> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hyperswitch.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hyperswitch.io/integrations/prism/node/merchant-authentication-service/create-session-token.md).

# Create Session Token

## Overview

The `createSessionToken` method creates a session token for payment processing. This token maintains state across multiple payment operations, enabling secure tracking for multi-step payment flows.

**Business Use Case:** When processing payments that require multiple steps (3DS authentication, redirect flows), you need to maintain session state between requests.

## Purpose

| Scenario            | Benefit                                 |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| 3DS authentication  | Maintain context through challenge flow |
| Redirect payments   | Preserve state during bank redirects    |
| Multi-step checkout | Track progress across pages             |

## Request Fields

| Field               | Type    | Required | Description                     |
| ------------------- | ------- | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| `merchantSessionId` | string  | Yes      | Your unique session reference   |
| `amount`            | Money   | Yes      | Payment amount for this session |
| `metadata`          | object  | No       | Additional metadata             |
| `testMode`          | boolean | No       | Use test environment            |

## Response Fields

| Field          | Type   | Description                     |
| -------------- | ------ | ------------------------------- |
| `sessionToken` | string | Token for subsequent operations |
| `statusCode`   | number | HTTP status code                |

## Example

### SDK Setup

```javascript
const { MerchantAuthenticationClient } = require('hyperswitch-prism');

const authClient = new MerchantAuthenticationClient({
    connector: 'stripe',
    apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
    environment: 'SANDBOX'
});
```

### Request

```javascript
const request = {
    merchantSessionId: "session_001",
    amount: {
        minorAmount: 10000,
        currency: "USD"
    },
    testMode: true
};

const response = await authClient.createSessionToken(request);
```

### Response

```javascript
{
    sessionToken: "sess_1234567890abcdef",
    statusCode: 200
}
```

## Next Steps

* [createSdkSessionToken](/integrations/prism/node/merchant-authentication-service/create-sdk-session-token.md) - Initialize wallet sessions
* [Payment Service](/integrations/prism/node/payment-service.md) - Process payments using session


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