> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://waffo.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Auth-Capture

> Split payments into two steps — authorize funds upfront and capture them only when the transaction is confirmed, reducing fraud risk and refund costs.

export const CardGroup = ({children, cols = 2}) => {
  const items = Array.isArray(children) ? children.filter(Boolean) : [children];
  const layoutColumns = items.length === 3 ? 3 : cols === 1 ? 1 : 2;
  return <div className="waffo-guide-cards not-prose my-4 grid gap-4" data-columns={layoutColumns}>
      <style>{`
        .waffo-guide-cards {
          grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) !important;
        }
        .waffo-guide-cards .waffo-clickable-card {
          transition:
            transform 180ms ease,
            border-color 180ms ease,
            box-shadow 180ms ease,
            background 180ms ease !important;
        }
        html:not(.dark) .waffo-guide-cards .waffo-clickable-card:hover {
          border-color: rgba(109, 145, 245, 0.45) !important;
        }
        html.dark .waffo-guide-cards .waffo-clickable-card:hover,
        .dark .waffo-guide-cards .waffo-clickable-card:hover {
          border-color: rgba(109, 145, 245, 0.45) !important;
        }
        @media (min-width: 768px) {
          .waffo-guide-cards[data-columns="2"],
          .waffo-guide-cards[data-columns="3"] {
            grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)) !important;
          }
          .waffo-guide-cards[data-columns="3"] .waffo-guide-card:nth-of-type(3) {
            grid-column: 1 / -1 !important;
          }
        }
      `}</style>
      {items}
    </div>;
};

