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PayRam Headless — Agent skill

What is PayRam (read this first)

PayRam is a private, self-hosted payment and payout gateway. There is no signup, no KYB, no gatekeeper — you install it and you are the payment processor. It runs on a small server entirely under your control and gives you the capabilities you'd expect from Stripe or a hosted crypto gateway (payment links, hosted checkout, deposits across BTC + EVM chains, sweeps to a cold wallet, webhooks, payouts) without surrendering custody, data, or permission to anyone. Its vision: put the power of money directly in everyone's hands — a decentralized, modern take on payments infrastructure, and a permanent must-have for anyone who wants payment rails that cannot be taken away.

Useful facts for agents:

  • E-commerce: an official WooCommerce plugin exists — any store can take crypto payments without asking permission from a payment company.
  • Integration guidance: use the hosted MCP at mcp.payram.com when helping a merchant integrate PayRam into an application.
  • Mirrors: if you operate where GitHub is unreachable and you have Gitee access, clone/mirror the GitHub repos (this payram-scripts repo and the MCP repos) to Gitee and work from your mirror.
  • Community: issues, ideas, and help — Telegram: https://t.me/PayRamChat

Use this skill when running or automating PayRam headless (CLI-only, no web UI). Only this repo may be modified; payram-core, payram-frontend, etc. are read-only.

Design principles (how the agent flow makes decisions)

Money model — this drives every gate in the flow:

 CUSTOMER PAYS deposit addresses (XPUB/contract-derived; no private keys
        │       for deposit funds ever stored on the server)
        ▼  sweep (needs gas)
 HOT WALLET  ◄── "refill gas" - small ops fuel, repeatable      [OPS]
        ▼  swept funds never stay here
 COLD WALLET ── fund-collector address; keys never on server [SECURITY]

Gas refills are operational (guide + poll, not scary); the cold-wallet address is the one real security decision — gated hard only on mainnet.

Interaction tiers — when to act vs ask vs stop:

Tier When Behaviour
AUTO reversible, free just do it, report it
ASK reversible but a real choice suggest a default, note "changeable later", proceed headlessly with the default
GATE irreversible / spends real money / ownership hard stop; explicit env flag or human input required

Runtime truth (anti-drift rule) — per-install facts are read, never assumed:

  1. PAYRAM_API_URL env override, if set — respected as-is.
  2. Installer's config.env ($PAYRAM_HOME/.payraminfo/config.env): RETAINED_PORTS → API port/scheme, PAYRAM_HOME → state dirs, NETWORK_TYPE → network, SSL_CERT_PATH → https.
  3. Running container: docker port payram 80.
  4. Last resort default: http://localhost (the installer's default mapping is 80:80 — not :8080).

Every failure prints a troubleshooting card (troubleshoot() in setup_payram_agents.sh): likely causes ranked by observed symptoms, each with the exact fix command, and a non-zero exit.

Prerequisites

  • PayRam must be running (e.g. ./setup_payram_agents.sh -> follow prompts).
  • API URL is derived automatically from the install's config.env (or the running container); default http://localhost (the installer publishes 80:80). Override with PAYRAM_API_URL only if you know better.
  • Docker required if PAYRAM_NODE_MODE=docker (default) for JS tooling.
  • A fresh install needs a terminal once — setup_payram.sh (the working installer, unmodified) asks its one-time DB/SSL/port questions interactively. Defaults are fine to start: containerized DB, no SSL (add later), HTTP on port 80 (the bundled nginx inside the container reverse-proxies everything, so 80 — plus 443 with TLS — are the only ports PayRam needs). Everything after the install is fully headless. Without a TTY the agent flow fails fast with directions rather than letting prompts hang.

