> Source: [/docs/guide/mercator](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/guide/mercator.md) > Section: [Machine Payments](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/agents.md). Pay for APIs, accept API payments, find services, and use Machine Payments Protocol (MPP). > [Documentation index](https://tempo.xyz/developers/llms.txt) · [Docs skill](https://tempo.xyz/developers/SKILL.md) > Tempo MCP: Use `search`, `find_pages`, `read_page`, and `code` at `https://mcp.tempo.xyz` for Tempo and related documentation. > If an indexed page is missing or reflects an older site, read this site’s [documentation index](https://tempo.xyz/developers/llms.txt) and Markdown pages directly. # Mercator [Mercator](https://mercator.sh/docs) connects AI agents to paid tools and services through one interface. Your agent can search the web, research companies, enrich records, or call a model without you integrating each provider separately. Connect it to your agent through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), or build an integration with its REST API. Give your agent a task and a budget. For example, ask it to research three competitors and turn the findings into a sourced brief. The agent uses Mercator to find services, get a price for the selected tool calls, and pay for and run them as one job. You can retrieve the results later, even if the agent disconnects. Mercator coordinates discovery, payment, and execution across independently operated services. It uses the [Machine Payments Protocol](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/guide/machine-payments) (MPP) for payments on Tempo and also supports providers using x402. Discovery and quotes are free; paid execution stays within your authorized wallet limits and any additional budget you give the agent. ## Connect Mercator to your agent For an installed coding agent, follow these steps. For web apps or managed environments, use [Mercator's agent setup guide](https://mercator.sh/setup). :::steps ### Install Mercator Run the installer on the computer where your agent runs, then select the clients you want to connect: ```bash curl -fsSL https://mercator.sh/install.sh | sh ``` If you already use the Tempo plugin marketplace, you can [install `mercator@tempo` directly](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/guide/using-tempo-with-ai#install-the-mercator-plugin). ### Authorize your agent Load the installed configuration and complete authorization in your agent. Choose the wallet access and spending limits for that connection. Follow the [client-specific setup instructions](https://mercator.sh/setup#agent-setup) if Mercator's tools are not available. ### Verify the connection Ask your agent: ```text Search Mercator for web research services and check my Mercator connection status. Do not run a paid job. ``` The agent checks `search_services` and `get_connection_status`. These calls are free. Complete any authorization or funding steps before starting paid work. ::: ## Run a quoted workflow Describe the result you need and how much the agent may spend. For example: ```text Use Mercator to find Apple's latest 10-Q filing. Return the filing date, an official source link, and a short summary. Show me the quote before running a paid job. ``` Discovery and quotes are free. Paid jobs use the wallet and spending limits approved during authorization. You can manage access and funding in [Mercator Account](https://mercator.sh/account). If a job is still running, keep its job ID and ask your agent to resume checking it. See [Mercator's job guide](https://mercator.sh/docs#run-your-first-job) for the complete flow. ## Integrate or publish a Mercator service Use the [Mercator documentation](https://mercator.sh/docs) for MCP tools, REST endpoints, quotes, and job status. If you operate a paid API, follow the [service-owner guide](https://mercator.sh/docs#mercator-for-service-owners) to make it discoverable. To add MPP payments to your service first, use the [Accept payments for an API](https://tempo.xyz/developers/docs/guide/machine-payments/server).