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Getting Started

This guide takes you from opening the app to owning your first on-chain land parcel. The whole process takes about five minutes.

Prerequisites​

  • A modern desktop browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Brave recommended).
  • A small amount of SUI for registration. The exact cost depends on parcel size and hierarchy level.

Step 1: Connect Your Wallet​

Open merca.earth. In the top-right corner, click Connect / Sign In.

Two options:

  1. Wallet extension — If you have a Sui wallet installed (Sui Wallet, Suiet, or MetaMask with the Sui Snap), choose "Wallet Extensions" and approve the connection in your extension popup.
  2. Enoki sign-in — If you do not have a wallet extension, choose "Enoki Sign-In" and authenticate with your Google account. This creates a Sui wallet behind the scenes using zkLogin — nothing extra to install.

On mobile, the app detects your environment and shows available sign-in methods automatically.

You do not need a wallet to explore the map or draw a shape. A connected wallet is only required to submit a registration transaction.

For wallet options and troubleshooting, see the Wallet Setup page.

Step 2: Explore the Map​

The app loads a full-screen interactive map. Registered parcels appear as colored polygons layered on the base map.

  • Hierarchy breadcrumbs at the top show the current level (Continents, Countries, Districts, Parcels). The map switches levels automatically as you zoom.
  • Click any parcel to open its detail card showing owner address, current price, area, and metadata.
  • Zoom and pan freely. The app centers on your approximate location on first load, but you can navigate anywhere.

Every colored shape on the map is an on-chain parcel that someone registered — and every parcel is always for sale at its current price plus a premium.

For more about map navigation and hierarchy levels, see Navigating the Map.

Step 3: Draw Your First Parcel​

When you are ready to claim land:

  1. Click "Draw New Parcel" in the top center bar (the label changes with the active hierarchy level — it might say "Draw New District" or similar).
  2. The cursor changes to a crosshair. Click on the map to place vertices one by one.
  3. As you place points, the app shows a live preview of the shape, its area, and an estimated registration cost.
  4. Drag any vertex to adjust its position. The area and price estimate update in real time.
  5. If your shape overlaps an existing parcel or has invalid geometry, the app highlights the problem with a warning.

Tips for a clean shape:

  • You need at least three vertices.
  • Keep lines from crossing — the app flags self-intersecting geometry.
  • Vertices near an existing parcel boundary snap to that boundary, helping you draw parcels that fit together without gaps.

When you are happy with the shape, click "Complete".

Step 4: Register On-Chain​

After clicking Complete, the app builds an integer-geometry representation of your polygon and shows a registration card:

  • Area and perimeter of the final shape.
  • Total price broken into base price, treasury fee, and hierarchy pool contribution.
  • The hierarchy level for registration.

Review the details, then:

  1. Click "Register". If you have not connected a wallet, the app prompts you to sign in first, then submits automatically.
  2. Your wallet asks you to approve the transaction and SUI payment.
  3. Wait a few seconds for on-chain confirmation. The app shows a step indicator during the process.

Once the transaction succeeds, your parcel appears on the map tied to your address. You are now a landowner on merca.earth.

If the transaction fails, the app explains what went wrong (overlap detected, insufficient balance, etc.). Adjust the shape and try again — your draft is preserved.

What's Next​

Now that you own a parcel:

  • Name and customize your land. Use the metadata editor to add a name, description, or freehand overlay. See Metadata and Naming.
  • Expand your territory. Use expand, rebalance, or acquire tools to grow into unclaimed space or take slices from neighbors. See Register Land.
  • Buy existing parcels. Every parcel is always for sale. Click any parcel to see its buyout price. See Buy Land.
  • Earn from your holdings. Collect premiums on sales and withdraw cascading tax revenue from child parcels. See Earning.
  • Understand the economics. Learn how pricing, premiums, and taxes work. See Pricing.
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