> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.axon402.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Core Concepts

> Runtime entities and architecture overview

AXON governs how AI agents **spend** — buying x402 resources from providers using a policy-enforced runtime. The core SSAR pipeline (Sense → Strategize → Act → Report) controls what agents can buy, when, and for how much. Mandates, approvals, circuit breakers, and on-chain settlement make up the safety layer. Start with [Mandates](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/concepts/mandates.md).

## Two product planes

AXON separates responsibilities across two planes:

* **Control plane** — dashboard and `axon-op`. This is where operators create wallets, mint keys, edit mandates, and fund treasury.
* **Runtime plane** — MCP, OpenClaw, or runtime REST. This is where a worker agent uses one wallet-scoped credential to call `governed_fetch`, read policy, handle approvals, and fetch receipts.

If you are new to AXON, start with one of these:

* [Quickstart](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/getting-started/quickstart.md) for the hosted runtime bootstrap
* [Live Onboarding](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/getting-started/live-onboarding.md) for the self-hosted operator path

## Runtime Hierarchy

```
Organization
  ├── Departments (optional)
  ├── Wallets
  │   ├── Vault wallets (master treasury)
  │   └── Agent Pocket wallets (per-agent)
  ├── Mandates (spend-side governance)
  ├── Spend Requests / Decision Events / Spend Approvals
  ├── Payment Receipts
  └── Provider Registry
```

## Architecture

| Layer | Technology | Purpose |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **API Gateway** | REST | Management and configuration |
| **MCP Server** | Model Context Protocol | AI agent interface |
| **Policy Engine** | JSON Schema evaluation | Real-time mandate enforcement |
| **Wallet Manager** | HD Derivation (BIP-44) | Secure key management |
| **x402 Client** | EIP-3009 TransferWithAuthorization | Payment signing |
| **Facilitator** | CDP x402 Facilitator | Payment verification and settlement |
| **Audit Ledger** | PostgreSQL + Event Store | Proof-of-intent logging |

## AXON's Role in x402

AXON doesn't replace x402 — it governs it. AXON adds the policy layer, budget controls, and audit trail that enterprises require before giving agents autonomous spending authority.

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    x402 ECOSYSTEM                        │
│                                                         │
│   ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────────┐     │
│   │  Sellers  │◄──►│   AXON   │◄──►│  Facilitator │     │
│   │(x402 APIs)│    │(CFO Layer)│    │    (CDP)     │     │
│   └──────────┘    └──────────┘    └──────────────┘     │
│         │               │               │               │
│         └───────────────┼───────────────┘               │
│                         │                               │
│                ┌────────▼────────┐                      │
│                │  Base Network   │                      │
│                │  (eip155:8453)  │                      │
│                └─────────────────┘                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Provider Registry

`provider_registry` stores known provider metadata such as host, path prefix, payee address, asset, and network. The runtime can operate in:

* **Soft mode** (default): allow unmatched providers but surface warnings
* **Strict mode**: reject unmatched providers (`AXON_REQUIRE_PROVIDER_REGISTRY=true`)

## Next Steps

> **[Organizations & Wallets](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/concepts/organizations-and-wallets.md)**
>
> Vaults, departments, and agent pockets.

> **[Mandates](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/concepts/mandates.md)**
>
> Policy-as-code spending controls.

> **[Spend Lifecycle](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/concepts/spend-lifecycle.md)**
>
> From request to settlement.

> **[x402 Protocol](https://docs.axon402.com/docs/concepts/x402-protocol.md)**
>
> Payment headers and settlement flow.


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