> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.me-cash.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Quotes Works

> Understand how meCash generates real-time, guaranteed exchange rates for cross-border conversions.

The **meCash Quote API** returns a guaranteed exchange rate, fee breakdown, and settlement summary before you send money. Presenting this data to your users builds trust and prevents surprises when they confirm a payout.

<Tip> Every quote response contains a `quoteId`. You must send the same ID when creating a payout so the locked-in rate, fees, and rules are applied.</Tip>

## Quote lifecycle

When customers request a conversion, your platform should create a quote immediately. The flow below shows how the hand-off between your systems and meCash works.

```mermaid theme={null}
sequenceDiagram
    participant User as End User
    participant Platform as Your Platform
    participant MeCash as meCash API

    User->>Platform: Request conversion (e.g. NGN → USD)
    activate Platform

    Platform->>MeCash: POST /v1/quote { amount, source, target }
    activate MeCash

    MeCash-->>Platform: quoteId, rate, fees, settlement info
    deactivate MeCash

    Platform-->>User: Display guaranteed amount + charges
    deactivate Platform
```

<Steps>
  ### User requests a rate

  Collect the source amount, currency pair, and payment channel in your UI.

  ### Platform creates the quote

  Send the data to `POST /v1/quote`. meCash evaluates limits, fees, and returns a `quoteId`.

  ### User confirms

  Store the quote and prompt the user to continue to payout before it expires (`expiresInSeconds`).
</Steps>

<details>
  <summary>Watch the in-product experience</summary>

  <Bleed full>
    <iframe src="public/images/meCash.mp4" width="100%" height="480px" title="meCash Quote flow demo" />
  </Bleed>
</details>

## What the response contains

* **Totals**: Exchange rate, fee breakdown, and target currency amount.
* **Rules**: Corridor limits and compliance requirements that applied.
* **Expiry**: `expiresInSeconds` tells you how long the quote remains valid. Quotes expire 10 minutes after creation unless otherwise stated in the response.

If the quote expires or fails validation, the [payout endpoint](/payout-docs/create-payout) returns an error. Refresh the quote and retry the payout with the new `quoteId`.

## Why quotes matter

* **Transparency**: Show the exact amount the recipient will receive before you debit the sender.
* **Compliance**: Respect corridor-specific rules, limits, and required disclosures.
* **User experience**: Prevent failed payouts by validating balances and rates upfront.

## Next steps

* Jump straight into the API Reference to inspect request and response schemas.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create Quote API" icon="code" href="/quote/create-quote">
    Review the full OpenAPI reference for `POST /v1/quote`, including schema details, example requests, and live testing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Get Quote API" icon="search" href="/quote/get-quote">
    Fetch stored quotes via the API Reference entry for `GET /v1/quote/{quoteId}` and validate payload structures.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Payout" icon="paper-plane" href="/payout-docs/create-payout">
    Use your `quoteId` to disburse funds to a recipient.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

* Generate a quote programmatically with the [`Create Quote API`](/quote-docs/create-quote).
* Explore sample payloads in [`Create Quote examples`](/quote-docs/create-quote-all-examples).
* Retrieve an existing quote using the [`Get Quote API`](/quote-docs/get-quote) before completing a payout.