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43 changes: 5 additions & 38 deletions sources/platform/integrations/ai/mcp.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -326,47 +326,14 @@ For a detailed overview of client support for dynamic discovery, see the [MCP cl

:::

## Agentic payments with Skyfire
## Agentic payments

The Apify MCP server integrates with [Skyfire](https://www.skyfire.xyz/) to enable _agentic payments_. This allows AI agents to autonomously pay for Actor runs without requiring an Apify API token. Instead of authenticating with an Apify token, the agent uses Skyfire _PAY tokens_ to cover billing for each tool call.
Agentic payments allow AI agents to autonomously pay for Actor runs without requiring an Apify API token. The Apify MCP server supports two payment methods:

### Prerequisites
- [x402 protocol](/platform/integrations/x402) - Direct on-chain payments using USDC on the [Base](https://www.base.org/) blockchain via the open [x402](https://www.x402.org/) standard.
- [Skyfire](/platform/integrations/skyfire) - Managed payment tokens through the [Skyfire](https://www.skyfire.xyz/) payment platform.

- _Skyfire account_ - Sign up for a [Skyfire account](https://www.skyfire.xyz/) and fund your wallet.
- _MCP client with multi-server support_ - An MCP client that supports multiple servers, such as Claude Desktop or VS Code.

### Setup

Configure both the Skyfire MCP server and the Apify MCP server in your client. Enable payment mode by adding the `payment=skyfire` query parameter to the Apify server URL:

```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"skyfire": {
"url": "https://api.skyfire.xyz/mcp/sse",
"headers": {
"skyfire-api-key": "<YOUR_SKYFIRE_API_KEY>"
}
},
"apify": {
"url": "https://mcp.apify.com?payment=skyfire"
}
}
}
```

Replace `<YOUR_SKYFIRE_API_KEY>` with your API key from your [Skyfire dashboard](https://www.skyfire.xyz/).

### How it works

When Skyfire payment mode is enabled, the agent handles the full payment flow autonomously:

1. The agent discovers relevant Actors via `search-actors` or `fetch-actor-details` (these remain free).
1. Before executing an Actor, the agent creates a PAY token using the `create-pay-token` tool from the Skyfire MCP server (minimum $5.00 USD).
1. The agent passes the PAY token in the `skyfire-pay-id` input property when calling the Actor tool.
1. The Actor returns results as usual. Unused funds on the token remain available for future runs or return upon expiration.

To learn more, see the [Skyfire integration documentation](/platform/integrations/skyfire) and the [Agentic Payments with Skyfire](https://blog.apify.com/agentic-payments-skyfire/) blog post.
For setup instructions and details, see the individual integration pages.

## Telemetry

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4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions sources/platform/integrations/ai/skyfire.md
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Expand Up @@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ Agentic payments enable AI agents to autonomously run Apify Actors using third-p

Apify supports agentic payments through _Skyfire_, a payment network specifically designed for AI agents.

:::warning Experimental feature
:::caution Experimental feature

Keep in mind that agentic payments are an experimental feature and may undergo significant changes considering the rapid evolution of payment protocols and AI technologies.
Agentic payments are an experimental feature and may change significantly as payment protocols and AI technologies evolve.

:::

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74 changes: 74 additions & 0 deletions sources/platform/integrations/ai/x402.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
---
title: Agentic payments with x402 protocol
sidebar_label: x402
description: Use the x402 protocol to enable AI agents to autonomously pay for Apify Actor runs using USDC on the Base blockchain.
sidebar_position: 19
slug: /integrations/x402
---

Agentic payments enable AI agents to autonomously run Apify Actors using third-party payment providers, without requiring traditional Apify user accounts. This allows agents to discover, execute, and pay for web scraping and automation tasks independently.

Apify supports agentic payments through the [x402 protocol](https://www.x402.org/), an open standard for internet-native payments.

:::caution Experimental feature

Agentic payments are an experimental feature and may change significantly as payment protocols and AI technologies evolve.

:::

## What is x402

The [x402 protocol](https://www.x402.org/) is an open standard for internet-native payments. It enables direct on-chain payments using USDC on the [Base](https://www.base.org/) blockchain.

The Apify MCP server implements an MCP extension of this protocol to support agentic payments. The client automatically detects payment requirements in the tool's metadata and signs a USDC payment on the Base blockchain (mainnet). This payment is included with the tool call - no human intervention needed.

## Use x402 with Apify MCP server

The [Apify MCP server](/platform/integrations/mcp) provides the simplest way for agents to access Apify's Actor library using x402 payments.

### Prerequisites

- _`mcpc` CLI_ - Install the [`mcpc` CLI](https://github.com/apify/mcp-cli) (`npm install -g @apify/mcpc`), the Universal MCP command-line client.
- _USDC on Base_ - A wallet funded with USDC on the [Base](https://www.base.org/) mainnet blockchain.

### Setup

Set up a local wallet and connect to the Apify MCP server with x402 payment support.

1. Create or import a wallet:

```bash
# Create a new wallet (generates a random private key)
mcpc x402 init

# Or import an existing wallet from a private key
mcpc x402 import <private-key>

# Verify your wallet address
mcpc x402 info
```

1. Fund the wallet with USDC on Base mainnet.

1. Connect to the Apify MCP server with x402 payment mode enabled. Add the `?payment=x402` query parameter to the server URL and pass the `--x402` flag to `mcpc`:

```bash
mcpc connect "mcp.apify.com?payment=x402" @apify --x402
```

1. Call tools as usual. Payments are handled automatically:

```bash
mcpc @apify tools-call call-actor actor:="apify/rag-web-browser" input:='{"query": "latest AI news"}'
```

### How it works

When x402 payment mode is enabled, the agent handles the full payment flow autonomously:

1. The Apify MCP server advertises payment requirements in each paid tool's metadata.
1. When `mcpc` calls a paid tool, it automatically signs a USDC payment using your local wallet and includes it in the request.
1. The server verifies and settles the payment on-chain, then executes the tool and returns the result.
1. If a tool is called without a payment, the server responds that payment is required and `mcpc` signs and retries automatically.

The Apify MCP server requires a minimum transaction of $1.00. The server tracks the payment as a balance. Subsequent tool calls draw from this balance without requiring a new on-chain transaction. When the balance runs out, `mcpc` automatically signs a new payment to top it up. After a period of inactivity, the server refunds any remaining unused balance to the client's wallet address on the Base blockchain.
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