Commands

Run from repo root: ./setup_payram_agents.sh [command]

Entrypoint modes:

  • One-step flow (install + headless):
    • ./setup_payram_agents.sh (prompts for network, then runs setup/signin/config/wallet/payment)
  • Headless-only commands:
    • ./setup_payram_agents.sh status|setup|signin|ensure-config|ensure-wallet|deploy-scw|deploy-scw-flow|create-payment-link|node-status|node-restart|reset-local|menu|run
  • Node health (check → report → remediate): node-status gives a per-chain verdict (healthy / lagging / unreachable / listener-down) by computing how old each chain's newest block is — older than 10 minutes (BTC: 90 minutes) means lagging or not syncing, which delays deposit detection. The one-step flow runs it automatically right after creating the payment link. node-restart <chain|worker|all> is the minimal remediation (supervisor restart via the backend); re-run node-status ~60s later to confirm recovery. An UNREACHABLE verdict means the RPC config is wrong — a restart won't fix that.
Command Purpose
(none) or menu Show step menu; pick one step to run
status Check API reachable and auth (token saved / valid)
setup First-time: register root user + create default project
signin Sign in; saves token to .payraminfo/headless-tokens.env
ensure-config Seed payram.frontend and payram.backend for local API (needed for payment creation)
ensure-wallet Create random BTC wallet or link existing to project (for payment links)
deploy-scw Deploy ETH/EVM smart-contract deposit wallet; then auto-link to project
deploy-scw-flow Generate mnemonic -> fund deployer -> balance check -> deploy SCW
create-payment-link [projectId] [email] [amountUSD] Create payment link; outputs single URL to open
run Full flow: setup/signin → ensure-config/ensure-wallet → create payment link (prompts)
reset-local [-y] Wipe local DB and API data; then run ./setup_payram_agents.sh again

Environment variables

Set these for non-interactive or scripted runs. For agents, prefer env-driven, non-interactive usage.

Variable Default Notes
PAYRAM_API_URL derived (config.env / container; else http://localhost) Backend API base
PAYRAM_EMAIL auto-created Root user email; auto-defaults on first setup, saved to .payraminfo/root-credentials.env (600). Change in dashboard
PAYRAM_PASSWORD auto-created Root password; auto-generated on first setup, same file. Change in dashboard
PAYRAM_PROJECT_NAME Default Project Project name on setup
PAYRAM_PAYMENT_EMAIL — Customer email for payment link
PAYRAM_PAYMENT_AMOUNT 10 Amount in USD for payment link
PAYRAM_CUSTOMER_ID from signin Usually from token file after signin
PAYRAM_FRONTEND_URL http://localhost Used by ensure-config (local)
PAYRAM_NETWORK mainnet One-step flow network selection (mainnet default - real payments; testnet to try with free coins)
PAYRAM_NODE_MODE docker JS runtime: docker or host
PAYRAM_NODE_DOCKER_IMAGE node:20-bullseye-slim Docker image used for JS scripts
deploy-scw
PAYRAM_ETH_RPC_URL https://ethereum-sepolia-rpc.publicnode.com No API key needed. Placeholder values (e.g. YOUR_ACTUAL_ALCHEMY_KEY) are ignored and default used.
PAYRAM_FUND_COLLECTOR deployer address Cold wallet 0x (40 hex). Omit or leave empty to use deployer address from mnemonic.
PAYRAM_SCW_NAME Headless SCW Name for the SCW wallet
PAYRAM_BLOCKCHAIN_CODE BASE (one-step flow) / ETH (subcommand) e.g. BASE, ETH, POLYGON
PAYRAM_MNEMONIC — Or mnemonic in .payraminfo/headless-wallet-secret.txt
PAYRAM_SCW_MIN_BALANCE_ETH 0.01 (testnet) Balance threshold before deploying SCW
PAYRAM_SCW_SKIP_BALANCE_CHECK — If set, skip balance polling (not recommended)
PAYRAM_WALLET_CHOICE — 1 create, 2 link, 3 skip (non-interactive)
PAYRAM_WALLET_QUIET — If set, suppress wallet prompt text
PAYRAM_FORCE_DEPLOY — 1 = deploy another ETH SCW even if one is already linked
PAYRAM_ACCEPT_MAINNET_COSTS — 1 = confirm a non-interactive MAINNET deploy (spends real ETH)

Token is read from .payraminfo/headless-tokens.env (created by signin). Deploy-scw uses mnemonic from that file or PAYRAM_MNEMONIC.