export const Card = ({title, icon, href, children}) => {
  const resolvedHref = (() => {
    if (!href || typeof href !== "string") return href;
    if (!href.startsWith("/") || href.startsWith("//")) return href;
    if (typeof window === "undefined") return href;
    const docsPrefixMatch = window.location.pathname.match(/^\/docs(?=\/|$)/);
    const docsPrefix = docsPrefixMatch ? docsPrefixMatch[0] : "";
    if (!docsPrefix) {
      return href.startsWith("/docs/") ? href.slice(5) : href;
    }
    return href.startsWith(`${docsPrefix}/`) ? href : `${docsPrefix}${href}`;
  })();
  const Wrapper = resolvedHref ? "a" : "div";
  const interactiveClass = resolvedHref ? "waffo-clickable-card" : "";
  return <Wrapper href={resolvedHref} className={`waffo-guide-card waffo-hover-card block rounded-xl border border-slate-200 dark:border-neutral-700 bg-gradient-to-b from-slate-50 to-white dark:from-neutral-900 dark:to-neutral-950 p-6 no-underline ${interactiveClass}`}>
      <div className="flex flex-col items-start gap-3">
        <span className="inline-flex h-10 w-10 items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-slate-200 dark:border-neutral-700 bg-white dark:bg-neutral-900 text-blue-700 dark:text-[#4D7CFF]">
          <svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" aria-hidden="true">
            {icon === "arrow-right" && <path d="M5 12h14M13 5l7 7-7 7" />}
            {icon === "bell" && <path d="M10 21h4M18 8a6 6 0 0 0-12 0c0 7-3 7-3 9h18c0-2-3-2-3-9" />}
            {icon === "code" && <>
                <path d="m16 18 6-6-6-6" />
                <path d="m8 6-6 6 6 6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "globe" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="M2 12h20" />
                <path d="M12 2a15.3 15.3 0 0 1 0 20" />
                <path d="M12 2a15.3 15.3 0 0 0 0 20" />
              </>}
            {icon === "gear" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3" />
                <path d="M19.4 15a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 .3 1.9l.1.1a2 2 0 1 1-2.8 2.8l-.1-.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1.9-.3 1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1 1.6V21a2 2 0 1 1-4 0v-.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1-1.6 1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1.9.3l-.1.1a2 2 0 1 1-2.8-2.8l.1-.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 .3-1.9 1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1.6-1H3a2 2 0 1 1 0-4h.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1.6-1 1.7 1.7 0 0 0-.3-1.9l-.1-.1a2 2 0 1 1 2.8-2.8l.1.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1.9.3H9a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1-1.6V3a2 2 0 1 1 4 0v.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1 1.6 1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1.9-.3l.1-.1a2 2 0 1 1 2.8 2.8l-.1.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-.3 1.9v.1a1.7 1.7 0 0 0 1.6 1h.1a2 2 0 1 1 0 4H21a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1.6 1Z" />
              </>}
            {icon === "shield-check" && <>
                <path d="M12 22s8-4 8-10V5l-8-3-8 3v7c0 6 8 10 8 10Z" />
                <path d="m9 12 2 2 4-4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "circle-check" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="m9 12 2 2 4-4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "arrow-trend-up" && <path d="m3 17 6-6 4 4 8-8M14 7h7v7" />}
            {icon === "arrows-rotate" && <>
                <path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 1-15.5 6.2" />
                <path d="M3 12A9 9 0 0 1 18.5 5.8" />
                <path d="M21 3v6h-6" />
                <path d="M3 21v-6h6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "calendar" && <>
                <rect x="3" y="4" width="18" height="17" rx="2" />
                <path d="M16 2v4M8 2v4M3 10h18" />
              </>}
            {icon === "clock" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="M12 6v6l4 2" />
              </>}
            {icon === "desktop" && <>
                <rect x="3" y="4" width="18" height="12" rx="2" />
                <path d="M8 20h8M12 16v4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "calculator" && <>
                <rect x="5" y="2" width="14" height="20" rx="2" />
                <path d="M8 6h8M8 10h.01M12 10h.01M16 10h.01M8 14h.01M12 14h.01M16 14h.01M8 18h.01M12 18h.01M16 18h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "plug" && <>
