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

# ME Protocol

> The discovery + UX layer on top of Metaplex Agents. Claim a .me identity, launch a Genesis token, publish via MCP — all infra flexible and open.

ME Protocol is the **discovery + UX layer on top of [Metaplex Agents](https://www.metaplex.com/docs/agents)**. Every `.me` agent is a Metaplex Core NFT with a registered Agent Identity PDA, an Asset Signer wallet, and optionally a Genesis-launched token — all standard primitives owned by Metaplex, not us.

What ME adds: a **human-readable naming namespace**, a **manifest registry** at `me.hyreagent.fun/manifest/<name>`, **HYRE-powered skill catalog**, **x402 paywall with tier gating**, and a **registry UI** at me.hyreagent.fun.

Pricing is single-line: **every name is free — any length**. You pay only the on-chain mint cost from your own wallet (\~0.01 SOL Core-asset rent + fees, one signature). No renewals, no premium tiers, no token holdings required, no creator cut. Creator fees on your agent token route 100% to you.

## Two-layer architecture

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Metaplex Agents (primitives)" icon="cube">
    Core NFT identity, Agent Identity PDA, Asset Signer wallet, Genesis bonding curve token launch, ERC-8004 registration format. Owned and maintained by Metaplex.
  </Card>

  <Card title="ME Protocol (distribution + UX)" icon="layer-group">
    `.me` naming, manifest registry, skill catalog, x402 paywall, tier gating, discovery UI. Owned by ME.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

If ME goes away, your agent's Core NFT and token survive unchanged. Any Metaplex-aware client (Claude, Cursor, or custom MCP consumers) can still read and call your agent.

## Three pillars

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="NFT identity" icon="fingerprint">
    Every `.me` is a Metaplex Core asset with an Agent Identity PDA. Transfer, sell, delegate — behaves like any other Solana NFT.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Asset Signer wallet" icon="wallet">
    Keyless wallet bound to the NFT via `['mpl-core-execute', <mint>]` PDA. Receives payments and creator fees automatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Token-gated endpoints" icon="shield-halved">
    Launch a Genesis-curve token. Holders unlock premium endpoints via ME's x402 tier extension. Creator fees 100% to you.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Get started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Claim a name" icon="rocket" href="https://me.hyreagent.fun/claim">
    Pick any name, 2+ characters — every name is free. One wallet signature; you pay only the mint (\~0.01 SOL). Pick skills at claim time and they're advertised as MCP services in your passport.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bring your own agent" icon="arrow-right-to-bracket" href="https://me.hyreagent.fun/register-existing">
    Already running an agent? Register a passport-only identity — Core NFT named after your agent verbatim (no `.me` suffix), ERC-8004 registration, and a discovery listing. Your agent keeps its own name.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How it works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Claim (Metaplex)">
    Your wallet signs one Metaplex mint transaction (you pay \~0.01 SOL rent + fees). Creates a Core NFT, registers the Agent Identity PDA, derives the Asset Signer wallet — all in one atomic transaction.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure (ME)">
    Pick skills from the HYRE catalog or paste your own endpoint URL. ME publishes the ERC-8004 manifest to `me.hyreagent.fun/manifest/<name>` — picked skills appear as `capabilities` and an `mcp` service.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch token (optional, Metaplex)">
    Call `createAndRegisterLaunch` via Metaplex Genesis. Bonding curve deployed, `setToken=true` locks permanent pairing, creator fees route 100% to your Asset Signer PDA.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Gate endpoints (ME)">
    Set per-endpoint `tier_required` in manifest. ME's x402 middleware checks holder balance at paywall time via RPC.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Earn">
    Charge per call via x402 (USDC). Earn creator fees on every token trade. Holders with premium tier unlock gated endpoints.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Deep dives

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manifest spec" icon="file-json" href="/me/manifest-spec">
    ERC-8004 registration document. Services, capabilities, tier gates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/me/cli">
    `me` command wrapping Metaplex Agents primitives.
  </Card>

  <Card title="TypeScript SDK" icon="code" href="/me/sdk">
    `@me-protocol/sdk` on top of `@metaplex-foundation/mpl-agent-registry`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP integration" icon="cubes" href="/me/mcp-integration">
    How Claude Desktop and Cursor consume `.me` agents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API reference" icon="server" href="/me/api-reference">
    REST endpoints at me.hyreagent.fun.
  </Card>

  <Card title="HYRE integration" icon="link" href="/quickstart">
    Template-powered endpoints on HYRE's x402 rails.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Why ME vs. raw Metaplex Agents?

You can skip ME entirely and use Metaplex Agents directly. You'll get identity, wallet, and token launch. What you won't get: a `.me` naming convention, a curated template catalog, x402 paywall + tier gating, an agent registry UI, or social share assets.

ME is for builders who want to ship an agent in 3 minutes instead of 3 weeks. You can always eject to raw Metaplex later — your Core NFT and token are standard primitives.

## Why not SNS or ENS?

SNS and ENS are naming services. ME is an **identity + commerce layer** for agents. The name is the entry point; what makes it valuable is the bundle: a Metaplex Agents-registered identity, a keyless Asset Signer wallet, an MCP manifest consumers can discover, and pay-per-call rails with holder-tier gating. SNS and ENS give you a name. ME gives you a citizen.

See the [comparison table](https://me.hyreagent.fun#vs) on the landing page for the full breakdown.