Mandate

Definition

In AP2, a signed verifiable credential that records a user's authorisation; v0.2 uses a Checkout Mandate and a Payment Mandate, each open or closed.

Example

An open Payment Mandate records budget and allowed instruments before a cart is final. ap2-protocol.org, read 4 Nov 2026.

Where it appears in the sourced facts

• The current AP2 site defines a Checkout Mandate (items and purchase details, shared with the merchant) and a Payment Mandate (authorisation against an instrument, shared with credential provider, network and processor), each with open and closed stages. ap2-protocol.org, read 4 Nov 2026. In Agent Payments Protocol (AP2).
• Skyfire's homepage says it partners with card networks for tokenized card transactions and user mandate collection, listing Visa, Mastercard, Discover and USDC. skyfire.xyz, read 4 Nov 2026. In Skyfire.
• AP2: the agent collects a Checkout Mandate and a Payment Mandate as signed credentials before payment, for human-present or human-not-present purchases. ap2-protocol.org, read 4 Nov 2026. In How an agent checkout actually flows, per protocol.

Nearby terms

• Human not present
• Trusted Agent Protocol (TAP)
• Agent Payments Protocol (AP2)
• All terms