How to Sign Up for Zerodha Developer Platform & Generate API Key and Secret (Step-by-Step Guide)

This guide explains every step in detail, from account prerequisites to creating an app and generating your Zerodha API Key and API Secret.

What is Zerodha Kite Connect?

Kite Connect is Zerodha’s official API platform that allows developers to:

• Fetch live and historical market data

• Access order book, positions, and holdings

• Place, modify, and cancel orders programmatically

• Build analytics dashboards, screeners, or automated strategies

⚠️ Important:
Kite Connect is a paid developer product, separate from your normal Zerodha trading account.

Prerequisites Before You Start

Before creating API keys, ensure the following:

1️⃣ Active Zerodha Trading Account

You must already have:

• A fully verified Zerodha account (KYC completed)

• Access to Kite Web / Kite Mobile

2️⃣ Basic Technical Knowledge (Optional)

You don’t need to be an expert, but familiarity with:

• APIs

• HTTP requests

• Any programming language (Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.)

Step 1: Visit the Zerodha Developer Platform

Go to the official developer portal:

👉 https://developers.kite.trade

This is Zerodha’s only official API documentation and developer console.

Step 2: Sign Up to Kite Developer Console

Step 3: Subscribe to Kite Connect (Mandatory)

Kite Connect is not free.

Current pricing (subject to Zerodha updates):

• ₹500 per month + GST

• Billed monthly

• Required even for personal projects

How to subscribe:

1. From the dashboard, click “Subscribe/Billing”

2. Accept terms and conditions

3. Complete payment using UPI / NetBanking

Once payment is successful, API access is enabled.

Step 4: Create a New App (Most Important Step)

After subscription, you must create an application.
This app represents your software or platform, not a mobile app.

Steps:

1. Go to “My Apps” section

2. Click “Create New App”

App Creation Form – Field-by-Field Explanation

You’ll see a form with multiple fields. Here’s what each one means:

🔹 App Name

• Any descriptive name

• Example:

  • Zerodha App {your name}

📌 This name is only for identification.

🔹 App Type

Choose based on your use case:

• Connect → For full trading + data access (most common)

• Ticker → For streaming market data (WebSocket)

✅ Select Connect for most use cases.

🔹 Redirect URL (Very Important)

This is the URL Zerodha redirects to after successful login.

Examples:

• Development (For desktop app)

  http://127.0.0.1:5000/login

• Production ( For web app)

  https://findnex.com/broker/callback/zerodha

📌 Even if you’re testing locally, this field must be filled correctly.

🔹 Description

Short explanation of your app:

{Your description?}

🔹 Terms Acceptance

Check the box confirming:

• You will not misuse APIs

• You understand Zerodha’s policies

Click Create App.

Step 5: Generate API Key and API Secret

Once the app is created, Zerodha automatically generates:

🔑 API Key

• Public identifier for your app

🔐 API Secret

• Private credential

• Must be kept confidential

⚠️ Important security note

• Never expose API Secret in frontend code

• Store it in environment variables or server config

Step 6: Generate Access Token (Daily Requirement)

This step is done programmatically, not manually.

Typical flow:

• User logs in once every day

• Your backend exchanges token

• You store access_token securely

• All API calls use this token

📌 Zerodha does not allow permanent tokens for retail accounts.

Step 7: Test Your API Access

Once access token is generated, test basic endpoints:

• Profile details

• Instruments list

• Market quotes

This confirms:

• API key is valid

• Token generation is correct

• Permissions are working

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using API Secret in frontend JavaScript
❌ Forgetting daily token regeneration
❌ Incorrect redirect URL (causes login failure)
❌ Assuming API is free
❌ Hardcoding credentials in GitHub

Best Practices for Use

✔ Store keys in .env or secure vault
✔ Restrict API usage to backend only
✔ Add error handling for token expiry
✔ Log API rate limit errors
✔ Monitor Zerodha announcements for API changes

How Platforms Like FindNex Use Zerodha APIs

Market intelligence platforms typically use Kite APIs to:

• Fetch live price & volume data

• Track intraday market behaviour

• Build scanners and alerts

• Combine price action with news & analytics

• Educate users using data-driven insights

Access to broker APIs enables timely market visibility, which is essential when markets move rapidly during the trading session.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, trading recommendations, or solicitation. Market participation involves risk. Always consult a SEBI-registered professional before making financial decisions.