Shift4

Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is a US-based integrated payments and commerce technology company headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and a Fortune 1000 business serving restaurants, hospitality, retail, gaming, stadiums, e-commerce, and nonprofit verticals. It operates as an end-to-end acquirer-processor, owning the full stack from its own gateway and card acquiring through in-person SkyTab POS hardware, online checkout, and alternative payment methods, and has expanded internationally through acquisitions including Finaro (Credorax), Global Blue, and others. Its public developer surface is genuinely API-native: a Redocly-powered developer portal at docs.shift4.com publishes the Shift4 Payment API, a single downloadable OpenAPI 3.1 definition (v1.7.57, 70 paths) covering card transactions, tokenization, gift cards, devices/terminals, ACH, QR and PayPal alternative payments, 3D Secure, payment links, checkout sessions, OCT payouts, and reporting, authenticated with a header AccessToken (API key) plus HMAC-SHA256 request signing and backed by webhook event notifications, a sandbox, SDKs, and a published Postman collection.

Shift4 publishes 11 APIs on the APIs.io network, including Transactions API, Tokens API, Gift Cards API, and 8 more. Tagged areas include Payments, United States, Payment Processing, Payment Gateway, and Acquiring.

The Shift4 catalog on APIs.io includes 1 event-driven AsyncAPI specification.

Shift4’s developer surface includes authentication, documentation, API reference, getting-started guide, changelog, support, sandbox, and 27 more developer resources.

🌐 Visit website 📡 Source on GitHub
45.9/100 developing ▬ flat Agent 84/100 agent native Full breakdown ↓
scored 2026-07-27 · rubric v0.5
11 APIs 1 MCP Servers
PaymentsUnited StatesPayment ProcessingPayment GatewayAcquiringPayment TerminalTokenizationACH3D SecureGift CardsPayment LinksCard Present

Kin Score

Kin Score Kin Score How this is scored →
scored 2026-07-27 · rubric v0.5
Composite quality — 45.9/100 · developing
Contract Quality 10.6 / 25
Developer Ergonomics 16.5 / 20
Commercial Clarity 1.6 / 20
Operational Transparency 6.8 / 13
Governance 0.0 / 12
Discoverability 10.0 / 10
Agent readiness — 84/100 · agent native
Machine-Readable Contract 18 / 18
Agentic Access Contract 15 / 15
MCP Server 12 / 12
Machine-Readable Auth 10 / 10
Idempotency 9 / 9
Stable Error Semantics 8 / 8
Request/Response Examples 0 / 7
Rate-Limit Signaling 0 / 7
Typed Event Surface 6 / 6
Agent Skills 5 / 5
Well-Known Catalog 4 / 4
Consent & Bot Identity 0 / 3
Improve this rating by publishing the missing artifacts — every area above can be raised, and the full rubric is at apis.io/rating/. This rating is computed from github.com/api-evangelist/shift4: open an issue to ask a question, or submit a pull request to add artifacts. Want it done for you? Prioritized profiling — $2,500 →

APIs 11

Individual APIs this provider publishes, each with its own machine-readable definition.

Shift4 Transactions API

Core card payment processing for the Shift4 Payment API — authorize, capture, sale, refund, and manage card transactions, including card entry, processing mode, dynamic currency...

Shift4 Tokens API

Tokenization endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create, retrieve, and manage card tokens (single-use and card-on-file) plus the account updater for keeping stored credential...

Shift4 Gift Cards API

Gift card issuance and redemption for the Shift4 Payment API — activate, add value, redeem, balance-inquire, and manage stored-value gift card accounts.

Shift4 Devices API

In-person and terminal control for the Shift4 Payment API — drive card-present devices, EMV/contactless acceptance, and the Commerce Engine for attended and unattended payment h...

Shift4 ACH API

ACH bank-account payment endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create and manage ACH debit/credit transactions, backed by ACH webhook notifications for asynchronous status upda...

Shift4 Alternative & QR Payments API

Alternative payment methods for the Shift4 Payment API — QR-code payments (including Citcon, WeChat Pay, and Alipay) and PayPal acceptance.

Shift4 3D Secure & Risk API

Cardholder authentication and fraud controls for the Shift4 Payment API — 3D Secure (3DS) authentication flows plus risk scoring and rule evaluation.

Shift4 Payment Links API

Hosted payment link endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create, configure, share, and reconcile shareable payment links, with payment-link webhook notifications.

Shift4 Checkout Sessions API

Hosted checkout session endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create and retrieve checkout sessions for online payment collection, with checkout-session webhook notifications.

Shift4 OCT Payouts API

Original Credit Transaction (OCT) endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — push funds to cardholders for payouts and disbursements.

