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On-chain policy vs off-chain guards (AlgoKit)

Current product: Spending policy is enforced off-chain in the Python SDK (guards + Redis/memory) and in the hosted app (workspace fields on agent pay).

When to add AlgoKit contracts

  • Subwallet escrows with on-chain disburse deadlines (isolated spend buckets pattern).
  • Payment router contract for composable checkout splits.
  • Immutable policy commitments where auditors must see rules on-chain.

For most agent spend limits, off-chain guards + audit logs remain simpler and cheaper. Revisit after mainnet volume or compliance requirements justify contract development.