                <path d="M12 22v-5" />
                <path d="M9 8V2" />
                <path d="M15 8V2" />
                <path d="M18 8v5a6 6 0 0 1-12 0V8Z" />
              </>}
            {icon === "gauge" && <>
                <path d="M12 14l4-4" />
                <path d="M3.3 19a10 10 0 1 1 17.4 0" />
              </>}
            {icon === "layer-group" && <>
                <path d="m12 3 9 5-9 5-9-5 9-5Z" />
                <path d="m3 12 9 5 9-5" />
                <path d="m3 16 9 5 9-5" />
              </>}
            {icon === "laptop-mobile" && <>
                <rect x="3" y="4" width="13" height="10" rx="2" />
                <path d="M2 18h12" />
                <rect x="17" y="8" width="5" height="12" rx="1" />
              </>}
            {icon === "paintbrush" && <>
                <path d="m14 5 5 5" />
                <path d="M4 20c2 0 4-1 4-3 0-1.1-.9-2-2-2-2 0-3 2-3 4 0 .6.4 1 1 1Z" />
                <path d="m6 15 9-9a2.1 2.1 0 0 1 3 3l-9 9" />
              </>}
            {icon === "key" && <>
                <circle cx="7.5" cy="14.5" r="4.5" />
                <path d="m11 11 8-8" />
                <path d="m15 7 2 2" />
              </>}
            {icon === "circle-minus" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="M8 12h8" />
              </>}
            {icon === "wallet" && <>
                <path d="M3 7h15a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v8a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H3Z" />
                <path d="M3 7V5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h11" />
                <path d="M16 14h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "users" && <>
                <path d="M16 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-4-4H6a4 4 0 0 0-4 4v2" />
                <circle cx="9" cy="7" r="4" />
                <path d="M22 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-3-3.9" />
                <path d="M16 3.1a4 4 0 0 1 0 7.8" />
              </>}
            {icon === "link" && <>
                <path d="M10 13a5 5 0 0 0 7.1 0l2-2a5 5 0 0 0-7.1-7.1l-1.1 1.1" />
                <path d="M14 11a5 5 0 0 0-7.1 0l-2 2a5 5 0 0 0 7.1 7.1l1.1-1.1" />
              </>}
            {icon === "eye" && <>
                <path d="M2 12s3.5-7 10-7 10 7 10 7-3.5 7-10 7S2 12 2 12Z" />
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3" />
              </>}
            {icon === "file-lines" && <>
                <path d="M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8Z" />
                <path d="M14 2v6h6" />
                <path d="M8 13h8M8 17h6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "sliders" && <>
                <path d="M4 21v-7M4 10V3M12 21v-9M12 8V3M20 21v-5M20 12V3" />
                <path d="M2 14h4M10 8h4M18 16h4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "folder" && <path d="M3 6a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h5l2 2h7a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v10a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2Z" />}
            {icon === "dollar-sign" && <>
                <path d="M12 2v20" />
                <path d="M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7H14a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "toggle-on" && <>
                <rect x="2" y="7" width="20" height="10" rx="5" />
                <circle cx="16" cy="12" r="3" />
              </>}
            {icon === "infinity" && <path d="M18.2 8.2c2.1 0 3.8 1.7 3.8 3.8s-1.7 3.8-3.8 3.8c-4.2 0-8.2-7.6-12.4-7.6C3.7 8.2 2 9.9 2 12s1.7 3.8 3.8 3.8c4.2 0 8.2-7.6 12.4-7.6Z" />}
            {icon === "book-open" && <>
                <path d="M2 4h7a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v14a3 3 0 0 0-3-3H2Z" />
                <path d="M22 4h-7a3 3 0 0 0-3 3v14a3 3 0 0 1 3-3h7Z" />
              </>}
            {icon === "circle-play" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="m10 8 6 4-6 4Z" />
              </>}
            {icon === "gamepad" && <>
                <rect x="3" y="8" width="18" height="10" rx="5" />
                <path d="M8 13h3M9.5 11.5v3M16 13h.01M18 11h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "rocket" && <>
                <path d="M4.5 16.5c-1.5 1.3-2 3.5-2 5 1.5 0 3.7-.5 5-2" />
                <path d="M9 15 4 10l6-6c4-4 9-2 10-1 1 1 3 6-1 10l-6 6-5-5Z" />
