# Using the Archive Wizard

The Archive Wizard is the no-code way to build a dataset in the console. It walks you through three steps.

## Step 1 - Define Query

Write your query and click **RUN**. The Wizard runs it against the **last 30 days** of live data so you can preview real results and confirm the query is right.

The live match count becomes your **average posts per month** for the estimate. Your data type (News, Blogs, Forums) is detected from the query.

> [!TIP]
> New to the query language? See [Building Queries](archive-query-filters).

## Step 2 - Set Timeframe

Pick a **From** and **Until** month. The range defaults to the last **6 months** and can go back **up to 5 years**.

- The estimate updates live: **estimated posts = average posts/month x number of months**.
- Need data older than 5 years? Use [Data Dumps (since 2008)](archive-data-dumps) instead.

## Step 3 - Checkout

Review the order summary - data type, average posts/month, time frame, and estimated posts. Enter the email for the download link, then submit.

- Orders use **prepaid credits** (1 post = 1 credit). Your balance is charged by the **actual posts retrieved**. See [Pricing & Credits](archive-pricing-credits).
- No credits yet? Download a free sample first, or contact sales to buy more.

## Try a free sample

Download up to **100 posts** matching your query from the last 30 days, in NDJSON. It uses no credits and is the fastest way to validate a query.

## After you order

Retrieval takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Webz.io emails a download link when the dataset is ready, and you can check the order status on your dashboard at any time.

> [!TIP]
> Prefer to automate? The same three steps are available through the [Archive API](archive-api).