IONDEX MARKETPLACE
How IonDEX works in practice
IonDEX connects end-users who need GPU compute with providers who make machines available to the network. Access is delivered through time-boxed sessions, with a browser workspace and a payment flow secured before activation.
See the session concept first →Session flow
The session is the core unit
A session is temporary access to a specific provider machine for a defined amount of time. During the session, you work inside an isolated browser-based workspace while IonDEX coordinates preparation, activation, monitoring, and completion.
End-user
Chooses a machine, starts a session, and works inside the IonDEX IDE.
Provider
Makes a machine available and ready through the Provider Agent.
IonDEX
Verifies readiness, prepares the workspace, activates the session, monitors it, and finalizes the outcome.
Session lifecycle
Available
The machine is online and ready to accept a session.
Preparing
IonDEX is preparing the workspace and checking that everything is ready.
Pending
The session is not active yet. Final checks are still in progress.
Active
The session is live and the browser IDE is available.
Completed
The session finished normally and the final flow can proceed.
Refunded / Cancelled
The session did not complete under acceptable conditions and enters refund or cancellation handling.
What IonDEX does behind the scenes
IonDEX is not just a directory of machines. It acts as the orchestration layer that runs the same core stages for every session.
Verify
IonDEX checks whether the provider machine is available and ready.
Prepare
IonDEX prepares the runtime workspace and session environment.
Activate
The session is activated only after the required flow completes successfully.
Monitor
IonDEX monitors the session while it is active.
Finalize
The session ends as completed or moves into refund handling when needed.
Simplified sequence
For end-users
If you want GPU compute
From machine selection to browser workspace access, the goal is to make cost, timing, and session expectations clear before you begin.
Choose a machine
Select a provider machine based on GPU, VRAM, CPU, RAM, and availability. You should see the expected session cost before you start.
Secure payment
Payment is part of the flow before activation. Connect your wallet, switch network if needed, and confirm the required transaction steps.
Enter the IonDEX IDE
Once the session becomes Active, the browser IDE opens. You can view machine specs, kernel status, and the session timer.
Move data and run work
Upload smaller files directly into the workspace, or use IonDEX Cloud and Pull to Workspace for larger assets.
Manage your session time
The timer is part of the session experience. Extend the session before launching long runs or large downloads.
Finish and recover results
When the session ends, download your results. Temporary workspace backup may be available for a limited time through session history.
Wallet flow note
In token-based payment flows, users may go through steps such as wallet connection, network switching, token approval, and final transaction confirmation before the session is activated.
IDE preview
Active Session
GPU specs, kernel status, and timer
File browser
Output area
For providers
If you want to become a provider
This is the machine-readiness side of IonDEX: what you install, what must be configured, and how your machine becomes ready for sessions.
Install the Provider Agent
Sign in, go to Become a Provider, and download the Provider Agent. In alpha, the provider flow is Windows-based.
Register your device
On first launch, your machine is registered so it can be recognized in the IonDEX ecosystem.
Run Setup Environment
Use the built-in setup flow to complete and verify environment checks before going online.
Set wallet and pricing
Choose your payout wallet and define pricing for the machine you want to offer.
Go online and host sessions
Once your environment is ready and your machine is online, you can receive and complete sessions.
Environment readiness checklist
What “ready” means
The machine should pass environment checks, have payout details configured, include pricing, and be able to go online before it can reliably host sessions.
How pricing, fees, and settlement work
IonDEX uses session-based billing. The total amount is based on the selected machine and duration, plus the IonDEX service fee shown before payment is confirmed.
Smart contract
On-chain payment is secured on Base (an Ethereum L2) before the session is activated. All transactions are settled in USDC.
Credits
A session can be covered by credits when credits are available.
Hybrid
Part of the cost can be covered by credits and the rest through on-chain payment.
Refund handling
If a session completes normally, settlement proceeds through the completed path. If it does not complete under acceptable conditions, it can move into refund or cancellation handling, and the outcome should appear in session history.
Typical on-chain payment flow
Waiting for wallet confirmation…
The session is not active yet. IonDEX waits for the required confirmation steps to finish successfully.
Transaction rejected
The wallet action was rejected. The user should be able to try again from the application flow.
Insufficient balance
The balance may be too low for the session amount or network fees.
What happens to your files
During an active session, you work inside the IonDEX IDE workspace: you can upload or create files, run notebooks, and download outputs. For larger assets, IonDEX Cloud can be used as a staging flow before moving them into the session workspace.
During the session
You can upload files, create notebooks, run workloads, and manage outputs from the browser workspace.
After the session
Temporary workspace backup may be available for a limited time through session history, depending on the active retention flow.
Download your backup in time
Backup availability is time-limited. The exact public promise should match your final product policy.
Frequently asked questions
This section handles the most likely friction points before they turn into abandonment.
Do I need a wallet to start?
Yes, for on-chain payments. You will be asked to connect a wallet and complete the required steps such as network switching and transaction confirmation.
When does a session become Active?
A session becomes Active only after preparation and the required confirmation flow finish successfully.
What happens if a session does not complete?
A session can end as Completed or move into refund or cancellation handling depending on the final outcome.
What do I need to become a provider?
You need the Provider Agent, a completed environment setup, a payout wallet, pricing, and online machine readiness.
Can IonDEX support scheduled sessions?
If scheduling is enabled in the platform flow, sessions can also be aligned with predefined time availability.
Ready to try IonDEX?
Choose your side. Start your first session or bring your machine online as a provider.