# Channels

A payment channel represents a persistent way to collect on behalf of a beneficiary from a payer.

Where a [collection](/pt-br/products/collections/v0/concepts/collections) is a single payment request that expires, a channel is a standing arrangement. It stays open, and the payer can send funds through it repeatedly without a new link being generated each time. Each payment received through a channel is recorded as its own [transaction](/pt-br/products/collections/v0/concepts/transactions).

Use a channel for an ongoing payer relationship — a recurring supplier, a marketplace seller collecting from the same buyer, a customer topping up a balance.

## How channels relate to other resources

- The [partners](/pt-br/products/collections/v0/concepts/partners) involved are the payer and the beneficiary.
- Each payment through the channel produces a [transaction](/pt-br/products/collections/v0/concepts/transactions).


## API operations

- [Create a channel](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-channels/createchannel): Generate a new payment channel between a beneficiary and payer.
- [List channels](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-channels/listchannels): Retrieve a list of all channels, which can be filtered by `id`, `payer_id`, or `beneficiary_id`.
- [Get channel details](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-channels/getchannelbyid): View the full details and current status of a single channel.