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

# Quick Start

Get started monetizing your private IPFS files with x402 in just a few minutes.

With x402, you monetize your private files by setting payment requirements. Payments go directly to your wallet. You control the price and receive the funds.

<Note>
  x402 is available on paid Pinata accounts. [Upgrade your account](https://app.pinata.cloud/billing) to access x402 monetization features.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

* Paid Pinata account
* [Pinata SDK](/sdk/getting-started) installed
* Ethereum wallet address to receive payments

## Step 1: Upload a Private File

First, upload a file to Private IPFS:

```typescript theme={null}
import { PinataSDK } from "pinata";

const pinata = new PinataSDK({
  pinataJwt: process.env.PINATA_JWT!,
  pinataGateway: "your-gateway.mypinata.cloud",
});

const file = new File(["file contents"], "your-file.pdf", {
  type: "application/pdf",
});
const upload = await pinata.upload.private.file(file);
const cid = upload.cid;
```

Save the returned `cid` for the next step.

## Step 2: Create a Payment Instruction

Define your payment requirements:

```typescript theme={null}
const instruction = await pinata.x402.createPaymentInstruction({
  name: "Premium Content Access",
  description: "One-time payment for file access",
  payment_requirements: [
    {
      asset: "0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913", // USDC on Base
      pay_to: "YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS", // YOU receive payments here
      network: "base",
      description: "Access fee",
      amount: "10000", // $0.01 in USDC
    },
  ],
});
const instructionId = instruction.data.id;
```

**Understanding Payment Amounts:** The `amount` uses USDC's smallest unit. USDC has 6 decimals, so to convert USD to the token amount, multiply by 1,000,000:

| USD Amount | `amount`     | Calculation         |
| ---------- | ------------ | ------------------- |
| \$0.01     | `"10000"`    | \$0.01 × 1,000,000  |
| \$0.10     | `"100000"`   | \$0.10 × 1,000,000  |
| \$1.00     | `"1000000"`  | \$1.00 × 1,000,000  |
| \$5.00     | `"5000000"`  | \$5.00 × 1,000,000  |
| \$10.00    | `"10000000"` | \$10.00 × 1,000,000 |

**Formula:** USD Amount × 1,000,000 = token amount

**Networks:**

* Production: Use `"base"` (or `"eip155:8453"`) with `0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913`
* Testing: Use `"base-sepolia"` (or `"eip155:84532"`) with `0x036CbD53842c5426634e7929541eC2318f3dCF7e`

Save the returned `id` for the next step.

## Step 3: Attach CID to Payment Instruction

Link your private file to the payment instruction:

```typescript theme={null}
await pinata.x402.addCid(instructionId, cid);
```

## Step 4: Share Your Monetized Content

Your file is now monetized! Share this URL with requesters:

```
https://your-gateway.mypinata.cloud/x402/cid/{cid}
```

<Note>
  Replace `your-gateway.mypinata.cloud` with your actual dedicated Pinata gateway domain (e.g., `my-gateway.mypinata.cloud`), and `{cid}` with your file's CID.
</Note>

## Step 5: Test the Payment Flow

When a requester accesses your URL without payment, the gateway returns a 402 response with payment requirements:

```typescript theme={null}
const response = await fetch(
  `https://your-gateway.mypinata.cloud/x402/cid/${cid}`
);
const paymentRequirements = await response.json();
console.log(paymentRequirements);
```

Response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "x402Version": 1,
  "accepts": [{
    "scheme": "exact",
    "network": "base",
    "maxAmountRequired": "10000",
    "asset": "0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913",
    "payTo": "YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS",
    "resource": "https://your-gateway.mypinata.cloud/x402/cid/{cid}"
  }],
  "error": "Provide a valid X-Payment header to access this content"
}
```

After payment is made, requesters can access the file by including the payment proof in the `X-Payment` header.

## Next Steps

* **Manage Multiple Files**: Attach multiple CIDs to the same payment instruction
* **Update Pricing**: Use [`updatePaymentInstruction`](/sdk/x402/payment-instructions/update)
* **Monitor Access**: Check your gateway analytics to track paid downloads
* **Requester Guide**: Learn how requesters access paid content in the [Accessing Paid Content](/files/x402/x402-accessing-paid-content) guide

## Common Issues

**404 Not Found**: Verify the CID is private and correctly attached to a payment instruction

**403 Forbidden**: Check that your API key has the required permissions

**409 Conflict**: If deleting a payment instruction fails, remove all CID attachments first

Need help? Contact [team@pinata.cloud](mailto:team@pinata.cloud)

## API Reference

For direct API access, see the [x402 API documentation](/api-reference/endpoint/x402/payment-instructions-list).