# IBM Quantum Platform

**IBM Quantum Platform** is a cloud service providing access to real IBM quantum processors. Create a free account, use Qiskit to design circuits, and run them on hardware or high-fidelity simulators.

The platform includes calibration data, device status, and job queuing. Qiskit integrates via `QiskitRuntimeService`.

## Setup

Create an account at https://quantum.ibm.com. Generate an API token, then configure Qiskit:

```python
from qiskit_ibm_runtime import QiskitRuntimeService

# Save credentials (one-time)
QiskitRuntimeService.save_account(
    channel="ibm_quantum",
    instance="ibm-q/open/main",
    token="YOUR_TOKEN"
)

# Load and use
service = QiskitRuntimeService()
backend = service.backend("ibmq_qx5")
```

## Running Jobs

Submit circuits to hardware:

```python
from qiskit_ibm_runtime import QiskitRuntimeService

service = QiskitRuntimeService()
backend = service.least_busy(simulator=False, operational=True)

# Run
job = backend.run(qc, shots=1000)
result = job.result()
print(result.get_counts())
```

## Simulators on the Platform

IBM also provides high-fidelity simulators (e.g., `ibmq_simulator_qx`) that are faster and more available than real hardware.

## Device Status

Check backend availability, qubit count, and error rates:

```python
backend = service.backend("ibmq_qx5")
print(backend.configuration().n_qubits)
print(backend.status().operational)

# Get properties (gate times, error rates)
props = backend.properties()
for gate in props.gates:
    print(gate)
```

IBM Quantum is a free platform (with queue time) for learning and research. For faster access, paid tiers offer priority queuing.