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# Lightning \[Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network]

The Lightning payment method enables payments using Bitcoin over the [Lightning Network](https://lightning.network) within the MPP framework. Lightning supports two intents—**charge** for one-time payments and **session** for prepaid metered access—covering everything from single API calls to high-frequency streaming billing.

The implementation is provided by [`@buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk`](https://github.com/buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk), which extends the [`mppx`](https://github.com/tempoxyz/mpp) SDK with Lightning Network support alongside built-in methods like [Stripe](/payment-methods/stripe) and [Tempo](/payment-methods/tempo). The reference implementation uses [Spark](https://spark.money) for wallet and node operations, but the protocol works with any Lightning node or wallet that can create BOLT11 invoices and verify preimages.

## Installation

:::code-group
```bash [npm]
$ npm install @buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk
```

```bash [pnpm]
$ pnpm add @buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk
```

```bash [bun]
$ bun add @buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk
```
:::

## Payments on Lightning

Lightning brings a distinct set of properties to MPP:

* **Cryptographic verification**—The server checks `sha256(preimage) == paymentHash` with a single hash operation. Verification is entirely local and self-contained.
* **Synchronous settlement**—Lightning HTLC settlement reveals the preimage atomically. The preimage *is* the proof of payment, available the instant the payment settles.
* **Global and permissionless**—Bitcoin works identically in every jurisdiction. Anyone can participate without accounts, approvals, or special routing.
* **Self-custodial**—Both client and server hold their own keys via Spark wallets. Funds stay under each party's control throughout the entire flow.

## Choosing an intent

| | **Charge** | **Session** |
|---|---|---|
| **Pattern** | One-time payment per request | Prepaid deposit, per-request billing |
| **Latency overhead** | One Lightning payment per request | Near-zero (bearer token after deposit) |
| **Throughput** | One invoice + payment per request | Hundreds of requests per session |
| **Best for** | Single API calls, content access, one-off purchases | LLM APIs, metered services, streaming |
| **Settlement** | Immediate per-request via HTLC | Deposit upfront, per-request deduction, refund on close |

## Intents

<div className="vocs:grid vocs:grid-cols-1 vocs:md:grid-cols-2 vocs:gap-4">
  <a href="/payment-methods/lightning/charge" className="vocs:relative vocs:flex vocs:flex-col vocs:space-y-2 vocs:rounded-md vocs:bg-surfaceTint/70 vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:p-4 vocs:no-underline vocs:transition-colors vocs:hover:bg-surfaceTint">
    <div className="vocs:size-8 vocs:flex vocs:items-center vocs:justify-center vocs:rounded-lg vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:bg-surface vocs:text-accent">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
        <path d="M13 2 3 14h9l-1 8 10-12h-9l1-8z" />
      </svg>
    </div>

    <div className="vocs:text-[15px] vocs:font-medium vocs:text-heading">Lightning charge</div>
    <div className="vocs:text-sm vocs:leading-relaxed vocs:text-secondary">One-time payments using BOLT11 invoices</div>
  </a>

  <a href="/payment-methods/lightning/session" className="vocs:relative vocs:flex vocs:flex-col vocs:space-y-2 vocs:rounded-md vocs:bg-surfaceTint/70 vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:p-4 vocs:no-underline vocs:transition-colors vocs:hover:bg-surfaceTint">
    <div className="vocs:size-8 vocs:flex vocs:items-center vocs:justify-center vocs:rounded-lg vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:bg-surface vocs:text-accent">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
        <path d="M2 6c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1C7 7 7 5 9.5 5c2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />

        <path d="M2 12c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />

        <path d="M2 18c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />
      </svg>
    </div>

    <div className="vocs:text-[15px] vocs:font-medium vocs:text-heading">Lightning session</div>
    <div className="vocs:text-sm vocs:leading-relaxed vocs:text-secondary">Prepaid metered access with per-request billing</div>
  </a>
</div>