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Build and test everything with test keys first. When it all works, switch to live keys. Your code does not change: only the keys do.

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What test and live mode keep apart

  • API keys. sk_test_… and rk_test_… keys work in test mode. sk_live_… and rk_live_… keys work in live mode.
  • Gateway connections. You connect your gateway once with its test keys and once with its live keys. A test request charges through the test connection only.
  • Saved cards. A card saved in test mode can never be charged by a live key, and a live card is never visible to a test key.

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Checklist

1

Confirm your business details

Your business name, address and tax details print on every invoice. Check them in the dashboard under Settings.
2

Connect your gateway's live account

Open Developers → Payment gateways, pick your gateway and choose Connect live account. Paste your live keys, then copy the Inbound webhook URL into your gateway’s dashboard. See Connect a gateway.
3

Create a live API key

Open Developers → API Keys and create a live key. Prefer a restricted key with only the scopes your app needs. Keep it on your server, never in a browser or mobile app.
4

Point a webhook endpoint at production

Add your production URL under Developers → Webhooks and store its signing secret. It is shown once. See Webhooks.
5

Review your billing settings

Under Billing settings, check your currencies, invoice numbering, VAT, payment terms and how failed payments are retried. See Failed payments.
6

Make one real payment

Subscribe yourself with a real card, check the invoice and the webhook, then refund it.