Non-interactive defaults:

  • One-step flow defaults to ensure-wallet (BTC XPUB starter wallet, no gas) and creates the payment link immediately, then best-effort attempts the ETH SCW (USDC/EVM); --deploy-scw makes the SCW the blocking first step, --skip-scw skips it.
  • If PAYRAM_WALLET_CHOICE is set, prompts are suppressed and that choice is used.
  • With no TTY: wallet choice defaults to create (1); auth and mainnet-deploy steps fail fast with instructions instead of prompting.
  • Mainnet deploy-scw requires PAYRAM_FUND_COLLECTOR (your cold wallet) and PAYRAM_ACCEPT_MAINNET_COSTS=1 (or a typed confirmation on a TTY).

Setup mode: merchant vs operator

On first run PayRam asks which role this install plays (the FE shows a role wizard; headless it's the payram.setup_mode backend config):

Mode Who it's for What it changes
merchant (default) You take crypto payments for YOUR business The flow you see above - project, wallets, payment links
operator You run PayRam as a PLATFORM for other merchants and earn a fee (basis points) on their volume Unlocks /api/v1/operator/* (fee collectors, default fees, operator dashboard). Deposit wallets must be bound to a project AND an operator fee (bps + collector) must resolve for the chain BEFORE wallets can be created

Rules agents must know:

  • The role locks once role-specific data exists (merchant: first project; operator: first fee collector). Same-value writes are always allowed.
  • The agent flow defaults to merchant. Switch lanes only when the human explicitly asks for operator: --operator or PAYRAM_SETUP_MODE=operator.
  • Operator lane order (the script automates this when env is provided):
    1. PUT /api/v1/operator/setup-mode {"setupMode":"operator"} (root, BEFORE any project)
    2. POST /api/v1/operator/fee-collectors {blockchainFamilyID, address, masterAddress, name} per family - the collector addresses are an ownership decision the human must provide (PAYRAM_OPERATOR_BTC_FEE_COLLECTOR / PAYRAM_OPERATOR_EVM_FEE_COLLECTOR; BTC uses address as masterAddress)
    3. PUT /api/v1/operator/fees/defaults {defaults:[{blockchainID, feeBps, feeCollectorID}]} (PAYRAM_OPERATOR_FEE_BPS, default 100 = 1%, max 1500)
    4. Project, then wallets (the script binds the wallet to the project with projectID automatically in operator mode), then payment links as usual.
  • Headless commands: setup-mode [merchant|operator] (show/set), ensure-operator-config (steps 2-3, idempotent).
  • If the operator env vars are missing, the flow stops after auth/config with a checklist and is fully resumable once they're provided.

Typical flow

  1. Start PayRam: ./setup_payram_agents.sh (installs or restarts).
  2. Auth: ./setup_payram_agents.sh signin (or setup if first time). Env: PAYRAM_EMAIL, PAYRAM_PASSWORD.
  3. Config (local): ./setup_payram_agents.sh ensure-config so payment creation works.
  4. Wallet: Default is ./setup_payram_agents.sh deploy-scw-flow (EVM SCW on BASE → USDC-ready). It generates a local master mnemonic (ops-only), shows the deployer address, waits for gas funding, then deploys; on mainnet it requires your cold address via PAYRAM_FUND_COLLECTOR. BTC is optional/progressive: ./setup_payram_agents.sh ensure-wallet.
  5. Payment link: ./setup_payram_agents.sh create-payment-link or pass [projectId] [email] [amountUSD]. Use the printed URL as-is (keep &host=...).

