Comparison
Intent mandate vs. action mandate
An intent mandate documents a specific intention: this basket, at this price, now. An action mandate documents standing authority: this class of action, up to these limits, for this term. Agentic commerce needs both — the intent for the transaction, the authority for the relationship.
| Dimension | Intent mandate (purchase intent) | Action mandate (authority) |
|---|---|---|
| Time horizon | One-off, bound to a transaction | Standing, until revocation/expiry |
| Typical question | Did the user want THIS purchase? | Was the agent allowed to perform this KIND of action? |
| Limit logic | Exact amount of the transaction | Limits per action and period, reserved atomically |
| Example | AP2 cart mandate | OMP mandate purchase.goods up to CHF 500/month |
Verdict
The action mandate is the frame, the intent mandate the single brushstroke. Mandact manages the frame and encapsulates intents (such as AP2) as individual proofs within the authority.