diff --git a/host/wallet_bootstrap.py b/host/wallet_bootstrap.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..333bdcfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/wallet_bootstrap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Deposit-wallet bootstrap: mint a Builder API key with existing auth, then
+let the SDK deploy the signer's default Deposit Wallet (gasless). Prints the
+deposit wallet address — the destination for the live bankroll under the new
+architecture. Deploys an EMPTY wallet; moves no funds."""
+import os
+from polymarket import SecureClient
+
+pk = os.environ["LIVE_PRIVATE_KEY"].strip()
+funder = os.environ["LIVE_FUNDER_ADDRESS"].strip()
+
+print("1) auth with legacy wallet ref (no deploy)…")
+c1 = SecureClient.create(private_key=pk, wallet=funder)
+with c1:
+    print("   auth OK")
+    try:
+        bk = c1.create_builder_api_key()
+        print("   builder key minted:", str(bk)[:60], "…")
+    except Exception as e:
+        print("   builder key failed:", type(e).__name__, str(e)[:200])
+        raise SystemExit(1)
+
+print("2) reconstruct with api_key, no wallet → deploy default Deposit Wallet…")
+try:
+    c2 = SecureClient.create(private_key=pk, api_key=bk)
+    with c2:
+        for attr in ("wallet", "address", "deposit_wallet"):
+            v = getattr(c2, attr, None)
+            if v:
+                print(f"   c2.{attr} = {v}")
+        print("   DEPOSIT WALLET READY")
+except Exception as e:
+    print("   deploy failed:", type(e).__name__, str(e)[:300])