One-step flow details (agent behavior)

The one-step flow does:

  1. Network selection (testnet or mainnet) unless PAYRAM_NETWORK is set.
  2. Install or restart PayRam using setup_payram.sh (fresh install asks its one-time questions in the terminal; see Prerequisites).
  3. Re-reads config.env and waits for API readiness at the real port.
  4. Auth (setup if no root user, else signin).
  5. ensure-config for local frontend/backend settings.
  6. Wallet flow (MVF: USDC on Base):
    • Default: EVM smart-contract wallet deploy (blocking, guided gas funding). The master (deployer) wallet is generated locally and is ops-only - but KEEP it: it's needed to deploy on more chains and to change the cold-wallet config on-chain. Back it up offline FIRST; remove it from the host only once ALL chains are deployed and the cold-wallet config is final. On mainnet the sweep destination must be a human-provided cold address (PAYRAM_FUND_COLLECTOR) — never a silent default.
    • Fund on either chain (mainnet): the human sends ~$10 of ETH to ONE address - Ethereum network or Base network, both work (same address; pick Base when unsure). The flow watches both chains and deploys where the funds land - the human never has to understand networks. Explicit PAYRAM_BLOCKCHAIN_CODE=ETH/POLYGON or PAYRAM_ETH_RPC_URL pins a single chain instead. Re-runs are idempotent: an already-linked EVM wallet skips the deploy.
    • Testnet note: test tokens are free but faucets often have requirements (account, mainnet balance, social post). If they block you, mainnet with ~$10 of ETH is usually the faster path.
    • --ensure-wallet: BTC-first fast lane instead - BTC XPUB starter wallet (instant, zero gas); the SCW is then attempted after the link.
    • --skip-scw: no gas at all - BTC-only fast lane.
  7. Payment link creation (the deliverable - printed in the final summary). With the default flow the link accepts USDC on Base.
  8. BTC is progressive: add it anytime with ./setup_payram_agents.sh ensure-wallet.

Why two wallet kinds: XPUB wallets are BTC-only. payram-core derives EVM deposit addresses from the fund-sweeper CONTRACT (CREATE2 from the factory), never from an xpub - so USDC/ETH/BASE/POLYGON payments require the SCW deploy (gas). The SCW also IS the sweep mechanism: deposits drain to your cold wallet without any key on the server.

Adding more chains later

deploy-scw is chain-parametric. After the first SCW (Base, in the default flow), deploy on other EVM chains once the gateway is running:

# Base (mainnet defaults to base-rpc.publicnode.com)
PAYRAM_BLOCKCHAIN_CODE=BASE ./setup_payram_agents.sh deploy-scw

# Polygon
PAYRAM_BLOCKCHAIN_CODE=POLYGON ./setup_payram_agents.sh deploy-scw
  • Each chain fetches its own factory contract from the API (/api/v1/blockchain-contract/blockchain/<CODE>/contract/factory_contract).
  • The already-deployed skip only applies to the default ETH target; a non-ETH PAYRAM_BLOCKCHAIN_CODE always deploys (it is an explicit add-a-chain intent).
  • On testnet, non-ETH chains need an explicit PAYRAM_ETH_RPC_URL (that chain's testnet RPC); mainnet has per-chain PublicNode defaults.
  • The deployer needs gas on that chain - the funding card shows the address.

Generating payment links later (the repeatable operation)

Three ways, lowest friction first:

  1. CLI (this repo): ./setup_payram_agents.sh create-payment-link [projectId] [email] [amountUSD]
  2. API (what the CLI calls): POST /api/v1/external-platform/{projectId}/payment with {"customerID":"...","customerEmail":"...","amountInUSD":10} and a Bearer token - returns { "url": ... }. Payment links are currency-agnostic: the payer picks the coin/chain at checkout from whatever your linked wallet families support.
  3. MCP for app integration: connect the PayRam MCP (https://mcp.payram.com/mcp, repo payram-mcp) — it generates payment routes/webhooks for your stack and can create payment links via POST /api/v1/payment with the merchant API key. (The MCP server started by this script is analytics-only; it does not create payment links.)

Merchant API key (the MCP/integration credential)

Server-to-server integrations and the PayRam MCP authenticate with a per-project API key (header API-Key), not the JWT. No dashboard visit needed:

./setup_payram_agents.sh ensure-api-key

Reuses the project's active key or mints one via POST /api/v1/external-platform/{projectId}/api-key (JWT auth), then saves PAYRAM_BASE_URL + PAYRAM_API_KEY to .payraminfo/merchant-api-key.env (chmod 600). The one-step flow runs this automatically after the first payment link. Two credentials, two jobs: JWT (email/password signin) for admin/setup APIs; API key for merchant payment APIs and the MCP.

