> 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/payment-method-authentication-service/pre-authenticate.md).

# Pre-authenticate

## Overview

The `preAuthenticate` method initiates the 3D Secure authentication flow. It collects device data and prepares the authentication context, determining whether frictionless or challenge-based verification is needed.

**Business Use Case:** Before processing a high-value transaction, initiate 3DS to reduce fraud liability and comply with Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements.

## Purpose

| Scenario         | Benefit                                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Fraud prevention | Shift liability to card issuer              |
| SCA compliance   | Meet European regulatory requirements       |
| Risk-based auth  | Frictionless flow for low-risk transactions |

## Request Fields

| Field             | Type          | Required | Description                 |
| ----------------- | ------------- | -------- | --------------------------- |
| `merchantOrderId` | string        | Yes      | Your unique order reference |
| `amount`          | Money         | Yes      | Transaction amount          |
| `paymentMethod`   | PaymentMethod | Yes      | Card details                |
| `customer`        | Customer      | No       | Customer information        |
| `returnUrl`       | string        | Yes      | URL to redirect after 3DS   |

## Response Fields

| Field                    | Type   | Description                            |
| ------------------------ | ------ | -------------------------------------- |
| `connectorTransactionId` | string | Connector's 3DS transaction ID         |
| `status`                 | string | AUTHENTICATION\_REQUIRED, FRICTIONLESS |
| `authenticationData`     | object | Device data for next step              |
| `redirectionData`        | object | Challenge URL if required              |
| `statusCode`             | number | HTTP status code                       |

## Example

### SDK Setup

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

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

### Request

```javascript
const request = {
    merchantOrderId: "order_001",
    amount: {
        minorAmount: 10000,
        currency: "USD"
    },
    paymentMethod: {
        card: {
            cardNumber: { value: "4242424242424242" },
            cardExpMonth: { value: "12" },
            cardExpYear: { value: "2027" }
        }
    },
    returnUrl: "https://your-app.com/3ds/return"
};

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

### Response - Frictionless

```javascript
{
    connectorTransactionId: "pi_3Oxxx...",
    status: "FRICTIONLESS",
    authenticationData: {
        eci: "05",
        cavv: "AAABBIIFmA=="
    },
    statusCode: 200
}
```

### Response - Challenge Required

```javascript
{
    connectorTransactionId: "pi_3Oxxx...",
    status: "AUTHENTICATION_REQUIRED",
    redirectionData: {
        url: "https://acs.bank.com/3ds/challenge",
        method: "POST"
    },
    statusCode: 200
}
```

## 3DS Flow

```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
    participant App as Your App
    participant CS as Prism
    participant Bank as Issuer Bank

    App->>CS: preAuthenticate
    CS->>Bank: Check 3DS eligibility
    Bank-->>CS: Return: frictionless or challenge
    CS-->>App: Return authentication data
    alt Challenge Required
        App->>Bank: Redirect customer to challenge
        Bank-->>App: Customer completes challenge
    end
    App->>CS: authenticate
    CS-->>App: Final authentication result
```

## Next Steps

* [authenticate](/integrations/prism/node/payment-method-authentication-service/authenticate.md) - Complete the 3DS flow
* [authorize](/integrations/prism/node/payment-service/authorize.md) - Process payment with 3DS data


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