                <path d="M15 9h.01" />
              </>}
            {(icon === "flask" || icon === "flask-vial") && <>
                <path d="M9 2v6L4 20a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2L15 8V2" />
                <path d="M8 2h8" />
                <path d="M7 16h10" />
              </>}
            {icon === "credit-card" && <>
                <rect x="3" y="5" width="18" height="14" rx="2" />
                <path d="M3 10h18" />
                <path d="M7 15h4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "puzzle-piece" && <path d="M14 7V4a2 2 0 0 0-2-2H8a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v3H3a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v4a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v3a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h4a2 2 0 0 0 2-2v-3h3a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8a1 1 0 0 0-1-1Z" />}
            {(icon === "arrows-spin" || icon === "repeat") && <>
                <path d="M17 2l4 4-4 4" />
                <path d="M3 11V9a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h14" />
                <path d="M7 22l-4-4 4-4" />
                <path d="M21 13v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H3" />
              </>}
            {icon === "coins" && <>
                <ellipse cx="8" cy="7" rx="5" ry="3" />
                <path d="M3 7v6c0 1.7 2.2 3 5 3s5-1.3 5-3V7" />
                <path d="M13 10c2.8 0 5 1.3 5 3v4c0 1.7-2.2 3-5 3-1.2 0-2.3-.2-3.1-.7" />
              </>}
            {icon === "triangle-exclamation" && <>
                <path d="m21.7 18-8-14a2 2 0 0 0-3.4 0l-8 14A2 2 0 0 0 4 21h16a2 2 0 0 0 1.7-3Z" />
                <path d="M12 9v4M12 17h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "list" && <>
                <path d="M8 6h13M8 12h13M8 18h13" />
                <path d="M3 6h.01M3 12h.01M3 18h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "star" && <path d="m12 2 3.1 6.3 6.9 1-5 4.9 1.2 6.8-6.2-3.3L5.8 21 7 14.2 2 9.3l6.9-1Z" />}
            {(icon === "rotate" || icon === "arrow-rotate-left") && <>
                <path d="M3 12a9 9 0 1 0 3-6.7" />
                <path d="M3 4v6h6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "clock-rotate-left" && <>
                <path d="M3 12a9 9 0 1 0 3-6.7" />
                <path d="M3 4v6h6" />
                <path d="M12 7v5l3 2" />
              </>}
            {icon === "circle-xmark" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="m15 9-6 6M9 9l6 6" />
              </>}
            {icon === "paper-plane" && <path d="m22 2-7 20-4-9-9-4Z" />}
            {icon === "signal" && <>
                <path d="M2 20h.01M7 20v-4M12 20v-8M17 20V8M22 20V4" />
              </>}
            {icon === "circle-question" && <>
                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
                <path d="M9.1 9a3 3 0 1 1 5.8 1c0 2-3 2-3 4" />
                <path d="M12 17h.01" />
              </>}
            {icon === "palette" && <>
                <path d="M12 22a10 10 0 1 1 7.5-3.4c-.9 1-2.4.4-2.4-.9 0-1.1-.9-2-2-2h-1.4c-1.2 0-2.2 1-2.2 2.2 0 1.1.9 2.1 2.1 2.1" />
                <circle cx="7.5" cy="10.5" r=".8" />
                <circle cx="12" cy="7.5" r=".8" />
                <circle cx="16.5" cy="10.5" r=".8" />
              </>}
            {(!icon || !["arrow-right", "bell", "code", "globe", "gear", "shield-check", "circle-check", "arrow-trend-up", "arrows-rotate", "calendar", "clock", "desktop", "calculator", "plug", "gauge", "layer-group", "laptop-mobile", "paintbrush", "key", "circle-minus", "wallet", "users", "link", "eye", "file-lines", "sliders", "folder", "dollar-sign", "toggle-on", "infinity", "book-open", "circle-play", "gamepad", "rocket", "flask", "flask-vial", "credit-card", "puzzle-piece", "arrows-spin", "repeat", "coins", "triangle-exclamation", "list", "star", "rotate", "arrow-rotate-left", "clock-rotate-left", "circle-xmark", "paper-plane", "signal", "circle-question", "palette"].includes(icon)) && <path d="M13 2 4 14h7l-1 8 9-12h-7l1-8Z" />}
          </svg>
        </span>
        <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
          <h4 className="m-0 text-base font-semibold text-slate-900 dark:text-slate-100">
            {title}
          </h4>
          <div className="m-0 text-sm leading-6 text-slate-600 dark:text-slate-300">
            {children}
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </Wrapper>;
};

