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

# `lium fund`

Fund your account with TAO — or Subnet 51 **alpha** — from a Bittensor wallet.

```bash
lium fund [OPTIONS]
```

Run without flags for an interactive prompt that walks you through wallet, hotkey, and amount.

:::warning Alpha funding moves only your *free* alpha
With `--alpha`, the transfer uses your **free** alpha only — your stake minus any locked
amount. If you ask to move more alpha than you have free, the transfer is **not attributed
and your balance is not credited at all**. Keep the amount at or below your free alpha.
:::

## Options

| Flag | Effect |
|------|--------|
| `--wallet, -w NAME` | Wallet name |
| `--hotkey, -k NAME` | Hotkey the funds (or alpha) come from. Required with `--alpha`. |
| `--amount, -a AMOUNT` | Amount to fund. TAO by default; **USD** when `--alpha` is set.[^usd] |
| `--alpha` | Fund with free Subnet 51 alpha stake (via `transfer_stake`) instead of TAO. |
| `--json` | Print machine-readable JSON (non-interactive; pass `--yes`). |
| `--yes, -y` | Skip confirmation |

[^usd]: Under `--alpha` the amount is denominated in USD. Lium quotes the alpha to move and
the destination subnet at transfer time, then credits the actual alpha moved revalued at
on-chain inclusion time, so the credited USD can differ slightly from the quote.

## Examples

```bash
lium fund                                         # Interactive (TAO)
lium fund -w default -a 10.0                       # Fund 10 TAO
lium fund -w mywallet -k hotkey1 -a 5.0 -y         # No prompts (TAO)

# Alpha funding — -a is USD, -k (origin hotkey) is required
lium fund --alpha -k <hotkey-ss58> -a 25           # Fund ~$25 of free alpha
lium fund --alpha -w default -k myhotkey -a 25     # -k may be a wallet hotkey name
lium fund --alpha -k <hotkey-ss58> -a 25 -y --json # Non-interactive, JSON output
```

## See also

- [`lium ps`](./ps) — see hourly burn rate after funding