> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cheqd.io/product/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cheqd.io/product/sdk/credo/credentials/anoncreds/issue-credential.md).
# Issue a Verifiable Credential
Using **AnonCreds** and the **Issue Credential v2 Protocol**, you can issue Verifiable Credentials signed by a **`did:cheqd`** identifier with just a few lines of code. This guide walks through the full flow using the **Credo Agent**.
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
* A **registered `did:cheqd`** [**Decentralized Identifier (DID)**](/product/sdk/credo/dids/create-did.md) for the Issuer.
* A [**Credential Schema**](/product/sdk/credo/did-linked-resources/create-schema.md) and [**Credential Definition**](/product/sdk/credo/did-linked-resources/create-cred-def.md) already created and published as DID-Linked Resources.
* A [Credo Agent](/product/sdk/credo/set-up-agent.md) configured with:
* `@credo-ts/cheqd` for DID operations and resource publishing.
* `@credo-ts/anoncreds` for AnonCreds credential handling.
* `@credo-ts/didcomm` for DIDComm messaging
* Two agents: an **Issuer** and a **Holder** (can be separate apps or run locally)
* Secure connectivity between agents using **Out-of-Band (OOB)** or a supported connection method.
## Step 1: Create a Connection with Holder
Use any supported method to create a connection with the Holder of the credential. Automated [out-of-band protocol](https://identity.foundation/didcomm-messaging/spec/#out-of-band-messages) is recommended.
### 1a: Issuer Creates Connection Invite
The Issuer agent will create a new connection invite for the Holder. This is needed to securely communicate between the Issuer and the Holder agents.
{% code title="Issuer" %}
```typescript
const createNewInvitation = async (agent: Agent) => {
const outOfBandRecord = await agent.modules.oob.createInvitation()
return {
invitationUrl: outOfBandRecord.outOfBandInvitation.toUrl({ domain: 'http://localhost:3001' }),
outOfBandRecord,
}
}
```
{% endcode %}
### 1b: Holder receives invitation
The above request will have an `invitation` in the response. Holder will have to copy that invitation and pass URL as `invitationUrl` in the following code:
{% code title="Holder" %}
```typescript
const receiveInvitation = async (agent: Agent, invitationUrl: string) => {
const { outOfBandRecord } = await agent.modules.oob.receiveInvitationFromUrl(invitationUrl)
if (!outOfBandRecord) {
throw new Error(redText(Output.NoConnectionRecordFromOutOfBand))
}
return outOfBandRecord
}
```
{% endcode %}
## Step 2: Prepare and Send Credential Offer
Generate a credential offer and send to the holder, informing them about the available credential and its attributes.
{% code title="Issuer" %}
```typescript
await this.agent.modules.credentials.offerCredential({
connectionId: connectionRecord.id,
protocolVersion: 'v2',
credentialFormats: {
anoncreds: {
attributes: [
{
name: 'name',
value: 'Alice Smith',
},
{
name: 'degree',
value: 'Computer Science',
},
{
name: 'date',
value: '01/01/2022',
},
],
credentialDefinitionId: credentialDefinition.credentialDefinitionId,
},
},
})
```
{% endcode %}
## Step 3: Holder accepts credential offer
When we want to accept a credential, we have to listen to incoming credentials and handle accordingly. In this example we do not have any user interaction, but is likely that your application would have a user-interface which would display the credential. When receiving a credential offer you can get the values from `credentialExchangeRecord.credentialAttributes`.
{% code title="Holder" %}
```typescript
this.agent.events.on(CredentialEventTypes.CredentialStateChanged,
async ({ payload }: CredentialStateChangedEvent) => {
switch (payload.credentialRecord.state) {
case CredentialState.OfferReceived:
console.log('received a credential')
// custom logic here
await this.agent.modules.credentials.acceptOffer({ credentialRecordId: payload.credentialRecord.id })
break
case CredentialState.Done:
console.log(`Credential for credential id ${payload.credentialRecord.id} is accepted`)
// For demo purposes we exit the program here.
process.exit(0)
}
})
```
{% endcode %}
## Summary
| Step | Action |
| ---- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1 | Create and accept a secure connection between Issuer and Holder |
| 2 | Issuer prepares and sends a credential offer (via AnonCreds v2) |
| 3 | Holder accepts and stores the credential automatically or via UI |
---
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