2/ The Role of x402 x402 places the payment process within the standard HTTP protocol. The server returns payment details, the client submits the signed payment information, and the request continues. This supports pay-on-request, rather than using accounts, credits, or prepaid balances. 3/ The Role of Lighthouse Lighthouse manages uploads, payment checks, and CID returns. Files are routed via IPFS and settled for storage on Filecoin. Developers interact via regular HTTP calls, eliminating the need for custom billing systems. 4/ Why This Matters Each upload is priced and settled independently. Applications and agents only pay for the content they store. This is suitable for automated workflows that require direct pay-on-request payment, with Filecoin as the storage layer.