FAQ
Payload helps your AI coding agent surface relevant sponsored recommendations while you build — so you can earn when useful recommendations are actually used. This page covers how it works and what we collect.
What is Payload?
Payload is an MCP recommendation layer. When your AI coding assistant is building something that needs a third-party service — a database, payments, hosting, and similar — Payload can suggest a sponsored option that fits the task. If your agent uses that recommendation, you can earn a share of the revenue.
You stay in control. Payload does not replace your agent, swap spinners, or upload your prompts to us.
How do I install it?
Sign in, open your setup page, and copy the install command for your agent. Payload uses a user-specific device token so confirmed recommendations can be attributed to the right account.
That setup connects your agent to the Payload MCP recommendation service. It works with MCP-capable agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.
How do I earn?
Install Payload through your signed-in setup page and keep building as normal. When your agent accepts a relevant sponsored recommendation during a session and the usage passes the eligibility checks, your account can earn 50% of that recommendation revenue.
Your portal shows pending and available balances. Payout availability depends on Stripe Connect setup, minimum thresholds, hold windows, and fraud review.
Does Payload see my prompts or code?
No. Your agent sends Payload a short description of what it needs, such as auth, storage, database, payments, or hosting. Payload uses that summary in memory to pick a category and recommendation; raw prompts and source code should not be sent or stored.
Our event pipeline explicitly rejects fields like prompt, text, query, files, transcript, and similar content.
We do not collect your source code, file names, project structure, or chat history.
How do recommendations appear?
Payload integrates with your agent through MCP. When your agent is planning a build and a sponsored service is relevant, Payload returns one structured recommendation with a disclosure that it is sponsored. Your agent can then use that service in the build if it fits the project.
There are no banner ads, spinner swaps, or separate ad windows.
What counts as a qualifying recommendation?
Credit accrues when:
- Payload surfaces a sponsored recommendation that is relevant to what you are building.
- Your agent actually uses that recommendation in the session (not just sees it).
- Your account is signed in and properly connected.
- The activity is genuine human-initiated coding — not scripted, automated, or manufactured to farm rewards.
We apply fraud detection and usage limits so honest developers are protected and abuse does not dilute earnings.
Which agents and editors are supported?
Payload is built for whatever agent you use: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and more. The install script configures hooks for your environment. Support expands over time — check the homepage or user portal for the latest list.
When do I get paid?
Earnings accrue to your account balance. Stripe Connect withdrawals are available when the Payload deployment has Stripe configured, your payout account is approved, and your available balance clears the minimum threshold.
How do I uninstall?
Remove the Payload MCP server from your agent configuration, or revoke the device token from your dashboard. Removing Payload stops new recommendations and new earnings. Contact us if you want your account deleted.
Fraud ground rules
To keep payouts honest for everyone:
- One account per person.
- Real coding usage only — no bots, scripted prompts, or farms.
- No tampering with or spoofing Payload telemetry.
- No collusion or multi-account schemes to circumvent limits.
Violations can result in withheld earnings, account suspension, or permanent removal. See our Terms of Service for details.
Contact
Questions? Email support@getpayload.ai.
See also: Privacy Policy · Terms of Service