Authentication
Browser login requests nansen:api for API-key-equivalent account API permissions; existing OAuth/MCP nansen:read semantics and separate wallet authorization are unchanged.
Before any research command or loop, require an explicitly selected API key or saved browser session. Run nansen auth status first. Its cached/unverified metadata does not prove credential validity or unlocked storage. Cached access-token expiry alone does not mean the session is unusable: the CLI normally renews a selected session automatically during an already-authorized research task, without another consent request or a separate account check. Stop on anonymous selection, invalid authentication state, blocked or uncertain renewal/cleanup, or an actual authentication failure, including rejected or expired refresh authority. Follow the CLI error guidance; use the free nansen account check when troubleshooting calls for it. Do not unset a failed key, erase a session or switch to anonymous access to retry.
Use nansen login for fresh browser approval when server admission and the supported platform cohort are enabled, or configure a conventional API key. NANSEN_API_KEY overrides the saved session. OpenClaw's optional primaryEnv mapping preserves configured API-key injection; it is not a required-key gate or proof of authentication. Normal credits and entitlements apply. Login does not purchase credits. Browser rollout acceptance is still pending.
Anonymous x402 is a separate paid workflow: without a selected credential, the CLI can automatically spend funds from its configured wallet on a supported 402 challenge, once per call, including calls in loops. Do not run this research workflow anonymously. Anonymous payment requires separate explicit user intent and payment setup; it is never a fallback for failed authentication.
TOKEN=<address> CHAIN=ethereum
nansen research smart-money netflow --chain $CHAIN --limit 200
# → filter by token_address; net_flow_1h_usd, net_flow_24h_usd, net_flow_7d_usd, net_flow_30d_usd
nansen research token holders --token $TOKEN --chain $CHAIN --smart-money --limit 20
# → address_label, value_usd, balance_change_24h, balance_change_7d, balance_change_30d
nansen research token flow-intelligence --token $TOKEN --chain $CHAIN
# → smart_trader_net_flow_usd, whale_net_flow_usd, fund_net_flow_usd, fresh_wallets_net_flow_usd
nansen research token dex-trades --token $TOKEN --chain $CHAIN --limit 50
# → block_timestamp, action, trader_address_label — find oldest SM-labeled BUY
1h/24h+ & 7d/30d+ = sustained accumulation. 24h+ & 7d− = fresh entry. 24h− & 7d+ = reducing. All negative = distribution.