# Mandate

> A signed instruction or authorization record that constrains what an agent is allowed to do in a transaction.

- Category: Tools & Protocols
- Stage: Watch
- Also called: Payment mandate, Verifiable instruction
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mandate

## Plain English

It is the agent's permission slip, with limits attached.

## Example

A cart mandate records the exact purchase details before payment is authorized.

## Why it matters

Mandates are an early vocabulary for proving user intent when agents act in commerce workflows.

## Related

- [Agent Payments Protocol](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agent-payments-protocol)
- [Agentic Commerce](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agentic-commerce)
- [Approval Gate](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/approval-gate)

## Sources

- [Agent Payments Protocol](https://agentpaymentsprotocol.info/docs/introduction/)