FAQ
Payload helps your AI coding agent surface relevant sponsored recommendations while you build — so you can earn credit toward your AI subscription. This page covers how it works and what we collect.
What is Payload?
Payload is an agent protocol. 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 you use that recommendation, you earn credit toward your AI bill.
You stay in control. Payload does not replace your agent, swap spinners, or upload your prompts to us.
How do I install it?
Give your agent the install command from the homepage:
curl -L https://getpayload.ai/install | sh
That sets up the local Payload hooks and connects your agent to the Payload recommendation service. It works with agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.
How do I earn?
Install Payload, sign in through the user portal when available, and keep building as normal. When your agent accepts a relevant sponsored recommendation during a session, you accrue credit. Earnings apply toward your AI subscription bill — the demo on our homepage shows a running “AI bill covered” total.
Payout mechanics and minimum thresholds are still rolling out. Your portal balance may trail live activity by a few minutes.
Does Payload see my prompts or code?
No. Prompt matching for local integrations runs on your machine. Your full prompt is not transmitted to Payload servers.
When your agent calls Payload’s remote recommendation service, a short description of what you need is used in memory to pick a category — it is never logged 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 session — similar to the demo card on our homepage. When your agent is planning a build and a sponsored service is relevant, Payload surfaces it inline (for example, “Payload found a fit” with a disclosure that it is sponsored). Your agent can then use that service in the build.
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 and count toward your AI subscription coverage. Full payout and withdrawal options (including Stripe Connect for cash payouts, where available) are being added. Until then, your balance reflects credit toward your AI bill in the user portal.
How do I uninstall?
Run the uninstall path provided by the install script, or remove Payload hooks from your agent configuration. Uninstalling 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@payload.ai.
See also: Privacy Policy · Terms of Service