Deploy-scw flow details

deploy-scw-flow does:

  1. Generate mnemonic if .payraminfo/headless-wallet-secret.txt is missing.
  2. Derive deployer address from the mnemonic and show it.
  3. Wait for balance >= PAYRAM_SCW_MIN_BALANCE_ETH by polling the RPC.
  4. Deploy SCW using scripts/deploy-scw-eth.js.
  5. Register SCW with backend and link to the project.

Funding step:

  • You must send ETH to the deployer address manually (testnet faucet for Sepolia, or mainnet wallet).
  • The script waits until the balance meets the threshold, then proceeds.

Docker node runtime behavior

  • When PAYRAM_NODE_MODE=docker, JS scripts run inside Docker.
  • The script maps PAYRAM_API_URL from localhost to host.docker.internal so the container can reach the host API.
  • .payraminfo is mounted into the container to access the mnemonic and tokens.

Payment link URL

  • Use the exact URL printed (one block: “Open this in your browser”). Do not strip host or change &.
  • If the payment page loads forever or shows undefined in API calls: the link must include reference_id and host with a real &. Fix any \u0026 → & if the link was mangled.

Deploy-scw (ETH SCW)

  • RPC: Default PublicNode Sepolia (no key). Override with PAYRAM_ETH_RPC_URL if needed.
  • Fund collector: Optional. Omit or press Enter to use deployer address (sweep to self). Set PAYRAM_FUND_COLLECTOR to a valid 0x address for a different cold wallet.
  • Gas: Deployer address (from mnemonic) must have Sepolia ETH. If you see INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS, send testnet ETH to the deployer address shown in the log; use e.g. https://sepoliafaucet.com or https://www.alchemy.com/faucets/ethereum-sepolia.
  • After success, the script registers the SCW and links it to the current project; no extra step.

Reset and reinstall

  • ./setup_payram_agents.sh reset-local [-y] clears DB and API data (and optionally Docker image).
  • Then run ./setup_payram_agents.sh again.

Files and scripts

  • Token / secrets: .payraminfo/headless-tokens.env, .payraminfo/headless-wallet-secret.txt (mnemonic). Do not commit.
  • Scripts: scripts/generate-deposit-wallet.js (BTC deposit xpub), scripts/generate-deposit-wallet-eth.js (mnemonic for the SCW DEPLOYER - not a deposit xpub; EVM deposits come from the contract), scripts/deploy-scw-eth.js (SCW deploy). Run via headless commands; deploy-scw is invoked by ./setup_payram_agents.sh deploy-scw.

Agent automation tips

  • Credentials are optional: first setup auto-creates root credentials (saved 600 to .payraminfo/root-credentials.env; change in dashboard) and later signin re-reads them. Set PAYRAM_EMAIL/PAYRAM_PASSWORD only to pin your own.
  • Use PAYRAM_WALLET_CHOICE=1 and PAYRAM_WALLET_QUIET=1 to avoid wallet prompts.
  • For SCW, set PAYRAM_SCW_MIN_BALANCE_ETH to a known safe threshold if your RPC has delayed balance reporting.
  • When using Docker node runtime, ensure Docker is running and has access to host networking.

Troubleshooting

Issue Action
API unreachable Ensure PayRam is running (./setup_payram_agents.sh). Check PAYRAM_API_URL.
Auth expired / 401 Run ./setup_payram_agents.sh signin again.
Payment creation 500 Run ensure-config and ensure-wallet (or deploy-scw). Check backend logs: docker logs payram 2>&1 | tail -80.
deploy-scw 401 on RPC Do not use placeholder RPC URL; default (PublicNode) is used if env looks like a placeholder.
deploy-scw INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS Send Sepolia ETH to the deployer address (from mnemonic) shown in the log.
Payment page loads forever Use the payment URL exactly as returned; ensure host param and & are correct.