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

# Get started on testnet

> Set up a wallet, claim test funds from the Sundial faucet, and open the dashboard. Includes network details and faucet troubleshooting.

The Sundial testnet lets you try the stack without real funds. There are two separate things to try, and each needs its own wallet:

| What | Network | Wallet |
| - | - | - |
| The **Sundial L2** | Settles to Cardano Preprod | A CIP-30 wallet set to Preprod |
| **Dawn** staking in the dashboard | Bitcoin testnet | A Bitcoin wallet set to testnet |

> [!WARNING]
>
> Testnet tokens have no monetary value. Use a dedicated testnet wallet, and never enter a seed phrase that controls real funds into a testnet flow.

## Network details

| Detail | Value |
| - | - |
| Faucet page | [sundialprotocol.com/testnet/faucet](https://www.sundialprotocol.com/testnet/faucet) |
| Dashboard | [sundialprotocol.com/dashboard](https://www.sundialprotocol.com/dashboard) |
| L2 node RPC | `https://rpc.testnet.sundialprotocol.com` |
| L2 metrics dashboard (read-only) | `https://dashboard.testnet.sundialprotocol.com` |
| L2 address format | `addr_test1…` |
| Test funds | Shown as sBTC. 1 sBTC is 1,000,000 units of the L2's native asset. |

## Try the Sundial L2

**1. Install a wallet and switch it to Preprod**

Install one of these browser extensions and create a wallet:

| Wallet | Notes |
| - | - |
| [Eternl](https://eternl.io/) | Easy network switching |
| [Lace](https://www.lace.io/) | Simple UI |
| [Typhon](https://typhonwallet.io/) | Full-featured |
| [Yoroi](https://yoroi-wallet.com/) | Browser and mobile |
| [GeroWallet](https://gerowallet.io/) | DeFi-focused |
| [NuFi](https://nu.fi/) | Multi-chain |

Open the wallet's network selector, usually under **Settings**, and switch from **Mainnet** to **Preprod** or **Testnet**.

**2. Copy your address**

Open the wallet's **Receive** screen and copy the payment address. It must start with `addr_test1`. If it starts with `addr1`, the wallet is still on Mainnet.

**3. Claim from the faucet**

1. Go to [sundialprotocol.com/testnet/faucet](https://www.sundialprotocol.com/testnet/faucet).
2. Paste your address into the **Sundial testnet address** field.
3. Click **Request testnet sBTC**.

You don't need to connect or sign with your wallet. On success the page shows:

| Field | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Grant amount** | How much was sent to your address |
| **Next eligible at** | When this address can claim again |
| **Claim ID** | A reference for this claim |
| **Transaction hash** | The L2 transaction that funded you |

**4. Check your balance**

The balance lives on the Sundial L2, not on Cardano Preprod, so L1 block explorers don't show it. Query the node instead:

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://rpc.testnet.sundialprotocol.com/utxos?address=addr_test1..."
```

To send funds, see [Use the Sundial L2](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/guides/use-the-l2.md).

## Try Dawn in the dashboard

The [dashboard](https://www.sundialprotocol.com/dashboard) is where you stake BTC with a Yield Provider. On testnet it works with Bitcoin testnet.

1. [Connect a Bitcoin wallet](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/guides/connect-wallet.md#bitcoin-wallets) set to testnet.
2. Get testnet BTC from a public Bitcoin testnet faucet.
3. Follow [Stake with Dawn](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/guides/stake-with-dawn.md).

You don't need faucet sBTC for this flow, and you don't need a Bitcoin wallet for the L2 flow above.

## Faucet troubleshooting

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
| - | - | - |
| "Enter a valid Sundial testnet payment address" | The field is empty, or the address isn't a testnet payment address | Switch the wallet to Preprod and copy a fresh address from **Receive**. Stake addresses (`stake_test1…`) and script addresses don't work. |
| "This address has already claimed recently" | The address is inside its cooldown | Wait until the **Next eligible at** time, or use another testnet address |
| "This browser has reached the current faucet claim limit" | Too many claims from your network recently | Try again later |
| "The faucet is temporarily out of funds" | The faucet wallet is low | Try again later. It is refilled periodically. |
| "The faucet is currently unavailable" | The faucet is disabled or the node is unreachable | Try again shortly. If it persists, report it. |

The node's defaults are a 24-hour cooldown per address and five claims per IP per day. The testnet's values can differ.

To claim programmatically, see the [Faucet API](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/api/faucet.md).

## Next steps

> **[Use the Sundial L2](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/guides/use-the-l2.md)**
>
> Send a transaction, deposit and withdraw.

> **[Stake with Dawn](https://docs.sundialprotocol.com/guides/stake-with-dawn.md)**
>
> Open a staking position on Bitcoin testnet.


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