// GLOSSARY -- AGENTIC FINANCE
What is Agent Checkout?
Agent checkout is how AI agents autonomously complete purchases — discovering payment requirements, authorizing transactions, and confirming receipt without human checkout flows.
WHY IT MATTERS
Checkout flows are for humans: CAPTCHAs, forms, payment selection. Machine commerce needs machine-native checkout.
Protocols like x402 and KYAPay provide API-first flows: merchant advertises price, agent authorizes, settlement on-chain. No forms or CAPTCHAs.
Authorization is key: agents operate within pre-authorized policies, completing small checkouts autonomously while escalating large ones.
HOW POLICYLAYER USES THIS
PolicyLayer validates checkout flows before funds release — checking amount, vendor, and context against operator policies.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Complex multi-step checkouts?
Machine-native protocols like x402 are single-step. Browser agents can navigate human flows but are slower and less reliable.
Failed checkouts?
Retried with exponential backoff. PolicyLayer tracks failures to prevent retry storms.
Physical delivery?
Challenging. Agents specify pre-configured addresses, but logistics tracking often needs human involvement.