other shell metacharacters.
- **from / to**: Must be a known alias (`usdc`, `eth`, `pol`) or a valid `0x` hex address (`^0x[0-9a-fA-F]{40}$`). Reject any other value.
- **slippage**: Must be a positive integer (`^\d+$`).

Do not pass unvalidated user input into the command.

## Examples

```bash
# Swap $1 USDC for ETH (dollar prefix — note the single quotes)
npx awal@2.12.1 trade '$1' usdc eth

# Swap 0.50 USDC for ETH (decimal format)
npx awal@2.12.1 trade 0.50 usdc eth

# Swap 500000 atomic units of USDC for ETH
npx awal@2.12.1 trade 500000 usdc eth

# Swap 0.01 ETH for USDC
npx awal@2.12.1 trade 0.01 eth usdc

# Swap with custom slippage (2%)
npx awal@2.12.1 trade '$5' usdc eth --slippage 200

# Swap using contract addresses (decimals read from chain)
npx awal@2.12.1 trade 100 0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006

# Get JSON output
npx awal@2.12.1 trade '$1' usdc eth --json

# Swap USDC for POL on Polygon
npx awal@2.12.1 trade '$1' usdc pol --chain polygon
```

## Prerequisites

- Must be authenticated (`npx awal@2.12.1 status` to check; see `references/auth.md`)
- Wallet must have sufficient balance of the source token

## Error Handling

Common errors:

- "Not authenticated" - See `references/auth.md`
- "Invalid token" - Use a valid alias (usdc, eth, pol) or 0x address
- "POL only supported on polygon chain" - Use `--chain polygon` when trading POL
- "Cannot swap a token to itself" - From and to must be different
- "Swap failed: TRANSFER_FROM_FAILED" - Insufficient balance or approval issue
- "No liquidity" - Try a smaller amount or different token pair
- "Amount has X decimals but token only supports Y" - Too many decimal places