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

# Introduction

Telr enables businesses to automate recurring payment collection from customers. Our system streamlines the payment process while providing flexibility in payment schedules and methods.

**What is a Mandate?**

A mandate is a contract between you and your customer that allows you to deduct funds from your customer on either a pre-decided frequency or on-demand upto a pre-decided amount.

We support various payment methods that are compliant with RBI regulations. Your customers can pay using **Cards**, **eNACH**, **UPI autopay**, and **physical NACH (aka paper-based NACH)**.

## How Subscription works

When integrating with a subscription API, understanding key terms is essential for managing subscriptions, billing, and customer access correctly. Here are the primary terms to know:

## Plans

A plan is a structured static construct that defines the terms of a recurring subscription service. Plans typically include key information that determines the billing, features, and usage associated with a subscription.

**Example:** Netflix Plans - Premium, Basic, Standard, Mobile. Each plan differs and caters for a particular use-case.

Here’s a breakdown of what a plan usually consists of

<Accordion title="Plan Parameters">
  | Parameter                      | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
  | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
  | **Plan Name**                  | Name of the plan. This will be visible to the customer during the mandate authorization process.                                                                                                                                                                         |
  | **Plan Type**                  | There are two types of plans - `Periodic`, `On-Demand`. Choose Periodic if you wish to debit a fixed amount from your customers at fixed intervals (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly). Choose On-Demand if the subscriptions do not have a fixed period or a fixed amount. |
  | **Maximum Amount**             | The maximum amount that you can charge your customer for that particular subscription. A mandate is created for your customers for this amount.                                                                                                                          |
  | **Recurring Amount**           | The amount that will be debited from your customer on a recurring basis.                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
  | **Charge Customer Once Every** | The frequency at which your customers will be charged. Frequency values could range from: (Day(s), Week(s), Month(s), Year(s))                                                                                                                                           |
  | **Max. No. Of Debits**         | The maximum number of times you can debit your customers using this plan. If left blank, the subscription expiry date will be the completion date.                                                                                                                       |
  | **Description**                | A text that describes the plan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
</Accordion>

You can create a new plan either through the dashboard or through the [API](/api-reference/payments/latest/subscription/plans/create). To give flexibility for certain usecases, you create a subscription without a plan.

## Subscriptions

Represents the relationship between a customer and a plan, indicating that the customer is actively using the service and is being billed on a recurring basis.

<Accordion title="Subscription Parameters">
  | Parameter                      | Description                                                                                                                                                                    |
  | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
  | **Customer Details**           | Customer details such as customer name, email, and phone number. Email & phone number are required for triggering communications via email or SMS to your customers.           |
  | **Subscription ID**            | The ID through which the subscription is identified.                                                                                                                           |
  | **Select Plan**                | Select an existing plan or create a subscription without a plan. In case no pre-defined plan is to be used, all necessary details will have to be given for this subscription. |
  | **Subscription Type**          | Select the Subscription Type - Periodic or On-Demand.                                                                                                                          |
  | **Plan Name**                  | Provide the plan name if you are not selecting an existing plan. This will be visible to the customer during the mandate authorization process.                                |
  | **Maximum Amount**             | The maximum amount you can charge your customer for this subscription.                                                                                                         |
  | **Recurring Amount**           | If the Subscription type is periodic, specify the recurring amount you want to charge your customer as per the agreed payment schedule.                                        |
  | **Charge Customer Once Every** | The time interval in which you want to charge your customer.                                                                                                                   |
  | **Max. No. of Debits**         | The maximum number of times you want to charge your customer for this subscription.                                                                                            |
  | **First Charge Date**          | The date on which your customer will be charged for the first time for this subscription. Applicable only for periodic subscriptions.                                          |
  | **Subscription Ends**          | The date on which this subscription ends. It can end on a particular date or will remain active until you or your customer cancels it.                                         |
  | **Expiry Date**                | The last date the customer will be charged for this subscription.                                                                                                              |
  | **Return URL**                 | The URL to which your customers will be redirected once the subscription is authorized.                                                                                        |
</Accordion>