Shift4 Reports & Merchants API

Reporting and account endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — transaction reports plus merchant and credentials lookups.

Scroll for all 11

MCP Servers 1

Model Context Protocol servers that expose these APIs to AI agents.

shift4-mcp.yml

MCP SERVER

Event Specifications 1

AsyncAPI definitions for this provider's event-driven and streaming APIs.

Shift4 Webhooks

ASYNCAPI

Security Posture 2

Authentication, domain security, vulnerability disclosure, and trust-center signals.

Shift4 Authentication

apiKey/http · 2 schemes

SECURITY

Shift4 Domain Security

TLSv1.3 · DMARC

SECURITY

Agentic Access 1

Recommended x-agentic-access execution contracts for AI agents.

Shift4 Agentic Access

72 operations · 63 acting · 1 human-in-the-loop

72 operations · 63 acting

AGENTIC

Resources

Get Started 3

Portal, sign-up, and the first successful call

DeveloperPortal
DeveloperPortal
 GettingStarted
GettingStarted
 Sandbox
Sandbox

Documentation 2

Reference material describing how the API behaves

Documentation
Documentation
 APIReference
APIReference

Agent Surfaces 5

MCP servers, agent skills, and machine-readable catalogs

AgenticAccess
AgenticAccess
 WellKnown
WellKnown
 MCPServer
MCPServer
 LLMsTxt
LLMsTxt
 AgentSkill
AgentSkill

Design & Contract 8

Pagination, idempotency, versioning, errors, and events

Conformance
Conformance
 ErrorCatalog
ErrorCatalog
 Lifecycle
Lifecycle
 Conventions
Conventions
 Idempotency
Idempotency
 DataModel
DataModel
 Webhooks
Webhooks
 Components
Components

Scroll for all 8

Build 6

SDKs, sample code, and the tooling you integrate with

Postman
Postman
 JavaScriptLibrary
JavaScriptLibrary
 GitHubOrganization
GitHubOrganization
 Packages
Packages
 SDKs
SDKs
 DeclineCodes
DeclineCodes

Access & Security 3

Authentication, authorization, and security posture

DomainSecurity
DomainSecurity
 Authentication
Authentication
 Compliance
Compliance

Operate 5

Status, limits, changes, and where to get help

ChangeLog
ChangeLog
 Support
Support
 StatusPage
StatusPage
 Deprecation
Deprecation
 ChangeLog
ChangeLog

Company 1

The organization behind the API

Website
Website

Other 1

Properties that don't map to a standard resource type

Overlay
Overlay

Source (apis.yml)

