> 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-service/tokenize.md).

# Tokenize

## Overview

The `tokenize` method stores a payment method securely at the payment processor. It replaces sensitive card data with a secure token, enabling one-click payments without PCI compliance exposure.

**Business Use Case:** A customer wants to save their card for faster checkout next time. Tokenize the card details to create a secure token for future use.

## Purpose

| Scenario           | Benefit                            |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| One-click checkout | No re-entry of card details        |
| Recurring billing  | Stored methods for subscriptions   |
| PCI compliance     | No raw card storage in your system |
| Security           | Tokens are useless if compromised  |

## Request Fields

| Field           | Type          | Required | Description                        |
| --------------- | ------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `paymentMethod` | PaymentMethod | Yes      | Card or wallet details to tokenize |
| `customerId`    | string        | No       | Associate with existing customer   |
| `metadata`      | object        | No       | Additional data (max 20 keys)      |

## Response Fields

| Field               | Type   | Description                             |
| ------------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------- |
| `paymentMethodId`   | string | Token ID for future use (e.g., pm\_xxx) |
| `paymentMethodType` | string | card, wallet, etc.                      |
| `status`            | string | ACTIVE                                  |
| `fingerprint`       | string | Unique identifier for this card         |
| `statusCode`        | number | HTTP status code                        |

## Example

### SDK Setup

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

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

### Request

```javascript
const request = {
    paymentMethod: {
        card: {
            cardNumber: { value: "4242424242424242" },
            cardExpMonth: { value: "12" },
            cardExpYear: { value: "2027" },
            cardCvc: { value: "123" },
            cardHolderName: { value: "John Doe" }
        }
    },
    customerId: "cus_xxx"
};

const response = await paymentMethodClient.tokenize(request);
```

### Response

```javascript
{
    paymentMethodId: "pm_3Oxxx...",
    paymentMethodType: "card",
    status: "ACTIVE",
    fingerprint: "abc123...",
    statusCode: 200
}
```

## Using Tokenized Payment Methods

```javascript
// Use the token in authorize
const authResponse = await paymentClient.authorize({
    merchantTransactionId: "txn_001",
    amount: { minorAmount: 1000, currency: "USD" },
    paymentMethod: {
        paymentMethodId: "pm_3Oxxx..."  // Use token instead of raw card
    },
    authType: "NO_THREE_DS"
});
```

## Next Steps

* [Payment Service](/integrations/prism/node/payment-service.md) - Use tokenized payment methods
* [Recurring Payment Service](/integrations/prism/node/recurring-payment-service.md) - Set up subscriptions with stored cards


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