Lightning Enable — infrastructure for agent commerce over Lightning.
See the full ecosystem map for all components, packages, and live demos.
Introduction to Lightning Enable
Lightning Enable is a commerce orchestration layer that allows platforms to integrate Bitcoin Lightning payments. We connect your platform to a payment provider (Strike or OpenNode), which handles all payment processing, custody, and settlement.
Before accepting payments, you must complete verification with your chosen payment provider. Lightning Enable orchestrates communication between your platform and your provider - we never touch your funds. Learn more about provider setup.
What Lightning Enable Is
Lightning Enable is infrastructure software that enables your platform to integrate Bitcoin Lightning payments:
- Lightning Enable doesn't touch funds - We are a commerce orchestration layer only
- Your payment provider processes payments - Strike or OpenNode handles custody, settlement, and compliance
- You control your provider account - Your API keys, your settlement preferences
What Lightning Enable Is NOT
Lightning Enable is a commerce orchestration layer. We are not:
- A payment processor (Strike and OpenNode are the payment software providers)
- A custodian of funds (your provider facilitates custody and settlement)
- A settlement provider (your provider handles settlement)
Strike and OpenNode are licensed payment software providers. Consult with legal counsel regarding your specific regulatory obligations when accepting Bitcoin payments.
Core Architecture
+---------------+ +------------------+ +---------------------+
| Your | | Lightning | | Payment Provider: |
| Application |----->| Enable |----->| Strike or OpenNode |
| | | (Orchestration) | | (Your API) |
+---------------+ +------------------+ +---------------------+
|
v
+------------------+
| Your Database |
| (Invoice Data) |
+------------------+
- You bring your own provider API key (Bring Your Own API Key - BYOA)
- Lightning Enable forwards requests to your payment provider on your behalf
- Your provider processes payments and handles all custody/settlement
- Webhooks notify you when payment status changes
- You fulfill orders based on payment confirmations
Core Principles
These are architectural invariants that define Lightning Enable:
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Lightning Enable doesn't hold funds | We orchestrate — funds flow to your provider |
| No control of private keys | We never generate, store, or access Bitcoin keys |
| Provider handles processing | Custody, settlement, and compliance via Strike or OpenNode |
| Subscription revenue only | We never charge per-transaction fees |
Two Plans
Lightning Enable offers two Agentic Commerce plans, both with a 30-day free trial:
1. Agentic Commerce — Individual ($99/mo)
Full L402 access for individual developers with settlement via Strike API. The fastest way to start building with Lightning payments.
Best for: Individual developers, side projects, AI builders
Learn more about the Agentic Commerce — Individual plan
2. Agentic Commerce — Business ($299/mo)
Pay-per-request API monetization using the L402 protocol.
Best for: API providers, content creators, AI services
Platform Integrations (Included with Any Plan)
- Kentico Commerce — Turnkey payment gateway for Xperience by Kentico e-commerce sites
- Shopify Commerce — L402 agentic commerce for Shopify stores
MCP Server for AI Agents
Lightning Enable provides an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI agents like Claude to make Lightning payments autonomously.
# Install via pip
pip install lightning-enable-mcp
# Or via npm/npx
npx lightning-enable-mcp
# Or via Docker
docker pull refinedelement/lightning-enable-mcp
Key Features:
- Pay Lightning invoices directly from AI conversations
- Access L402-protected APIs automatically
- Built-in spending limits and budget controls
- Support for LND, NWC, Strike (recommended), and OpenNode wallets
17 tools total: 15 consumer tools are free with no subscription required; 2 producer tools (create_l402_challenge, verify_l402_payment) require an Agentic Commerce subscription (from $99/mo):
| Tool | Description | Requires Subscription |
|---|---|---|
pay_invoice | Pay any Lightning invoice | No |
check_wallet_balance | Check your wallet balance | No |
get_budget_status | View spending limits | No |
access_l402_resource | Automatically pay L402 challenges | No |
pay_l402_challenge | Manual L402 payment handling | No |
create_invoice | Create a Lightning invoice | No |
check_invoice_status | Check invoice payment status | No |
get_payment_history | View past payments | No |
discover_api | Find and explore L402-protected APIs | No |
get_btc_price | Get current Bitcoin price | No |
get_all_balances | View all wallet balances | No |
exchange_currency | Exchange between currencies | No |
send_onchain | Send on-chain Bitcoin | No |
confirm_payment | Confirm a payment | No |
configure_budget | Set spending limits | No |
create_l402_challenge | Create a payment challenge to sell access | Yes ($99/mo+) |
verify_l402_payment | Verify an L402 token before granting access | Yes ($99/mo+) |
MCP Quick Start Guide | Wallet Setup | Complete Guide
Pricing
Lightning Enable uses product-based pricing (NOT transaction-based):
| Plan | Monthly | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Agentic Commerce — Individual | $99 | Individual developers building with L402 |
| Agentic Commerce — Business | $299 | API monetization with pay-per-request |
Both plans include a 30-day free trial and access to all platform integrations (Kentico Commerce, Shopify Commerce).
No per-transaction fees from us. Your payment provider may charge their own processing fees.*
Next Steps
Ready to get started?
- Prerequisites - What you need before starting
- Quick Start Guide - Get up and running in 10 minutes
- Provider Setup - Configure your payment provider
Getting Help
- Documentation: You're reading it!
- Email: support@lightningenable.com
- Strike Support: strike.me
- OpenNode Support: developers.opennode.com