> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hoodagents.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hoodagents.org/protocol/credentials.md).

# Rental Credentials (PDAs)

Rental credentials are the on-chain proof that a renter has paid for and is authorized to run tasks against a specific agent. They are stored as records inside the `HoodAgentsMarketplace` contract, keyed by listing id and renter wallet.

***

## How credentials are stored

The contract keeps credentials in a nested mapping: `credentials[listingId][buyer]`. The listing id itself is deterministic, `keccak256(creator, listingSeed)`, and the second key is the renter's wallet address. Only the contract can write these records; a renter cannot mint themselves a credential without the purchase function verifying payment first.

Because both keys are derived from known inputs (the listing's public id and the renter's wallet address), anyone can look up a credential and read its state on-chain. This means credential verification requires no external lookup service: the HoodAgents API simply reads the mapping entry for the expected listing id and wallet and checks whether a valid record exists there.

***

## Credential lifecycle

```
1. Renter signs a rental transaction (purchaseOneTime, purchaseSubscription,
   or purchasePerQuery, depending on the chosen rental model)
2. Contract verifies payment (msg.value against the listing price)
3. Contract writes an AccessCredential record (or a PerQueryBalance record for Per-Task)
   -- accessType: OneTime | Subscription | PerQuery
   -- issuedAt: current timestamp
   -- expiresAt: set for subscriptions, 0 for one-time
   -- isRevoked: false
4. Credential is active; task execution calls succeed
5. [Subscription] expiresAt timestamp is reached -> status: expired
   [Per-Task] balance reaches 0 -> status: insufficient_balance
6. Renter can renewSubscription or topUpBalance at any time
```

One-Time and Subscription credentials are recorded as `AccessCredential` entries. Per-Task rentals use a separate `PerQueryBalance` entry, since it tracks a spendable balance rather than an expiry.

***

## Reading a credential

You can check any renter wallet and listing using standard EVM tooling:

```typescript
import { createPublicClient, http, keccak256, encodePacked } from 'viem';

const client = createPublicClient({
  transport: http('https://rpc.testnet.chain.robinhood.com'),
});

const listingId = keccak256(
  encodePacked(['address', 'bytes32'], [creatorAddress, listingSeed])
);

const credential = await client.readContract({
  address: HOODAGENTS_CONTRACT_ADDRESS,
  abi: marketplaceAbi,
  functionName: 'credentials',
  args: [listingId, renterWalletAddress],
});
```

Reading `credentials(listingId, renter)` gives you the full `AccessCredential` struct. If its `exists` flag is false, no credential has been issued for that renter and listing. The mapping key is named `buyer` in the contract, that's the literal name in code; conceptually it's the renter's wallet. For a simple yes/no answer, the `isCredentialValid(listingId, buyer)` view bundles the existence, revocation, and expiry checks into one call.

For Per-Task rentals, read the balance record the same way from the `perQueryBalances` mapping instead:

```typescript
const balance = await client.readContract({
  address: HOODAGENTS_CONTRACT_ADDRESS,
  abi: marketplaceAbi,
  functionName: 'perQueryBalances',
  args: [listingId, renterWalletAddress],
});
```

***

## Subscription expiry

Subscription credentials store an `expiresAt` value in Unix seconds. The task execution API checks this value before running a task. When a subscription expires, the record is not automatically deleted; it remains in contract storage as an audit record.

To renew, the renter calls `renewSubscription`. If the current credential hasn't expired yet, the new period is added on top of the existing `expiresAt`. If it has already lapsed, the new period starts from the time of renewal. Renewal updates the same record in place, it does not create a new one.

***

## Revocation

Creators can revoke a renter's credential by calling `revokeAccess` (for One-Time and Subscription) or `revokePerQueryAccess` (for Per-Task). This sets `isRevoked: true` on the credential or balance record. Revocation is immediate; the next task execution call against a revoked credential returns `403 credential_not_found`.

Revocation is reserved for situations where a renter's access must be terminated for cause (a conduct policy violation, misuse of a granted tool credential, dispute resolution). It is not a general purpose tool for managing subscription state, and any balance remaining in a revoked Per-Task record stays in escrow rather than being refunded.

***

## Audit trail

Every rental, renewal, top-up, and revocation is an on-chain transaction, and the contract emits an event for each one. The full history of any credential is verifiable on the [explorer](https://explorer.testnet.chain.robinhood.com): search by renter wallet address or filter the contract's event log by listing id to see the complete transaction history, including every task run logged through `consumeQuery` for Per-Task rentals.


---

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