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

# Payment Agent

> Organize payment information and support payment runs, approvals, receivables, and payout calculations with clear human control.

The **Payment Agent** helps finance teams prepare and organize the information behind payment decisions. It is designed to reduce manual preparation across payment runs, receivables, approvals, and complex payout scenarios.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Prepared payment data" icon="money-check-dollar">
    Turn source documents and spreadsheets into consistent payment records.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clear approvals" icon="user-check">
    Give reviewers structured information before any payment is released.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Complex calculations" icon="calculator">
    Support interest, waterfall, and liquidation-preference scenarios with organized inputs.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Where the Payment Agent helps

Typical workflows include:

* preparing one-off or batch payment data
* organizing open receivables and follow-up information
* supporting team-based review and approval
* structuring interest or distribution calculations
* documenting payout priorities and underlying records
* handing approved information to the next controlled finance step

<Warning>
  The Payment Agent supports preparation and review. It does not replace bank authorization, segregation-of-duties controls, or your organization's final payment approval process.
</Warning>

## How the workflow works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose the destination">
    Select the Data Collection that should hold approved payment records.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide source information">
    Upload files manually or add an optional intake source such as email or a connected folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Structure the data">
    The agent extracts and organizes the information needed for the payment or calculation workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the result">
    Confirm parties, amounts, dates, currencies, instructions, priorities, and supporting evidence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve for the next step">
    Save approved records in Layest and continue through your organization's payment controls.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Your Setup page

The Payment Agent currently uses Layest's guided import setup:

* **Manual uploads** are included.
* **Data Collection output** is required.
* **Email intake** is optional.
* **Schedules and file-event rules** are optional.
* **Connected folders** are optional for recurring data intake.
* **External destinations** are optional for approved outputs.

## A useful first run

Use a small, fully understood example. Confirm:

* each beneficiary or counterparty is correct
* payment amounts and currencies match the source
* due dates and references are present
* the calculation method is documented
* approval responsibilities are clear
* sensitive bank information is visible only to the right roles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Review runs" icon="list-check" href="/agents/run-workflows">
    Follow progress and check the result before approval.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage structured data" icon="table" href="/data/collections">
    Store approved payment records in a consistent collection.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>