> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

# Choose your wallet mode

MetaMask Agent Wallet supports two wallet modes and two trading modes. Most users should start with a server-wallet and Guard Mode.

## Wallet modes[​](#wallet-modes "Direct link to Wallet modes")

### Server-wallet (recommended)[​](#server-wallet-recommended "Direct link to Server-wallet (recommended)")

Keys are held in a Cubist TEE-backed environment. MetaMask manages key material; you retain self-custody and can export your secret recovery phrase when supported by your account.

Initialize:

```
mm init --wallet server-wallet --mode guard

```

Server-wallet mode uses an asynchronous signing model. Long-running operations return a `pollingId` unless you pass `--wait`.

### BYOK (bring your own key)[​](#byok-bring-your-own-key "Direct link to BYOK (bring your own key)")

You supply a BIP-39 mnemonic. Useful when you need local key control or an existing seed phrase.

Never pass `--mnemonic` on the command line. Set the `MM_MNEMONIC` environment variable instead:

```
export MM_MNEMONIC="word1 word2 ..."
mm init --wallet byok

```

Optionally encrypt the mnemonic at rest with `MM_PASSWORD` or `mm wallet password set`.

## Trading modes (server-wallet only)[​](#trading-modes-server-wallet-only "Direct link to Trading modes (server-wallet only)")

| Mode       | CLI flag     | Behavior                                                                                                            |
| ---------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Guard Mode | --mode guard | Default. Daily spend limits, protocol allowlists, and 2FA when a transaction violates policy.                       |
| Beast Mode | --mode beast | Opt-in. Fewer policy interruptions for scripted workflows. 2FA still triggers on malicious or flagged transactions. |

Switch modes by re-running `mm init` with a different `--mode` value, or update policies in the MetaMask developer dashboard when available.

## View current settings[​](#view-current-settings "Direct link to View current settings")

```
mm init show

```

## Next steps[​](#next-steps "Direct link to Next steps")

- [Quickstart](/agent-wallet/get-started/quickstart/)
- [Security](/agent-wallet/concepts/security/)