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

# Idempotency

> Ensure safe retries and avoid duplicate operations with idempotency keys

Idempotency keys let you safely retry requests without accidentally performing the same operation twice.

By default, the Zinc API will attempt to place a new order every time you send a request.\
However, if you include an `idempotency_key` in your POST request body, Zinc will guarantee that only a single order is created for that key — even if you retry the request due to a network error or timeout.

* **How to use:**
  * Add a unique `"idempotency_key"` (such as a UUID or random string) to the body of any POST request
* **Behavior:**
  * Requests with the same key will always return the same response
  * If you receive an error, you can retry with a new key
  * Once a request succeeds or fails, the order will not change for that key

## Example Idempotency Key Request

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.zinc.io/v1/orders" \
  -u <client_token>: \
  -d '{
    "idempotency_key": "<idempotency_key>",
    "retailer": "amazon",
    "max_price": 2300,
    ...
  }'
```

<Warning>
  <b>Idempotency keys are strongly recommended for all POST requests</b>\
  If you retry a request after a 5XX error <b>without</b> an idempotency key, Zinc cannot guarantee deduplication and will not refund duplicate orders.
</Warning>