apis.yml Raw ↑ 
aid: shift4
url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/shift4/refs/heads/main/apis.yml
name: Shift4
kind: company
description: 'Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is a US-based integrated payments and commerce technology company headquartered in Center
  Valley, Pennsylvania, and a Fortune 1000 business serving restaurants, hospitality, retail, gaming, stadiums, e-commerce,
  and nonprofit verticals. It operates as an end-to-end acquirer-processor, owning the full stack from its own gateway and
  card acquiring through in-person SkyTab POS hardware, online checkout, and alternative payment methods, and has expanded
  internationally through acquisitions including Finaro (Credorax), Global Blue, and others. Its public developer surface
  is genuinely API-native: a Redocly-powered developer portal at docs.shift4.com publishes the Shift4 Payment API, a single
  downloadable OpenAPI 3.1 definition (v1.7.57, 70 paths) covering card transactions, tokenization, gift cards, devices/terminals,
  ACH, QR and PayPal alternative payments, 3D Secure, payment links, checkout sessions, OCT payouts, and reporting, authenticated
  with a header AccessToken (API key) plus HMAC-SHA256 request signing and backed by webhook event notifications, a sandbox,
  SDKs, and a published Postman collection.'
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/apis-json-logo.jpg
tags:
- Payments
- United States
- Payment Processing
- Payment Gateway
- Acquiring
- Payment Terminal
- Tokenization
- ACH
- 3D Secure
- Gift Cards
- Payment Links
- Card Present
created: '2026-07-24'
modified: '2026-07-24'
specificationVersion: '0.19'
apis:
- aid: shift4:shift4-transactions-api
  name: Shift4 Transactions API
  description: Core card payment processing for the Shift4 Payment API — authorize, capture, sale, refund, and manage card
    transactions, including card entry, processing mode, dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and batch settlement.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Transactions
  - Cards
  - DCC
  - Batches
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/core-concepts/capturing-sales
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-tokens-api
  name: Shift4 Tokens API
  description: Tokenization endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create, retrieve, and manage card tokens (single-use and
    card-on-file) plus the account updater for keeping stored credentials current.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Tokens
  - Updater
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/core-concepts/understanding-card-tokens
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-gift-cards-api
  name: Shift4 Gift Cards API
  description: Gift card issuance and redemption for the Shift4 Payment API — activate, add value, redeem, balance-inquire,
    and manage stored-value gift card accounts.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Gift Cards
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-devices-api
  name: Shift4 Devices API
  description: In-person and terminal control for the Shift4 Payment API — drive card-present devices, EMV/contactless acceptance,
    and the Commerce Engine for attended and unattended payment hardware.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Devices
  - Card Present
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/device-functionality/commerce-engine
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-ach-api
  name: Shift4 ACH API
  description: ACH bank-account payment endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create and manage ACH debit/credit transactions,
    backed by ACH webhook notifications for asynchronous status updates.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - ACH
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/alternative-payments/ach
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-alternative-payments-api
  name: Shift4 Alternative & QR Payments API
  description: Alternative payment methods for the Shift4 Payment API — QR-code payments (including Citcon, WeChat Pay, and
    Alipay) and PayPal acceptance.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - QR Payments
  - PayPal
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/alternative-payments
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-3d-secure-api
  name: Shift4 3D Secure & Risk API
  description: Cardholder authentication and fraud controls for the Shift4 Payment API — 3D Secure (3DS) authentication flows
    plus risk scoring and rule evaluation.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - 3D Secure
  - Risk
  - Rule
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/advanced-concepts/3d-secure
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-payment-links-api
  name: Shift4 Payment Links API
  description: Hosted payment link endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create, configure, share, and reconcile shareable
    payment links, with payment-link webhook notifications.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Payment Links
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/core-concepts/payment-links
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-checkout-sessions-api
  name: Shift4 Checkout Sessions API
  description: Hosted checkout session endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — create and retrieve checkout sessions for online
    payment collection, with checkout-session webhook notifications.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Checkout Sessions
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-oct-payouts-api
  name: Shift4 OCT Payouts API
  description: Original Credit Transaction (OCT) endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — push funds to cardholders for payouts
    and disbursements.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - OCT
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- aid: shift4:shift4-reports-api
  name: Shift4 Reports & Merchants API
  description: Reporting and account endpoints for the Shift4 Payment API — transaction reports plus merchant and credentials
    lookups.
  humanURL: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
  baseURL: https://api.shift4api.net/api/rest/v1
  tags:
  - Reports
  - Merchants
  - Credentials
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/shift4-payment-api.yml
  - type: APIReference
    url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
common:
- type: AgenticAccess
  url: agentic-access/shift4-agentic-access.yml
- type: DomainSecurity
  url: security/shift4-domain-security.yml
- type: Authentication
  url: authentication/shift4-authentication.yml
- type: Website
  url: https://www.shift4.com
- type: DeveloperPortal
  url: https://docs.shift4.com
- type: Documentation
  url: https://docs.shift4.com
- type: APIReference
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/apis/payments-platform-rest/openapi
- type: GettingStarted
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/quickstart
- type: Postman
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/tools/postman
- type: ChangeLog
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/changelog
- type: Support
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/support
- type: StatusPage
  url: https://status.shift4.com
- type: JavaScriptLibrary
  url: https://dev.shift4.com/docs/js/
- type: GitHubOrganization
  url: https://github.com/shift4developer
- type: Packages
  url: packages/shift4-packages.yml
- type: SDKs
  url: packages/shift4-packages.yml
- type: WellKnown
  url: well-known/shift4-well-known.yml
- type: MCPServer
  url: mcp/shift4-mcp.yml
- type: LLMsTxt
  url: llms/shift4-llms.txt
- type: Overlay
  url: overlays/shift4-payment-api-overlay.yaml
- type: Conformance
  url: conformance/shift4-conformance.yml
- type: Compliance
  url: https://www.shift4.com/pdf/S4P-PCI-DSS-Roles-and-Responsibilities.pdf
- type: ErrorCatalog
  url: errors/shift4-error-codes.yml
- type: DeclineCodes
  url: errors/shift4-decline-codes.yml
- type: Lifecycle
  url: lifecycle/shift4-lifecycle.yml
- type: Deprecation
  url: https://docs.shift4.com/guides/deprecated/legacy-card-tokens
- type: Sandbox
  url: sandbox/shift4-sandbox.yml
- type: Conventions
  url: conventions/shift4-conventions.yml
- type: Idempotency
  url: conventions/shift4-conventions.yml
- type: ChangeLog
  url: changelog/shift4-changelog.yml
- type: DataModel
  url: data-model/shift4-data-model.yml
- type: Webhooks
  url: asyncapi/shift4-webhooks.yml
- type: Components
  url: components/shift4-components.yml
- type: AgentSkill
  url: skills/_index.yml
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com