Wallet providers#
With Effortless MCP, payment replaces API keys — a crypto wallet is all users need to access any Kobaru-powered API. No OAuth tokens, no subscriptions, no credential management. Users hold their own funds in a self-custody wallet, and payments are only made when a tool is called.Kobaru MCP supports two wallet providers for handling x402 micropayments: the built-in Kobaru Wallet and Coinbase AWAL (Agentic Wallet). Both integrate transparently with AI agents through the same MCP interface.Table of contents#
Feature comparison#
| Feature | Kobaru Wallet | Coinbase AWAL |
|---|
| Setup | Local key generation | Coinbase account + email OTP |
| Key management | Local encrypted file or OS keychain | Coinbase-managed (never exposed) |
| Budget control | CLI commands (kobaru-mcp wallet budget set, kobaru-mcp wallet budget status) | Coinbase infrastructure (session caps, transaction limits) |
| Supported networks | SKALE Base Sepolia, SKALE Base, Base Mainnet, Base Sepolia | Base Mainnet, Base Sepolia |
| Payment protocol | x402 | x402 (native AWAL handling) |
| Privacy | Keys stored locally, self-custodial | Keys managed by Coinbase |
| Cost | Free | Coinbase terms apply |
When to use which#
Use Kobaru Wallet if you:Want a quick and simple setup — works out of the box
Prefer self-custody with keys under your control
Want access to multiple chains beyond Base (SKALE networks included)
Want to choose your key storage mode (OS keychain, machine-bound, password, or environment variable)
Want Coinbase's security infrastructure managing your keys
Prefer not to handle key storage or encryption
Only need Base (Mainnet or Sepolia)
Want managed budgets through Coinbase's platform
Setup: Kobaru Wallet#
Run the setup wizard and select Kobaru Wallet:1.
Select Kobaru Wallet when prompted for a wallet provider.
2.
Choose Create new wallet (recommended) or Import existing private key.
3.
Set a spending budget when prompted.
kobaru-mcp wallet info
kobaru-mcp status
Key storage options#
The setup wizard lets you choose how your private key is stored:| Mode | Description |
|---|
| OS keychain (recommended) | Stores the key in your system's native keychain — KWallet on KDE, GNOME Keyring on GNOME, Keychain on macOS, or Credential Manager on Windows. Best balance of security and convenience. |
| Machine-bound | AES-256-GCM encrypted file at ~/.kobaru/wallet.json, tied to your machine. Default if keychain is unavailable. |
| Password | Same encrypted file, protected by a password you choose. Portable across machines. |
| Environment variable | Key provided via KOBARU_WALLET_KEY env var. Useful for CI/CD or server environments. |
You can migrate between storage backends at any time:kobaru-mcp wallet migrate to-keychain
kobaru-mcp wallet migrate to-file [--mode <mode>]
Budget management#
kobaru-mcp wallet budget set 5.00 # set daily limit to 5 USDC
kobaru-mcp wallet budget status # check spending and remaining budget
Setup: Coinbase AWAL#
Run the setup wizard and select Coinbase AWAL:1.
Select Coinbase AWAL when prompted for a wallet provider.
2.
Authenticate with Coinbase when prompted:
npx awal auth login <your-email>
3.
Complete the email OTP verification.
Security and custody#
Regardless of which wallet provider or encryption mode you choose, neither the merchant nor Kobaru ever has access to your funds. Your wallet is fully self-custodial — only you hold the keys, and only you can authorize payments.This also means that if you lose access to your wallet (lost private key, forgotten password, broken machine), no one can recover your funds for you. There is no "reset password" or support ticket that can restore access.Use a dedicated wallet for MCP payments. Do not use a wallet that holds your life savings or other significant assets. Create a fresh wallet through the setup wizard and fund it with small amounts.
Keep balances small. Only deposit what you need for near-term usage. You can always top up later.
Back up your private key if you use file-based encryption. The setup wizard shows your key once — store it somewhere safe.
Never share your private key with anyone. Kobaru, merchants, and AI agents never need it.
FAQ#
Can I switch wallet providers?#
Yes. Re-run the setup wizard with the --force flag:This overwrites your wallet configuration. Your previous wallet and any funds in it are not affected — they remain at the original address.What happens to existing funds when I switch?#
Funds stay in the original wallet address on-chain. Switching providers does not move or affect your funds. If you switch back to the original provider and import the same key, you regain access.Do AI agents need different configuration per wallet provider?#
No. The wallet provider is transparent to AI agents. The MCP server handles payment dispatch internally — agents make the same tool calls regardless of which wallet provider you use.Which wallet does the setup wizard recommend?#
Kobaru Wallet with OS keychain storage. It works out of the box, keeps your keys under your control in your system's native keychain, and supports additional networks such as SKALE. For most users, this is the simplest and most secure option.Does Coinbase AWAL require installing additional software?#
AWAL commands run through npx awal, which is fetched automatically. You need a Coinbase account and must complete their authentication flow.Modified at 2026-02-25 19:25:00
