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

# Introduction

> Access historical orderbook data from Polymarket prediction markets

## What is poly-data?

poly-data provides **historical orderbook snapshots** from all markets on Polymarket, collected via the Polymarket WebSocket feed since January 1, 2026.

Whether you're building arbitrage tools, conducting academic research, or backtesting trading strategies, poly-data gives you the granular market microstructure data you need.

<Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart" horizontal>
  Get your first API response in under 2 minutes.
</Card>

## Why poly-data?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Complete Coverage" icon="chart-line">
    Every market on Polymarket, every orderbook snapshot, since day one.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Granular Data" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Full bid/ask depth at each timestamp — not just mid prices.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Simple REST API" icon="code">
    Clean endpoints with cursor-based pagination. No WebSocket complexity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Research-Ready" icon="flask">
    Perfect for backtesting, market microstructure analysis, and academic research.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Use Cases

**For Developers**

* Build arbitrage detection systems across prediction markets
* Create real-time alerting tools based on historical patterns
* Develop trading bots with proper backtesting capabilities

**For Researchers & Analysts**

* Study market efficiency and price discovery in prediction markets
* Analyze liquidity dynamics around major events
* Research bid-ask spread behavior and market maker activity

## Data Overview

| Metric                | Value                      |
| --------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Data collection start | January 1, 2026            |
| Source                | Polymarket WebSocket feed  |
| Coverage              | All active markets         |
| Orderbook depth       | Full bid/ask arrays        |
| Update frequency      | Real-time collection       |
| API base URL          | `http://api.poly-data.xyz` |

## Quick Links

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="API Reference" icon="terminal" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Explore all available endpoints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Events API" icon="calendar" href="/api-reference/events">
    Search and browse prediction market events.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Markets API" icon="store" href="/api-reference/markets">
    Get market details and token information.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Orderbooks API" icon="book" href="/api-reference/orderbooks">
    Access historical orderbook snapshots.
  </Card>
</Columns>