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

# Operating a settler agent

> The reference agent for fulfilling settlements on Atum.

## Overview

<Info>
  Operating a settler agent is optional. Settlers are one side of the Atum network — organizations that supply liquidity and potentially charge fees by fulfilling payments. To *send* payments instead, no agent is required; see [What is Atum?](/get-started/overview/what-is-atum)
</Info>

To speed up integration, Atum provides a model reference implementation that operators deploy and run as their own settlement agent.

**A settlement operator independently deploys, configures, and operates its agent** — including its infrastructure, credentials, transaction logic, pricing, and compliance. Atum provides the protocol interfaces and tooling that the agent connects to; the agent runs as the operator's own service.

Atum does not operate the agent, hold operator funds, or make transaction or pricing decisions on the operator's behalf. The operator is responsible for the infrastructure, credentials, liquidity, and configuration that determine how the agent behaves.

Identity presentation (proving Atum knows you as a settlement provider) is available on the quote path and is not required by default. See [Present identity with a quote](/settle-payments/presenting-identity).

## How a settlement agent works

A settlement agent connects to the Atum gateway, competes for payment requests that meet the settlement operator's criteria, and — once its quote is selected — automatically runs the on-chain steps to fulfill the payment and claim the settled funds.

The operator supplies the liquidity and configuration; the agent handles quoting, transaction management, and multi-chain execution.

## Responsibilities

The operator runs the agent independently; Atum provides the reference software and the protocol it connects to.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Settlement operator" icon="server">
    * Deploy, configure, and operate the agent
    * Infrastructure, credentials, keys, and vaults
    * Liquidity and funding across chains
    * Transaction logic, pricing, and quoting
    * Risk parameters and participation criteria
    * Reconciliation of its own settlements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Atum" icon="network-wired">
    * Reference agent software and protocol interfaces
    * Gateway, authentication, and sessions
    * Quote selection
    * Payment request validation
    * Protocol and on-chain settlement contracts
    * Lifecycle tracking and status APIs
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configurable safeguards" icon="check-double">
    • Protocol safeguards to prevent duplicate processing

    • Support for configurable retry logic

    • Support for auditable settlement activity and system support recovery
  </Card>

  <Card title="Smart transaction handling" icon="gears">
    • Concurrent settlement processing and conflict reduction

    • Transaction ordering based on blockchain conditions

    • Automated handling of supported transaction delay types

    • Recovery mechanisms for supported transaction error types
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-chain execution" icon="network-wired">
    • Settlement flows across every supported chain from a single agent

    • Adapt to specific blockchain requirements

    • Minimize network transaction fees on each chain

    • Configure confirmation settings on a per chain basis
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configurable rules" icon="shield-halved">
    • Set rules to enable settlement only for desired payment requests

    • Apply buffers for price volatility

    • Automatically skip settlements that don't meet a settlement operator's criteria
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next steps

| Topic                                | Guide                                                     |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Deploy and run the agent             | [Integration guide](/settle-payments/integration-guide)   |
| Configure deployment and RPC         | [Configuration](/settle-payments/configuration/overview)  |
| Pricing and quotes                   | [Bidding strategies](/settle-payments/bidding-strategies) |
| Test before mainnet                  | [Testnet](/settle-payments/testnet)                       |
| Diagnose a code in your agent's logs | [Agent error reference](/settle-payments/error-reference) |
| Planning a large integration?        | [Ask in Discord](https://discord.gg/a5mbNjnDNj)           |