# Activation

Activate the Smart Routing service for your merchant group to start creating rulesets and routing payments.

## Before you start

To use smart routing, you'll need to have a subscription to the smart routing service. You'll also need to have the correct role and permissions to create, edit, and view rules. [Learn more about roles](/guides/get-started/user-management).

## Activate the service

1. In the Unity Portal, go to **Merchant setup > Merchant groups**.
2. Select a merchant group.
3. In the *Services* tab, find the *SMART routing service*.
4. Switch its *Active* toggle to on.


Your service is now activated and you're ready to [create your first ruleset](/guides/smart-routing/create-rulesets).