Access Instagram hashtag graph API

Question

Apologies for what should be a basic question, but i've hit the end of my rope. I'm trying to resurrect an old project that used the instagram API to search for posts based on a given hashtag (long before the graph API). Previously this was very simple to go to the developer page, apply for an API token and then hit the URL. Things have changed massively with the newer graph endpoints and i'm struggling to understand what to do, and hitting bugs/issues with facebooks developer tooling at every step of the way

What I want to do:
Given a hashtag string, find the hashtag id and then poll this endpoint once, lets say, every 30 seconds: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-graph-api/reference/ig-hashtag/recent-media

Later I want to try search for comments on these posts too, but that will depend on a few things as I go

Whats wrong:
Every attempt to make use of this (by creating an app on the dashboard, waiting for verification, and generating a token) just keeps returning that the token is invalid, or the account is not valid. Lots of the documentation seems to be out of date and referencing an older setup. Some docs say that this endpoint requires a business account + business app. Although I didn't want to, I migrated my personal instagram account to a business account, and tried to create a business app which is an extremely convoluted process requiring business verification, for simple access to an endpoint. I don't have a business so I can't fully complete this process.

I've tried to ask for help via the meta developer community, but it won't load for many days now:

If I try jump directly into the instagram community section via google, it will load, but I keep getting a popup to say that my profile is incomplete. If I click to complete, it doesn't do anything. If I dismiss it, it just keeps popping up. If I go directly to my profile, it won't let me add anything. The community page won't let me do anything without the profile

I've tried to report a bug via the tool, but it tells me I can't do that here, as this bugs should be directed to the community portal ... which I can't get into

... this has been an EXTREMELY painful experience over the course of several days which has me regretting trying to use instagram again

What I need:
Can someone please provide step-by-step instructions on what I need to do to create the appropriate access token to hit this endpoint. Including the process of creating whichever type of developer app I need in the dashboard.

I don't have a server, a domain, a business, or even a project name ... i'm simply trying to generate a once off access token, hit this endpoint via a project running on my local machine to experiment with an idea. Thanks