Guides
Identity
Choose whether an agent represents a person or operates as a business-owned identity.
Ramp supports two identity models. Use a user identity when an agent assists one person. Use a standalone identity when the business wants an agent to own work, permissions, and its lifecycle independently.
| Criterion | Acting on behalf of a userAvailable today | Standalone agentLimited early access |
|---|---|---|
| Identity belongs to | An individual Ramp user | The business |
| Permissions | Follows the connected user's Ramp permissions | Receives access explicitly assigned by an admin |
| Best for | Personal assistance and interactive work | Background automation and shared company workflows |
| Continuity and control | Depends on the user's connection and access | Managed independently through its own lifecycle |
| Attribution | Work runs with the user's identity and permissions | Supported activity is attributed to the agent |
Agents acting on behalf of users
MCP and CLI actions run as the Ramp user who completed OAuth. Visibility and actions follow that user's permissions. If Sarah connects Ramp, her agent sees the same Ramp businesses, cards, funds, and workflows Sarah can access.
Admins can manage which users have access to MCP connectors via the Integrations page in app.
| Merchant | Cardholder | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Notion Software |  Claude On behalf of Dana | $486 | Aug 12, 2026 |
Agents with their own identities
Standalone agents are first-class virtual employees on Ramp. They have their own credentials, explicitly assigned permissions, an accountable human owner, and a lifecycle that the business manages independently.
This model works well for background automation and shared workflows that should not depend on one employee's account. It is available in limited early access.
| Merchant | Cardholder | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
 DoorDash Meals | Office Manager | $140 | Aug 11, 2026 |
Example: first-level bill review
An invoice review agent can compare hundreds of line items with the company's system of record, approve clean bills, and send mismatches to a person. The agent appears in the approval chain under its own identity instead of making every decision under an employee's account.
Approval
Google Ads invoice
Bill · Advertising · Due Sep 15
$2,400.00
USD
Approval chain
- Invoice Review AgentAgentOwned by Dana MeyerDoneCoded + matched invoice
- Dana MeyerOwnerGrowth LeadPendingAwaiting approval
- FinanceFinal review · pays billUpcomingAfter owner approval
Controls for standalone agents
- Least privilege: The agent starts with minimal access. An admin grants only the permissions required for its job.
- Human ownership: Every standalone agent has an accountable Ramp user who owns its setup and operation.
- Immediate control: Admins can pause access, rotate credentials, or remove the agent independently.
- Separate attribution: Supported activity identifies the agent instead of borrowing a person's identity.
Adding an agent to an approval workflow does not grant authority by itself. The agent must also have the permissions required to review or approve that work.
Reach out to the team to get early access.