# Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](LICENSE) [![CLA](https://img.shields.io/badge/CLA-Required-red.svg)](legal/cla/) [![Maintained by](https://img.shields.io/badge/Maintained%20by-OpenAI%20%26%20Stripe-00ADD8.svg)](MAINTAINERS.md) [![Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/Status-Beta-blue.svg)](changelog/) The **Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP)** is an interaction model and open standard for connecting buyers, their AI agents, and businesses to complete purchases seamlessly. The specification is [maintained](MAINTAINERS.md) by **OpenAI** and **Stripe** and is currently in `beta`. - **For businesses** - Reach more customers. Sell to high-intent buyers by making your products and services available for purchase through AI agents—all while using your existing commerce infrastructure. - **For AI Agents** - Embed commerce into your application. Let your users discover and transact directly with businesses in your application, without being the merchant of record. - **For payment providers** - Grow your volume. Process agentic transactions by passing secure payment tokens between buyers and businesses through AI agents. Learn more at [agenticcommerce.dev](https://agenticcommerce.dev). --- ## 📦 Repo Structure ``` rfcs/ ├── rfc.agentic_checkout.md ├── rfc.capability_negotiation.md ├── rfc.payment_handlers.md ├── rfc.seller_backed_payment_handler.md ├── rfc.extensions.md ├── rfc.discount_extension.md └── ... spec/ ├── 2025-09-29/ # Initial release ├── 2025-12-12/ # Fulfillment enhancements ├── 2026-01-16/ # Capability negotiation ├── 2026-01-30/ # Extensions, discounts, payment handlers ├── 2026-04-17/ # Cart, feed, orders, authentication, and MCP └── unreleased/ # Current development examples/ ├── 2025-09-29/ ├── 2025-12-12/ ├── 2026-01-16/ ├── 2026-01-30/ ├── 2026-04-17/ └── unreleased/ changelog/ ├── 2025-09-29.md ├── 2025-12-12.md ├── 2026-01-30.md ├── 2026-04-17.md └── unreleased/ # Individual changelog entries (current development) docs/ ├── governance.md ├── principles-mission.md └── sep-guidelines.md legal/cla/ ├── INDIVIDUAL.md ├── CORPORATE.md └── SIGNATORIES.md ``` --- ## 🔗 Quick Links | Spec Type | Latest Stable | Description | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **RFC (Markdown)** | [rfcs/](rfcs/) | Human-readable design doc with rationale, flows, and rollout plan. | | **OpenAPI (YAML)** | [spec/2026-04-17/openapi/](spec/2026-04-17/openapi/) | Machine-readable HTTP API spec for integrating checkout endpoints. | | **JSON Schema** | [spec/2026-04-17/json-schema/](spec/2026-04-17/json-schema/) | Data models for payloads, events, and reusable objects. | | **Examples** | [examples/2026-04-17/](examples/2026-04-17/) | Sample requests, responses. | | **Changelog** | [changelog/](changelog/) | API version history and breaking changes. | --- ## 📅 Versioning ACP uses **date-based versioning** in `YYYY-MM-DD` format. Each version represents a complete snapshot of the specification at that point in time. ### Version Structure | Directory | Purpose | | --------- | ------- | | `spec//` | Complete spec snapshot for a released version | | `spec/unreleased/` | Current development (not yet released) | | `examples//` | Examples matching each spec version | | `changelog/.md` | Release notes for each version | ### Version Lifecycle 1. **unreleased/** - New features and changes are developed here 2. **Released** - When ready, `unreleased/` is snapshotted to a dated version (e.g., `2026-01-16/`) 3. **Deprecated** - Older versions remain available but are marked deprecated in the changelog --- ## 🛠 Getting Started ACP has been **first implemented by both OpenAI and Stripe**, providing production-ready reference implementations for merchants and developers: - [OpenAI Documentation](https://developers.openai.com/commerce/) - [Stripe Agentic Commerce Documentation](https://docs.stripe.com/agentic-commerce) To start building with ACP: 1. Review this repo's [OpenAPI specs](spec/2026-04-17/openapi/) and [JSON Schemas](spec/2026-04-17/json-schema/) for the latest stable version. 2. Choose a reference implementation: - Use OpenAI's implementation to integrate with ChatGPT and other AI agent surfaces. - Use Stripe's implementation to leverage its payment and merchant tooling. 3. Follow the guides provided in the linked documentation. 4. Test using the [examples](examples/2026-04-17/) provided in this repo. --- ## 📚 Documentation | Area | Resource | | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Checkout API Spec | [spec/2026-04-17/openapi/openapi.agentic_checkout.yaml](spec/2026-04-17/openapi/openapi.agentic_checkout.yaml) | | Delegate Payment Spec | [spec/2026-04-17/openapi/openapi.delegate_payment.yaml](spec/2026-04-17/openapi/openapi.delegate_payment.yaml) | | Governance | [docs/governance.md](docs/governance.md) | | Project Principles | [docs/principles-mission.md](docs/principles-mission.md) | | SEP Guidelines | [docs/sep-guidelines.md](docs/sep-guidelines.md) | --- ## 📝 Contributing We welcome contributions! See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for: - Branching model - Pull request templates and guidelines - Spec versioning and review process - Community guidelines ### Pull Request Templates When creating a PR, choose the appropriate template: - **[SEP Proposal](.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/sep-proposal.md)** - For major protocol changes, breaking changes, or process changes - **[Minor Improvement](.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/minor-improvement.md)** - For documentation fixes, bug fixes, or tooling improvements See [docs/governance.md](docs/governance.md) for guidance on what requires a SEP. ### Contributor License Agreement (CLA) **All contributors must sign a CLA before contributions can be accepted.** - **Individual Contributors**: Automated via [CLA Assistant](https://cla-assistant.io/) when you submit your first PR - **Corporate Contributors**: See [Corporate CLA Process](legal/cla/CORPORATE_PROCESS.md) [View signed CLAs](legal/cla/SIGNATORIES.md) | [Learn more about our CLA](legal/cla/) ### All changes must include: - Updated OpenAPI / JSON Schemas (if applicable) - New or updated examples - Changelog entry file in `changelog/unreleased/` (see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details) --- ## 🏛 Governance ACP is jointly governed by **OpenAI** and **Stripe** as Founding Maintainers, with a clear path toward broader community governance. - **Governance Model**: [docs/governance.md](docs/governance.md) - **Project Principles**: [docs/principles-mission.md](docs/principles-mission.md) - **Maintainers**: [MAINTAINERS.md](MAINTAINERS.md) - **Decision Process**: Consensus-based with escalation procedures - **Future Path**: Neutral foundation stewardship as ecosystem matures --- ## 🤝 Community - **Code of Conduct**: [CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) - **Discussions**: [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/agentic-commerce-protocol/agentic-commerce-protocol/discussions) - **Issues**: [Report bugs or request features](https://github.com/agentic-commerce-protocol/agentic-commerce-protocol/issues) - **SEPs**: [Propose protocol enhancements](docs/sep-guidelines.md) --- ## 📜 License Licensed under the [Apache 2.0 License](LICENSE).