> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://raiden-network.gitbook.io/raiden-network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://raiden-network.gitbook.io/raiden-network/the-raiden-web-interface/join-a-token-network.md).

# Join a Token Network

To make payments in Raiden you first need to join the network by opening channels for the token you want to make payments with.

You can join a token network by either:

* [Quick Connect](/raiden-network/the-raiden-web-interface/join-a-token-network.md#quick-connect)
* [Registering a new token](/raiden-network/the-raiden-web-interface/join-a-token-network.md#registering-a-new-token)

{% hint style="info" %}
**What is a token?**

Each token complies to its own ERC20 smart contract which has a total supply of tokens.

These token contracts are like a registry where different amounts of the total supply is mapped to different owners.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**What is a token network?**

Anyone running a Raiden node and owns a token can join a network with other nodes who own the very same token.

All nodes registered within such network form a token network.
{% endhint %}

## Quick Connect

*Quick Connect* lets you automatically open channels to nodes recommended by a Path Finding Service.

If you click the **"Transfer"** button without having any open channels for the selected token you will get prompted to use *Quick Connect*. Alternatively you can click the three dots on the top right of a token network view and choose **"Quick Connect".**

When using *Quick Connect*:

* Enter the total number of tokens you want to allocate
* Distribute the token amount between the recommended partner nodes. Only if a deposit is selected for a node, a channel will be opened.

The amount you choose when connecting is what will be available for making payments. You can always add more funds by depositing to a channel.

{% hint style="warning" %}
*Quick Connect* is an on-chain activity that will consume some of your ETH. Opening fewer channels will reduce the gas cost proportionally.
{% endhint %}

You are now ready to make the first payment!

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LnRwh5XGd-K72zIgVAv" %}
[Make a Payment](/raiden-network/the-raiden-web-interface/payment.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Registering a new token

{% hint style="warning" %}
Registering a new token is only relevant on the testnets. The tokens allowed on mainnet for the Alderaan release are DAI and W-ETH. 
{% endhint %}

If you want to join the network for a token and that token is not displayed in the list of tokens it might mean that it has not been registered.

To register a token yourself:

1. Click **"Select network"** in the tokens view.
2. Click **"Add new network"**.
3. Enter the address of the token you'd like to register and click **"Register"**.

You can follow the steps for [*Quick Connect*](/raiden-network/the-raiden-web-interface/join-a-token-network.md#quick-connect) to join the network of your newly registered token.