# Getting Started

# Visa CLI

Your AI agent gets a Visa card. It can buy images, music, data — anything behind a paywall. Every purchase requires your authorization before money moves.

**Your card stays safe.** Your card number is not stored on your machine — it goes straight to an encrypted vault. Default spending limits ($10/transaction, $100/day) are enforced server-side, not on your computer. You can raise or lower these limits at any time. No authorization, no charge. [Full security model](security.md)

> **Restricted Beta.** Invite-only. [Join the waitlist](https://visacli.sh) to get access.
>
> **Starting with Claude Code.** Visa CLI works with Claude Code today. Support for other MCP-enabled AI clients is rolling out.
>
> **macOS only for now.** Requires macOS with biometric or password authorization, Node.js 18+, and an MCP-compatible AI client. Linux and Windows are not yet supported.

## Set up in 60 seconds

You need **Node.js 18+** and an **MCP-compatible AI client** (such as Claude Code) installed.

> **Tip:** Not sure about Node.js? Open Terminal and type `node --version`. If you see `v18.0.0` or higher, you're good. If not, install from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org).

Run these in Terminal before opening Claude Code:

### 1. Install

```bash
npm install -g @visa/cli
```

> **Getting "permission denied"?** Try `sudo npm install -g @visa/cli` and enter your Mac password.

### 2. Run setup

```bash
visa-cli setup
```

A browser window will open. **Sign in with GitHub** and **enter your card** on a secure page. Your card number is sent directly to an encrypted vault — it does not touch your machine and your agent does not see it.

> **Authorization not working?** If your Mac doesn't have Touch ID, setup falls back to your system password. If the prompt doesn't appear at all, run `xcode-select --install` first, then try setup again.

### 3. Open Claude Code

If you ran install and setup in Terminal, just open Claude Code — Visa CLI is ready to use.

> **Already had Claude Code open?** Type `/mcp`, press Enter, arrow down to `visa-cli`, press Enter, arrow to `reconnect`, press Enter.

> **Having issues?** Check the [Error Reference](errors.md).

## Try it

Once you're set up, just ask your AI agent:

```
Generate me an image of a sunset over the mountains
```

An authorization prompt pops up: **"pay $0.06 to fal.ai"**. Approve and the image opens in your browser. Cancel and nothing happens — no charge.

```
Make me a lofi jazz track for studying
```

```
What is the price of Ethereum?
```

Everything costs pennies. See [all tools and pricing](tools/index.md) and [more recipes](recipes.md).

| What | Cost | Example |
|------|------|---------|
| AI image generation | $0.04 – $0.06 | "Generate a logo for my coffee shop" |
| AI video generation | ~$0.30 | "Make a video of waves on a beach" |
| Music generation | ~$0.10 | "Make me a chill beats track" |
| Token price queries | ~$0.02 | "What's the price of SOL?" |
| Batch operations | Per-item x count | "Generate 5 logo variations" |

Card management, tool use history, and spending controls are always free.

## Is my card safe?

Yes.

- **Your card number is not stored on your machine.** During setup, your card goes directly to an encrypted vault. Your computer and your agent do not see the full number — not during setup, not during payment.
- **Your agent gets a token, not your card.** The token only works through our server. It can't be used anywhere else.
- **Every purchase requires authorization.** A prompt shows the exact amount and merchant. No approval, no charge.
- **Server-side spending limits.** $10 per transaction, $100 per day by default — enforced by the server, not your machine. You can adjust these anytime with a single command.
- **Single-use authorization.** Each payment gets a one-time token. Previous approvals can't be replayed.

Read the [full security model](security.md) for the threat model and cryptographic details.

## Learn more

- **[Recipes](recipes.md)** — common workflows you can copy-paste
- **[Tools Reference](tools/index.md)** — every tool and what it costs
- **[Spending Controls](tools/spending-controls.md)** — set limits on what your agent can spend
- **[How It Works](how-it-works.md)** — architecture and payment flow
- **[Security Model](security.md)** — threat model and safeguards
- **[Error Reference](errors.md)** — something went wrong? Start here

> No access yet? [Join the waitlist](https://visacli.sh) to get into the restricted beta.