$PYTH

Pyth Network — data is great, onboarding is not

Tested: Pyth Terminal (SOL/USD, 1D/1W), Code panel, Feed ID copy, Solana pull-integration docs, Hermes API key flow.

What works: Terminal loads fast, charts are clean, Feed ID is easy to grab, docs have copy-paste Solana examples that actually compile.

What doesn't:

1. Hermes API key is a wall — I hit "create API key" with zero explanation of why I need it, what the free tier gives, or what happens without it. Felt like a paywall before I understood the product.

2. SendUSD live demo from the docs — couldn't find it. Docs reference it, link is dead or buried.

3. No "Copy as fetch (JS)" in the Code panel. I wanted to test a price feed in 30 seconds from console — had to hand-write the fetch from docs instead.

Suggestions:

- Add rate limit info next to the API key creation (requests/sec, what counts).

- Put an inline pull vs push decision tree at the top of the Solana integration page — I wasn't sure which one I needed for 15 minutes.

- Fix or remove the SendUSD demo link.

Verdict: solid oracle, rough edges in first-run experience. The data is trustworthy; the onboarding makes you work for it.