Polymarket Builder Codes: How to Get One & Earn Revenue

Builder codes are the backbone of Polymarket's developer ecosystem. They allow third-party apps to route trades through Polymarket's infrastructure while earning revenue from the volume they generate. Top builders have earned significant income from this system—Betmoar alone has driven over $50M in trading volume through its Telegram bot.

What Are Builder Codes?

A builder code is a unique identifier assigned to developers who build apps on Polymarket. When users trade through your app, your builder code is attached to those transactions, allowing Polymarket to track the volume you generate.

Think of it like an affiliate code, but for trading volume instead of signups. Every trade routed through your app gets attributed to you, and you earn rewards based on your share of total builder volume.

How Builder Codes Work

Revenue Sharing Model

Polymarket has committed $2.5M+ in grants for builders. Revenue is distributed through multiple channels:

• Weekly Volume Rewards: Proportional to your share of total builder volume
• Grant Programs: Additional funding for innovative or high-impact projects
• Leaderboard Bonuses: Extra rewards for top-performing builders each week
• Retroactive Rewards: Occasional bonus distributions for consistent contributors

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How to Get a Builder Code

1. Build your MVP—Have a working prototype before applying. Use the Polymarket API to build your app. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it should demonstrate your concept.
2. Apply at builders.polymarket.com—Submit your project with name, description, website URL, and contact info. Be specific about what your app does differently.
3. Wait for approval—Polymarket reviews applications for quality, uniqueness, and potential impact. This typically takes 1-2 weeks.
4. Receive your code—Once approved, you'll get your unique builder code and access to builder infrastructure.
5. Integrate and launch—Add your code to API calls and start driving volume. Every trade through your app is now tracked.

Infrastructure Benefits

Besides revenue sharing, approved builders get access to valuable infrastructure that makes building easier:

• Gas-free transactions: Polymarket covers gas fees through their Polygon relayer—your users never pay gas
• Order routing: Direct access to Polymarket's orderbook and deep liquidity pools
• Developer support: Access to #devs channel on Discord with direct help from the team
• Documentation: Full API docs, integration guides, and example code
• Priority features: Early access to new API features and capabilities

Best Practices for Builders

Product Strategy

• Focus on UX: The best apps make trading easier, not harder. Simplify the Polymarket experience.
• Mobile-first: Telegram bots and mobile-friendly interfaces consistently outperform desktop-only tools.
• Niche down: Specialized tools often beat generic ones. Find an underserved user need.
• Iterate fast: Launch quickly, gather feedback, improve. Don't wait for perfection.
• Community: Engage with traders to understand their actual pain points.

Technical Best Practices

• Handle errors gracefully: API calls can fail—build robust error handling
• Respect rate limits: Don't hammer the API; use WebSockets for real-time data
• Secure user data: Never store private keys; use proper authentication
• Test thoroughly: Use testnet before mainnet; start with small amounts

Builder Code Integration Example

Here's how to include your builder code in API calls:

// Include builder code in order payload
const order = {
  tokenID: "123...",
  side: "BUY",
  size: 100,
  price: 0.55,
  feeRateBps: 100,
  builderCode: "YOUR_BUILDER_CODE" // Add this field
};

// The builderCode is included in the signed order
// and tracked on-chain for attribution

The builder code must be included in every order for proper attribution. Missing or invalid codes won't earn rewards.

Top Builder Categories

The most successful builders typically fall into these categories:

• Trading Bots: Telegram bots like Betmoar dominate volume—fast mobile trading is in demand
• Analytics Platforms: Tools like Polysights and HashDive help traders research markets
• Whale Trackers: Following smart money is a proven strategy—tools that enable this are valuable
• Portfolio Managers: P&L tracking and position management tools
• Alert Systems: Price and activity alerts via Telegram/Discord

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Building without users: Talk to traders first; understand what they actually need
• Copying existing tools: Differentiate or don't bother—the market has enough clones
• Ignoring mobile: Most trading happens on phones; desktop-only tools struggle
• Over-engineering: Ship fast, iterate based on feedback, don't build in isolation
• Poor error handling: When things break, users leave and don't come back

Resources for Builders

• Apply to Builders Program: builders.polymarket.com
• Official Documentation: docs.polymarket.com/developers/builders
• API Guide: Complete Polymarket API Guide
• Discord: Join #devs channel for support and community
• GitHub: Official SDKs and example implementations