> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hashlock.markets/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Roles

> Taker, maker, initiator and counterparty — and which leg each one funds.

Two independent pairs of roles apply to every swap.

## Taker and maker (who asked, who answered)

| Role | Does | API scope |
| - | - | - |
| **Taker** | Creates the RFQ. | `taker` |
| **Maker** | Quotes an RFQ, which opens a thread. | `maker` |

The legs are named from the maker's side:

| Leg | Funded by | Received by |
| - | - | - |
| `a` | maker (the asset the maker gives) | taker |
| `b` | taker (the asset the maker wants) | maker |

Both roles use the same endpoints for negotiation and settlement. One API key can hold both scopes.

## Initiator and counterparty (who holds the secret)

| Role | Holds | Funds | Claims |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Initiator** | the secret; sends `hashlock` on accept | the **long** leg, first | the short leg, revealing the secret |
| **Counterparty** | nothing secret | the **short** leg, after the initiator | the long leg, with the revealed secret |

The initiator is not chosen by who asked. It is chosen by the chains: whoever funds the leg on the chain with the longer safe timelock is the initiator. On a tie, the taker (leg `b`) is the initiator. See [HTLC and timelocks](/concepts/htlc-and-timelocks#how-the-server-picks-them).

Example: a taker selling BTC for Sepolia USDT funds the Bitcoin leg (24 h), so the taker is the initiator.

<Tip>
  You learn whether you are the initiator from the thread: the server refuses the initiator's `accept` without a `hashlock`. Treat any refusal that asks for a hashlock as "you are the initiator".
</Tip>

## The keeper

The **keeper** is a server process. It can submit `claim` and `refund` calls on chains where those calls are permissionless, so a leg settles even if its party is offline. It never receives user principal: a claim pays the leg's fixed recipient, a refund pays the funder. See [Non-custodial guarantees](/concepts/non-custodial).