> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/hinkal-wallet/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

### Wallet Setup

Hinkal Wallet supports three ways to access and manage funds:

* connect an existing external wallet
* create a new wallet with a 12-word recovery phrase
* import an existing hinkal wallet

You’ll learn what each path means for recovery, privacy, and day-to-day convenience.

### **Account Model**

Hinkal Wallet uses a dual-account model:

* **Private account,** where funds are held within a confidential balance in the Hinkal smart contract
* P**ublic account**, which behaves as a standard on-chain wallet

Users can move assets between these accounts using:

* **Shield** (public → confidential)
* **Unshield** (confidential → public)

This model allows users to switch between public and confidential activity depending on the use case.

### Gas Tokens

Hinkal Wallet supports gas abstraction.

Users can pay transaction fees using supported tokens such as SOL, ETH, USDC, USDT, or DAI.

A relayer submits the transaction on-chain and covers the native gas cost. The equivalent value is deducted from the user’s selected token.