# Direct Debit API

The Monato Direct Debit API is a REST API that gives you full programmatic control over charges, customers, instruments, and webhook configuration. All requests are authenticated with an API key and return JSON responses.

## Base URL

| Environment | Base URL |
|  --- | --- |
| Sandbox | `https://sandbox.directdebit.monato.com` |
| Production | `https://directdebit.monato.com` |


## Authentication

All requests require an `x-api-key` header. See [Authentication](/products/directdebit/content/getting-started/authentication).

## Resources

The API exposes four primary resources:

| Resource | Description |
|  --- | --- |
| **Charges** | Create and retrieve direct debit charge requests |
| **Customers** | Store and manage customer identity objects |
| **Instruments** | Tokenise and manage CLABE or debit card payment instruments |
| **Webhooks** | Receive real-time event notifications for charge outcomes |


## API Reference

The full interactive API specification — including all endpoints, request/response schemas, and field-level descriptions — is available at the [API Reference](https://directdebit.monato.com/redoc).

## Guides

- [Creating Charges](/products/directdebit/content/guides/api/charges) — Submit charges inline or using stored customer and instrument objects
- [Managing Customers](/products/directdebit/content/guides/api/customers) — Create and retrieve customer objects
- [Managing Instruments](/products/directdebit/content/guides/api/instruments) — Tokenise payment instruments and understand penny validation
- [Webhooks](/products/directdebit/content/guides/api/webhooks) — Configure endpoints and handle event delivery