> 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/python/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.

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

## Purpose

| Scenario           | Benefit                          |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------- |
| One-click checkout | No re-entry of card details      |
| Recurring billing  | Stored methods for subscriptions |
| PCI compliance     | No raw card storage              |

## Request Fields

| Field            | Type          | Required | Description                      |
| ---------------- | ------------- | -------- | -------------------------------- |
| `payment_method` | PaymentMethod | Yes      | Card or wallet details           |
| `customer_id`    | str           | No       | Associate with existing customer |
| `metadata`       | dict          | No       | Additional data                  |

## Response Fields

| Field                 | Type | Description              |
| --------------------- | ---- | ------------------------ |
| `payment_method_id`   | str  | Token ID (e.g., pm\_xxx) |
| `payment_method_type` | str  | card, wallet, etc.       |
| `status`              | str  | ACTIVE                   |
| `status_code`         | int  | HTTP status code         |

## Example

### SDK Setup

```python
from hyperswitch_prism import PaymentMethodClient

payment_method_client = PaymentMethodClient(
    connector='stripe',
    api_key='YOUR_API_KEY',
    environment='SANDBOX'
)
```

### Request

```python
request = {
    "payment_method": {
        "card": {
            "card_number": {"value": "4242424242424242"},
            "card_exp_month": {"value": "12"},
            "card_exp_year": {"value": "2027"},
            "card_cvc": {"value": "123"},
            "card_holder_name": {"value": "John Doe"}
        }
    },
    "customer_id": "cus_xxx"
}

response = await payment_method_client.tokenize(request)
```

### Response

```python
{
    "payment_method_id": "pm_3Oxxx...",
    "payment_method_type": "card",
    "status": "ACTIVE",
    "status_code": 200
}
```

## Using Tokenized Payment Methods

```python
# Use the token in authorize
auth_response = await payment_client.authorize({
    "merchant_transaction_id": "txn_001",
    "amount": {"minor_amount": 1000, "currency": "USD"},
    "payment_method": {
        "payment_method_id": "pm_3Oxxx..."
    },
    "auth_type": "NO_THREE_DS"
})
```

## Next Steps

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


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