Bybit Environments And Common Errors
Most Bybit connection failures are not caused by the API key itself. They are caused by a mismatch between the key, the selected environment, and the permissions the key actually has.
What this is
This article explains how SteadyEdge treats Bybit environments and how to diagnose the most common validation errors.
When to use it
Use this article if:
- you are connecting a Bybit account
- a Bybit account fails validation
- the platform reports a Bybit permission or environment problem
Before you start
Important behavior:
- SteadyEdge lets you connect Bybit in main , testnet , or demo
- the selected environment must match where the key was created
- SteadyEdge validates the key by calling account endpoints and user API-info endpoints
- the validation rejects read-only or non-trading keys
Official Bybit API domains currently documented by Bybit include:
- mainnet REST: https://api.bybit.com
- testnet REST: https://api-testnet.bybit.com
- mainnet demo REST: https://api-demo.bybit.com
Step by step
Step 1: Pick the correct environment
Choose the environment that matches where the key was created:
- Main
- Testnet
- Demo
A valid key in the wrong environment behaves like an invalid connection.
Step 2: Use a trade-enabled API key
When you create the key on Bybit, make sure it has real trading permission.
In SteadyEdge's validation logic, read-only keys are rejected. Product-specific trade permission also matters:
- spot setups need spot-trading permission
- futures setups need contract-trading permission
Do not enable withdrawals, asset transfers, sub-account management, or other admin-style permissions. SteadyEdge does not use them.
Step 3: Check validation results inside SteadyEdge
After saving the account, SteadyEdge validates it immediately. Review:
- validation status
- validation error message
- last successful validation time when available
If the account is not valid, fix the environment or permissions before trying to use it in a bot.
Step 4: Interpret common Bybit errors correctly
Two Bybit API codes are especially important here:
- 10003 : the API key and domain do not match
- 10005 : permission denied
If you see 10003 , re-check the selected environment first.
If you see 10005 , check:
- trade permissions on the key
- any IP whitelist restrictions on the key
- whether the selected environment matches the key domain
Step 5: Re-test after every exchange-side change
After changing permissions, whitelists, or environment selection, run validation again inside SteadyEdge instead of assuming the account will recover automatically.
What you should see
A healthy Bybit account in the platform should show:
- the correct environment
- a valid status
- no active validation error
- availability in the bot editor account dropdown
Common mistakes
- creating a testnet or demo key and connecting it as Main
- ignoring IP whitelist restrictions on the Bybit side
- assuming a permission error means the secret is wrong
- trying to debug the bot editor before fixing account validation
- creating the key in Bybit demo mode and then using a non-demo domain
Related articles
- Connect Exchange Account
- Binance Environments And Common Errors
- Bot Core Fields: Exchange, Symbol, Side, Leverage, And Sizing