> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://opentrain.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payments Overview

> How payments work on OpenTrain AI — the milestone-based model, employer payment methods, and AI trainer payout setup.

OpenTrain AI uses a milestone-based payment model. Employers fund work in advance, AI trainers complete deliverables, and funds are released through Stripe once the employer approves.

<Note>
  OpenTrain AI uses Stripe for payment processing. Employers add a payment method to fund milestones. AI trainers add a payout method from **Settings -> Payouts -> Add Payout Method**; Stripe hosts the secure setup flow for identity, tax, and bank details.
</Note>

## How payments work

<Steps>
  <Step title="Employer creates and funds a milestone">
    When structuring a job contract, you (the employer) create milestones that represent discrete units of work with agreed payment amounts. Funding a milestone charges your payment method and holds the funds securely.
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Trainer completes the work">
    The AI trainer sees the funded milestone in their job view and completes the agreed work. When ready, they request approval to release the payment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Employer approves">
    You review the completed work and approve the milestone. Approval triggers payout to the AI trainer's connected bank account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Trainer receives funds">
    Stripe releases the funds to the AI trainer's connected bank account according to the payout schedule.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What each side needs to set up

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Employers">
    As an employer, you need a valid payment method on file to fund milestones. This is charged when you click **Fund** on a milestone in a job contract. No separate Stripe account setup is required on your side — OpenTrain AI handles payment collection through Stripe on your behalf.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AI Trainers">
    As an AI trainer, you must connect a payout method in your OpenTrain account settings before you can receive payments. You start from **Settings -> Payouts -> Add Payout Method**. Stripe hosts the secure form, but you should not create a separate Stripe account on stripe.com. See [Payments & payouts](/trainers/payments-payouts) for setup instructions.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Learn more

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Milestone payment statuses" href="/payments/milestones">
    Shared milestone status reference for employers and AI trainers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Employer invoicing and payments" href="/employers/invoicing-payouts">
    How employers fund milestones, approve completed work, and download invoices
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI trainer payments and payouts" href="/trainers/payments-payouts">
    How AI trainers view milestones, request payout, add a payout method, and download payout records
  </Card>

  <Card title="Payout country availability" href="/payments/payout-country-availability">
    Supported countries for OpenTrain payout setup
  </Card>
</CardGroup>