# Sign Up for Data Streams
Source: https://docs.chain.link/data-streams/sign-up

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

The Chainlink Data Streams self-service portal lets you create an account, generate API credentials, and subscribe to data feeds directly.

> **NOTE: Portal URL**
>
> The self-service portal is available at <a href="https://app.chain.link">app.chain.link</a>.

## Prerequisites

- A valid email address to register for an account
- A credit card or supported payment method for stream subscriptions (billing is handled through Stripe)

> **NOTE: No free tier**
>
> All Data Streams subscriptions are paid. There is no free account tier. Subscriptions activate immediately upon
> successful payment and are billed in 30-day cycles.

***

## Step 1: Create an account or sign in

1. Navigate to [app.chain.link](https://app.chain.link).
2. Enter your **email address** and click **Continue**.
3. If you are a new user, complete the registration steps to create your account. If you have an existing account, sign in to proceed.

***

## Step 2: Navigate to Data Streams

After signing in, you land on the main **Discover** dashboard.

1. Click the **expand icon** in the top-left corner to open the sidebar.
2. Click **Data Streams** in the sidebar under the CRE section.

The Data Streams section has three tabs: **Home**, **Credentials**, and **Billing**.

***

## Step 3: Generate API credentials

Data Streams uses HMAC authentication. You must generate credentials before making API requests.

1. On the **Home** tab, click **Create API Key**.
2. In the modal that opens, read through the **Chainlink Data Streams Terms of Service**.
3. Check the box: **I accept the Chainlink Data Streams Terms of Service**.
4. Click **Generate**.

### Copy your credentials immediately

After the key is generated, the **Credentials** tab displays a **one-time private view** of your credentials:

| Field                     | Description                                                                        |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Data Streams Username** | Your user ID — used for both the core Data Streams service and the Candlestick API |
| **HMAC Secret**           | Your password for the core Data Streams service — click the copy icon to copy      |
| **API Key**               | Your API key for the Candlestick API — click the copy icon to copy                 |

> **CAUTION: Credentials are shown only once**
>
> The Password and API Key are not stored in the portal. Copy both values and store them securely before clicking{" "}
> <strong>Dismiss</strong>. If you lose them, you must rotate your credentials to generate new ones.

#### Two services, one username, two passwords

Your Data Streams account provides access to two separate services, each with its own password:

- **Core Data Streams service** — uses your username and the **Password** shown on the Credentials tab. See the [Go SDK fetch tutorial](/data-streams/tutorials/go-sdk-fetch) to get started.
- **Candlestick API** — uses the same username but a **separate password** generated for that service. See the [Candlestick API reference](/data-streams/reference/candlestick-api) for details.

Make sure you save both passwords. They are issued separately and are not interchangeable.

### Rotating credentials

Click **Rotate Credentials** to generate new secrets. This immediately invalidates the previous ones.

***

## Step 4: Subscribe to a stream

### Choose your subscription type

You can subscribe in two ways:

- **Feed Selection** — subscribe to individual feeds manually, starting at $150/month
- **Bundle plans** — subscribe to a curated set of feeds at a discounted rate (available on the **Billing** tab)

### Browse the streams catalog

1. On the **Home** tab, click **Browse Subscriptions**, or navigate to **Billing → Browse Subscriptions**.
2. The **Streams Catalog** lists all available feeds with their name, Feed ID, and monthly price.
3. Use the **Search streams** field to filter by name or asset.

### Select feeds and confirm purchase

1. Check the **checkbox** on the right side of any stream row to add it to your cart.
2. The **Checkout** panel on the right updates with your selection and the **Total Charge**.
3. Review your selection and click **Confirm Purchase**.

***

## Step 5: Complete payment via Stripe

Clicking **Confirm Purchase** redirects you to a hosted Stripe checkout page.

1. Verify your **email address** is pre-filled in the Contact information section.
2. Select a **payment method**: Card, Bank, or other supported payment platform.
3. Enter your payment details and click **Subscribe**.

### Billing terms

| Term              | Detail                                                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Billing cycle** | 30 days from the date of subscription                                                                                                                      |
| **Proration**     | Billing is not prorated — you are charged the full amount regardless of when in the cycle you subscribe                                                    |
| **Activation**    | Subscriptions activate instantly upon successful payment                                                                                                   |
| **Cancellation**  | You can cancel at any time, but the cancellation takes effect at the end of the current 30-day billing period. The feed remains accessible until that date |

***

## Step 6: Access your feed

After a successful payment, your subscribed feed appears in the **Available Streams** table on the **Home** tab.

| Column          | Description                                                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Name**        | Full stream name (e.g., `MSFT/USD-Streams-ExtendedHoursEquityPrice-...`)             |
| **Feed ID**     | The stream identifier used in API requests — click the copy icon to copy the full ID |
| **Asset Class** | The category of the stream (e.g., Equities, Crypto)                                  |

Use the Feed ID when constructing API requests. See the [authentication reference](/data-streams/reference/data-streams-api/authentication) for details on signing requests with your credentials.

***

## Subscription terms

When you subscribe to a Data Streams feed, you are agreeing to pay the full amount for the defined billing period. The following terms apply to all subscriptions:

- Subscriptions are billed in **30-day cycles** starting from the date of purchase.
- Billing is **not prorated** — you are charged the full period amount regardless of when during the cycle you subscribe or cancel.
- Cancelling a subscription stops renewal at the end of the current period. You will not be charged again after cancellation.
- Your feed access remains active through the end of the paid period.
- Individual feed subscriptions and bundle subscriptions are treated as **separate subscriptions**. If you subscribe to a bundle that includes a feed you already have an individual subscription for, the existing subscription terms are not modified — both subscriptions remain active and are billed independently.

For custom plan inquiries, [contact us](https://chain.link/contact?ref_id=datastreams).

***

## Manage your subscription

Navigate to the **Billing** tab to view and manage your active subscriptions. Each subscription shows its associated feed, monthly cost, and **Period End** date — the date the subscription auto-cancels if not renewed.

Click **Manage Subscription** to open the Stripe customer portal for invoice history and payment method updates.

### Cancel a subscription

1. On the **Billing** tab, locate the subscription you want to cancel under **Active subscriptions**.
2. Click **Request Cancellation** in the Actions column.

> **NOTE: Manual review**
>
> Cancellations are reviewed and confirmed manually. Once confirmed, your subscription will not renew at the end of the
> current billing period and you will not be charged again. Feed access remains active through the{" "}
> <strong>Period End</strong> date shown in your subscription.

Cancelled subscriptions move to the **Inactive** tab once the period ends.