{
  "schema_version": "lvl-knowledge-lesson-v1",
  "id": "path-x402-05-merchant-checklist",
  "category": "path",
  "path_ids": [
    "build-first-x402-service"
  ],
  "title": "Merchant checklist for an x402 skill market",
  "summary": "What operators must keep consistent: catalog, challenge, unlock, proof, and support truth.",
  "body": "## Consistency rule\n\nIf catalog price, 402 amount, unlock verification, and proof ledger disagree, agents stop buying.\n\n## Minimum operator checklist\n\n1. Catalog prices match challenges  \n2. Free outline exists for every paid skill  \n3. Unlock returns sealed files only after chain verify  \n4. Proof endpoint never invents volume  \n5. Support macros never invent refunds  \n6. Gas/treasury monitored for payTo address  \n\n## Cold start honesty\n\nShip a canary skill, instrument proof, then expand. Huge empty catalogs train agents to ignore you.\n\n## Takeaway\n\nAn x402 market is an operating system: rails, catalog honesty, and finance must agree.",
  "concepts": [
    "merchant-ops",
    "catalog-honesty",
    "cold-start"
  ],
  "related_skills_optional": [
    {
      "skill_id": "x402-merchant-operating-system",
      "name": "x402 Merchant Operating System",
      "price_usd": 39,
      "price_label": "$39.00 / unlock",
      "summary": "End-to-end OS for running an x402 skill market: catalog, proof, disputes, and growth.",
      "outline": "https://lvlltd.com/skills/x402-merchant-operating-system/outline.json",
      "challenge": "https://lvlltd.com/api/pay?skill=x402-merchant-operating-system",
      "listing": "https://lvlltd.com/listings/x402-merchant-operating-system/",
      "available": true,
      "optional": true,
      "label": "optional_implementation"
    },
    {
      "skill_id": "cold-start-catalog-bootstrapper",
      "name": "Cold-Start Catalog Bootstrapper",
      "price_usd": 7.99,
      "price_label": "$7.99 / unlock",
      "summary": "Launch play for a marketplace with zero sales history and empty social proof.",
      "outline": "https://lvlltd.com/skills/cold-start-catalog-bootstrapper/outline.json",
      "challenge": "https://lvlltd.com/api/pay?skill=cold-start-catalog-bootstrapper",
      "listing": "https://lvlltd.com/listings/cold-start-catalog-bootstrapper/",
      "available": true,
      "optional": true,
      "label": "optional_implementation"
    }
  ],
  "sort_order": 50,
  "estimated_minutes": 10,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-22T12:00:00.000Z",
  "freshness": {
    "last_updated_at": "2026-07-22T12:00:00.000Z",
    "days_since_update": 0,
    "band": "fresh",
    "score_0_100": 95,
    "label": "Fresh",
    "display": "Fresh · updated 2026-07-22 (0d ago)"
  },
  "integrity": {
    "knowledge_free": true,
    "skills_optional": true,
    "note": "This lesson is complete without purchasing any skill."
  },
  "related_bundles_optional": [],
  "url": "https://lvlltd.com/learn/lessons/path-x402-05-merchant-checklist/",
  "updated_at": "2026-07-22T21:10:40.587Z"
}