An ensurance agent is an autonomous account that can hold assets and act on behalf of what matters. Creating one involves minting an NFT under a group namespace, then configuring its mode and mandate.
tl;dr
To create an agent:
- Go to /agents/create
- Choose a group (
.ensurance,.basin, etc.) - Enter your agent name (becomes
agentname.group) - Mint the agent (creates NFT + wallet)
- Activate and configure mode (manual, automated, autonomous)
Your agent now has its own Ethereum wallet and can hold assets, receive proceeds, and execute strategies.
before you begin
You need:
- A user account (wallet or email login)
- Some ETH on Base for gas fees
- A clear purpose for your agent
You will get:
- An ERC-721 NFT (your agent identity)
- An ERC-6551 tokenbound account (your agent's wallet)
- A unique name within your chosen group
step 1: choose your group
Go to /agents/create and select a group. Your agent will be named within this namespace.
| Group | Best For |
|---|---|
.ensurance | Ecosystem services: climate, water, pollination |
.basin | Place-based: watersheds, bioregions |
.syndicate | Strategy: coordinated investment approaches |
.natural-asset | Property-level: specific natural assets |
.bioregion | Regional: landscape-scale stewardship |
The group defines your agent's context. Choose based on what your agent will represent or do.
step 2: name your agent
Enter a name that reflects your agent's purpose.
Format: agentname.groupname
Examples:
climate-stability.ensuranceupper-colorado.basinwater-security.syndicateelk-meadow.natural-asset
Tips:
- Keep it descriptive but concise
- Use lowercase with hyphens
- Check availability before minting
- The name is permanent
step 3: mint the agent
Click mint and confirm the transaction in your wallet.
What happens:
- An ERC-721 NFT is created (your agent identity)
- An ERC-6551 tokenbound account is computed (your agent's wallet)
- Your agent appears in your account
Cost: Gas fees only (typically < $1 on Base)
step 4: activate the agent
After minting, your new NFT appears as a potential agent. You need to activate it.
- Go to /agents/mine
- Find your agent in the "potential" section
- Click "Activate"
This moves your agent to staging for configuration.
step 5: configure mode
In staging, choose how your agent will operate:
manual mode
What it means: You control everything. Every action requires your explicit approval.
Best for:
- Direct control of assets
- Learning how agents work
- Sensitive operations
Where agent lives: Owner wallet (your external wallet) 🟢
automated mode
What it means: You plus scheduled programs. Trading scripts, rebalancing, yield harvesting run automatically.
Best for:
- Trading strategies
- Regular operations
- Portfolio management
Where agent lives: Operator account (server wallet) 🔵
autonomous mode (coming soon)
What it means: You plus AI. Large language models make decisions based on real-time conditions.
Best for:
- Complex adaptive strategies
- Dynamic response to conditions
- AI-guided stewardship
Where agent lives: Operator account (server wallet) 🔵
step 6: set mandate (for manual mode)
If you choose manual mode, define your agent's mandate:
| Field | What It Is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | What this agent exists to do | "Fund climate stability ecosystem services" |
| Mandate | Specific constraints or goals | "Hold $ENSURE and climate-related certificates" |
| Place | Geographic context (optional) | "Colorado River watershed" |
This metadata helps you and others understand what the agent represents.
step 7: start operating
Your agent is now active. What you can do:
| Action | Where |
|---|---|
| View holdings | /agent/[chain]/[contract]/[tokenId] |
| Send transactions | Operate tab |
| Change mode | Manage tab |
| Fund the agent | Send tokens to its TBA address |
understanding agent stages
| Stage | What It Means | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Potential | NFT in wallet, not activated | Waiting for activation |
| Staging | Activated, configuring mode | Setup in progress |
| Active | Fully configured, operational | Ready to use |
| Blocked | Collection not approved | Cannot activate |
All stages visible at /agents/mine.
understanding agent modes
| Mode | Who Can Trigger Actions |
|---|---|
| Manual | Only you via UI |
| Automated | You via UI + scheduled programs |
| Autonomous | You via UI + AI |
Important: You can always control your agent via UI, regardless of mode. Mode adds automation—it never removes your control.
understanding wallets
As a user, you have two wallets:
| Wallet | What It Is | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Owner wallet | Your external wallet (MetaMask, etc.) | 🟢 Green |
| Operator account | Server wallet created for you | 🔵 Blue |
Where agents live depends on mode:
- Manual → Owner wallet 🟢
- Automated/Autonomous → Operator account 🔵
Switching modes may transfer the agent NFT. The app handles this automatically.
Email-only users: Your agents always live in your operator account.
frequently asked questions
can I have multiple agents?
Yes. You can have as many agents as you want under different groups.
can I change my agent's mode later?
Yes. Go to the manage tab and select a new mode. If switching between manual and automated, the app may transfer your agent NFT between wallets.
can I change my agent's name?
No. Agent names are permanent onchain identifiers.
what happens if I transfer my agent NFT?
Whoever owns the NFT controls the tokenbound account. If you transfer the NFT, you transfer control of the agent and all its assets.
can multiple users control one agent?
The NFT owner controls the agent. For shared control, the owner wallet could be a multisig.
what can my agent hold?
Anything: ETH, ERC-20 tokens, ERC-721 NFTs, ERC-1155 certificates. The tokenbound account is a full Ethereum wallet.
how do I fund my agent?
Send tokens to your agent's TBA address. Find it on the agent detail page.
next steps after creation
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fund your agent | Agents need tokens to transact |
| Configure scripts (automated) | Set up trading or rebalancing |
| Define mandate (manual) | Clarify purpose and constraints |
| Connect to natural assets | Link to what you are ensuring |