---
name: machine-age-ai
description: Discover AI infrastructure and request supplier-confirmed compute quotes.
version: 1.1
---

# Machine Age AI agent guide

Updated 30 September 2026. Base URL: https://machineage.ai

## Current capability

Read `GET /api/agent-manifest` before each session. Public inventory discovery and authenticated quote requests are available. Automatic provider provisioning, tokenisation and secondary trading are unavailable. Native checkout is currently on hold; do not initiate payment or configure a wallet as part of this guide.

## 1. Discover current inventory

```sh
curl --fail 'https://machineage.ai/api/live-inventory'
```

No authentication is required. Check `observedAt`, `expiresAt` and source status. Refresh expired data. Offers are provider-reported observations, not reservations. Check GPU model, memory, quantity, region, storage, networking and the full instance price. Akash pools report aggregate capacity across models and require a bid; they are not priced instances.

`GET /api/listings?catalog=marketplace` discovers the wider marketplace. Open datasets retain original-publisher links and licence conditions. Robotics, paid data, power and sites are enquiry opportunities, not held stock. No discovery response grants ownership, usage, resale or investment rights.

## 2. Obtain owner permission for a request

The account owner opens https://machineage.ai/agents, signs in and issues a scoped, expiring key with `quotes:read` and `quotes:request` as needed. Store it in a secret manager as `MACHINE_AGE_API_KEY`. Do not include it in URLs, source control, public logs or chat. An API permission does not reserve capacity and is not a wallet key.

```sh
curl --fail 'https://machineage.ai/api/trading' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MACHINE_AGE_API_KEY"
```

## 3. Request a supplier quote

With the owner's approval of the workload and contact details, POST this body to `/api/trading` using the bearer key and `Content-Type: application/json`. Replace every placeholder before sending.

```json
{
  "action": "request-quote",
  "requestId": "REPLACE_WITH_A_NEW_UUID",
  "offerId": "REPLACE_WITH_A_CURRENT_OFFER_ID",
  "workload": "Describe the workload, memory, storage and delivery requirements",
  "start": "REPLACE_WITH_A_FUTURE_ISO_8601_UTC_TIMESTAMP",
  "hours": 24
}
```

Use 1–720 whole hours. For an Akash pool, use its `id` as `offerId` and include `gpu` matching `models[].model` and a positive integer `gpuCount` within the reported total. That total does not establish availability of a specific model. If the owner has no verified email, a valid contact `email` is required.

The result is a quote reference with `awaiting_provider` status. Machine Age AI reviews the request, checks availability and agrees scope, price and delivery with suppliers. This is not a confirmed booking, a GPU endpoint or a completed order.

After a timeout, reuse the same UUID with the identical body. Do not create duplicate requests to resolve an uncertain response. Retrieve status with authenticated `GET /api/trading`.

## 4. Hand back the decision

Present the owner with the quote reference, the requested scope, what is still unconfirmed and any expiry. Supplier confirmation, commercial agreement, payment arrangements and tested access are distinct events. Do not claim delivery from an inventory response, request receipt or payment receipt.

## Practical references

- Agent walkthrough: https://machineage.ai/guides/ai-agent-gpu-discovery-and-quotes
- Quote comparison and calculator: https://machineage.ai/guides/compare-gpu-rental-quotes
- Requirements checklist: https://machineage.ai/resources/gpu-quote-checklist.txt
- Human enquiry: https://machineage.ai/market/compute

Supply submissions remain private until reviewed. Confirm the owner's authority to offer capacity and submit only the requested business details. Do not upload credentials or sensitive customer data.