> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.agentcard.sh/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting started

> Agentcard allows your agent to buy anything online.

Agentcard allows your agent to buy anything online. iMessage agents use Agentcard to purchase things online on behalf of their users.

## Enable payments for your agent

Agents can buy anything online. They just need three things: (1) a browser, (2) credentials, and (3) a credit card. Agentcard offers two ways to give your agent a card: Vault, which stores and uses your users' cards, and Issuing, which creates new ones.

### <Icon icon="vault" /> Vault

Agentcard stores your user's credit cards and credentials so you can use them safely with an agent, and it helps you connect with any agent browser of your choice.

Vault main features:

* **Every card:** Works with any card from any country—consumer, commercial, or prepaid.
* **Every card network:** Works with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and more.
* **Support for every platform:** Use the Vault if you are building for web, WhatsApp, iMessage or any other platform.
* **Authorize with Face ID:** Users authorize payments with Face ID.
* **Encrypted cards:** Cards are encrypted on the user's device before they're stored.
* **Integrations:** Works with the tools you already use (most agent-browsers, e-commerce APIs and messaging APIs).

### <Icon icon="credit-card" /> Issuing

Agentcard creates a new credit card your agent can use online. Users complete KYC and can create unlimited cards.

Issuing main features:

* One-time or multi-use cards.
* Works globally (with some restricted countries).
* Credit card.
* Funds held in USDC on Base.
* Instant settlement.
* Production access in under a week.

## Differences between Vault and Issuing

As a general rule, most companies should start with Vault to store and use customers' cards. Move to Issuing only when the use case requires creating new cards. Common Issuing use cases include giving agents a card with purchase limits or enabling agents to spend from a balance held in cryptocurrencies.

|                         | Vault                                                                        | Issuing                                               |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Use when**            | User wants to make payments using personal cards (credit, debit or prepaid). | User or agent needs a new card to complete a payment. |
| **Chargebacks**         | Handled by the issuer/bank (e.g. Chase).                                     | Handled by Agentcard.                                 |
| **Points**              | User gets points like with regular purchases.                                | User gets Agentcard points.                           |
| **KYC**                 | No                                                                           | Yes                                                   |
| **Policies/guardrails** | Yes                                                                          | Yes                                                   |

## Get started with both products

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vault" icon="vault" href="/vault/quickstart">
    Store and use your users' cards.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Issuing" icon="credit-card" href="/issuing/quickstart">
    Create a new card for your agent.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>