Getting started

Credo is a TypeScript framework for issuing, holding and verifying verifiable credentials. It supports OpenID4VC and DIDComm, and formats such as SD-JWT VC, mdoc, W3C Verifiable Credentials and AnonCreds. This section takes you from an empty project to a running agent.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 22 or later (Credo is tested on Node.js 22, 24 and 26), or React Native. These pages use Expo for React Native.
• A TypeScript project that uses ES modules. Credo is published as ES modules only.

Browsers aren't supported, and Bun and Deno aren't tested. See Platforms.

Choose your setup

Four choices come up before you write any code. If you're not sure, start with the default. You can add a protocol or format later, and an agent can use several at once.

Choice	Default	Pick the other option when	Details
Platform	Node.js, for issuers, verifiers, mediators and cloud wallets	You build a mobile wallet: use React Native with Expo	Platforms
Protocol	OpenID4VC	Use DIDComm if you need a lasting connection with messaging between agents, or AnonCreds, or your ecosystem is built on Aries. A wallet can support both	Protocols
Credential format	SD-JWT VC	Your ecosystem asks for another one: mdoc for mobile driving licences, W3C VCs for Open Badges or EBSI, AnonCreds (DIDComm only) for predicates and unlinkable presentations. The EUDI Wallet uses SD-JWT VC and mdoc	Credential formats
Storage	On a server, Drizzle on PostgreSQL for the records, as SQL tables that scale to many tenants and instances, and Askar for the keys. In a mobile wallet, Askar for both	Use SQLite instead of PostgreSQL for a single server instance or local development. A mobile wallet can also use Drizzle on expo-sqlite	Storage

The getting started pages use Drizzle on SQLite with Askar for the keys on Node.js, and Askar on React Native. They work for any protocol and format.

Read in this order

1. Installation

Set up a Node.js or Expo project and install Credo and its storage.

2. Your first agent

Create an agent, initialize it, create a DID and shut it down.

3. Example setups

Complete configurations for wallets, issuers, verifiers, mediators and tests.

Where to go next

Once your agent runs, pick the guide for what you're building:

Issue credentials

Run an OpenID4VCI issuer that wallets receive credentials from.

Verify credentials

Request and verify presentations with OpenID4VP.

Build a wallet

Receive, store and present credentials in a mobile or server wallet.

Use DIDComm

Connect to other agents and exchange messages and credentials over DIDComm.

If you're new to verifiable credentials, start with Concepts. If you use an AI coding assistant, see AI coding agents.