How to Price Your API for AI Agents: The Complete Guide

说明与用途

API 提供商采用按调用计费模型（$0.05/调用）并设置每日 5 次免费调用，使用 x402 和 USDC 支付，带来可预测收入和 AI 代理使用率提升。

问题

API providers lack a pricing model tailored to AI agents, leading to revenue unpredictability and poor agent adoption.

结果

Implemented per‑call pricing with $0.05/call and a 5‑call free tier; agents paid $0.125 total from two agents, proving the model works and generating a live proof chain.

工作流

• Define per‑call price and free tier limits
• Implement x402 middleware to return HTTP 402 with price and wallet
• Agents pay USDC instantly via EIP‑3009
• Agents retry with signed receipt
• API returns 200 OK and processes request
• Generate llms.txt, agents.json, openapi.json for discovery
• Publish proof chain for transparency

证据

$0.125 from 2 agents, 5 calls

来源

Agents discover prices via llms.txt/agents.json/openapi.json