Standard payments are typically "Immediate Sale," meaning funds are debited simultaneously as the user pays. Auth & Capture splits the payment process into two distinct steps:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authorization" icon="key">
    Validates card validity and freezes a specified amount. The user's credit limit is reserved, but funds have not yet been transferred to the merchant.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Capture" icon="circle-check">
    Funds are only transferred after the merchant confirms the transaction (for example, goods shipped or service completed) and issues a formal debit instruction.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Core value

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Fund security & fraud prevention" icon="shield-check">
    Ensure sufficient user funds before delivering high-cost services (for example, shipping goods or invoking GPU resources). If fraud is detected, void the authorization with no financial loss.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Precise billing experience" icon="calculator">
    Supports "Freeze Cap, Deduct Actual" logic — freeze the estimated maximum, then capture only the actual amount. Adapts to business scenarios with variable pricing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reduced refund costs" icon="circle-minus">
    If a transaction is canceled, **Void** the authorization instead of issuing a **Refund**. Voiding incurs no bank processing fees, and the user's credit limit is restored much faster.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Use cases

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="AI & usage-based services">
    Ideal for scenarios with high costs and variable fees, such as AI image generation, LLM inference, and cloud compute rental.

    | Step        | Timing             | What happens                                                                                                                                                                         |
    | ----------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Auth**    | Before task starts | User submits a complex generation task. The system estimates a maximum fee of \$10 and freezes that amount, ensuring the user's card has sufficient funds to cover the compute cost. |
    | **Capture** | After task ends    | The task actually consumed 5,000 tokens valued at $4.50. The system initiates a capture for $4.50 and automatically releases the remaining \$5.50 credit limit.                      |

    <Tip>
      **Advantage:** Avoids the poor experience of "Task interrupted due to insufficient balance" while preventing merchants from giving away expensive GPU resources for free.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="E-commerce: shipment model">
    The mainstream model for US/EU e-commerce (for example, Amazon).

    | Step        | Timing             | What happens                                                                                                     |
    | ----------- | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Auth**    | At order placement | User places an order for $100; system freezes $100 credit limit.                                                 |
    | **Capture** | At shipment        | Merchant confirms stock and ships the package; system initiates a \$100 capture, and funds are formally debited. |

    <Tip>
      **Advantage:** Avoids financial reconciliation issues and fee losses caused by "User applies for refund immediately after payment" or refunds due to overselling.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Travel & rentals: deposit model">
    Applicable to hotels, car rentals, power bank sharing, and similar services.

    | Step        | Timing              | What happens                                                                                                |
    | ----------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Auth**    | At check-in/rental  | Freeze an estimated fee (for example, \$200 deposit).                                                       |
    | **Capture** | At check-out/return | Initiate a capture for the actual amount based on actual consumption (for example, room rate plus minibar). |

    <Tip>
      **Advantage:** Ensures the user's card has sufficient funds to pay potential fees, preventing bad debt.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Key capabilities & operations

### Partial capture

Supports capturing an amount less than the original frozen amount for a pre-authorized order.

<Note>
  **Scenario:** AI task estimated at $10, actual consumption $4.50.

  **Operation:** Initiate a Capture request for $4.50. The system debits $4.50 and automatically releases the remaining \$5.50 limit.
</Note>

### Void authorization

You can cancel the transaction at any time before initiating capture.

<Note>
  **Scenario:** AI task failed due to system overload; no actual cost incurred.

  **Operation:** Call the Void API.

  **Feature:** Zero cost (no processing fees), instant release (user limit restored within minutes) — far superior to refunds, which typically take 3–7 days.
</Note>

## Integration

### API integration

Set the parameter `capture_method: manual` when creating a payment order to enable pre-authorization mode. The default is `automatic` for immediate sale.

### Webhook notifications

The system sends notifications at the following nodes to help you sync business status:

| Event                       | Description                                                                |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `payment_intent.authorized` | Credit limit frozen successfully. You can start the AI task or ship goods. |
| `payment_intent.captured`   | Funds debited successfully. Funds are ready for settlement.                |
| `payment_intent.canceled`   | Pre-authorization voided or expired.                                       |

[View API documentation](/api-reference/introduction) for parameter examples and integration guides.

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long is the pre-authorization valid?">
    Typically, Visa/Mastercard pre-authorizations are valid for **7 days**. This is usually sufficient for AI services or e-commerce shipping. If you are in a special industry (e.g., long-term rentals), we can assist in applying to extend the pre-authorization window to 30 days.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why don't I see the pre-authorized money in my account?">
    Pre-authorization only "freezes" the user's credit limit; the funds are still in the user's bank account and have not been transferred to the merchant. Funds will only begin settlement and enter your account balance after you successfully call the Capture interface.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to refund if the AI task fails?">
    No "Refund" is needed because the money hasn't actually been taken. You simply need to call the Void interface or do nothing (wait for auto-expiration), and the user's limit will be restored. This is simpler than the refund process and avoids user confusion over "Charged then Refunded."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I perform multiple captures on a single authorization?">
    Currently, we primarily support Single Capture. Once you initiate a Capture (even for a partial amount), the remaining pre-authorized limit is automatically released. If you run a continuous AI service (e.g., chat stream billed by the minute), we recommend using the Tokenization feature to bind the card and initiate charges periodically (e.g., every hour or upon reaching a \$10 threshold).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

Need help? [Contact support](mailto:support@waffo.com)