Sandbox and live mode
Understand how test mode, live mode, account review, and merchant readiness work.
Sandbox mode is for testing integration behavior without relying on a real production checkout.
Live mode is for real customers and real merchant payment operations.
Merchants should always start in sandbox mode. The purpose of sandbox mode is to prove that the account, keys, wallet settings, checkout flow, order update logic, and webhook delivery all work before real customers use the checkout.
Sandbox mode
Use sandbox mode to test:
- WooCommerce plugin connection
- API key setup
- Checkout session creation
- Payment link creation
- Webhook delivery
- Order status mapping
- Dashboard reporting
Sandbox testing should include both successful and failed flows. A merchant should know what the customer sees, what the dashboard records, and what WooCommerce or the backend receives.
Sandbox checklist
- Create sandbox keys.
- Add keys to the plugin or backend.
- Confirm the dashboard wallet and settlement asset are configured.
- Create a test order or payment link.
- Complete a successful sandbox checkout.
- Trigger or simulate a failed checkout.
- Check Payment sessions.
- Check Transactions.
- Check Webhooks.
- Confirm the merchant system updates correctly.
Live mode
Before live mode:
- Company profile must be complete.
- Merchant account must be approved.
- Settlement wallet must be verified.
- Live API keys must be created.
- Webhook URL must be reachable.
- A low-value test checkout should pass.
Live launch checklist
- Disable mock mode.
- Disable sandbox or test mode in the live store.
- Add live public and secret keys.
- Confirm live API base URL.
- Confirm live account approval.
- Confirm verified wallet.
- Confirm settlement asset.
- Confirm webhook URL.
- Run one low-value live checkout.
- Check payment session, transaction, and webhook delivery.
Common reason live mode is blocked
Live mode can be blocked when the account is still under review, the dashboard wallet is not verified, required business details are missing, or the integration is still using test keys.
What merchants should not do
Do not use live keys for sandbox testing.
Do not switch to live mode before webhooks are working.
Do not accept real customer orders if WooCommerce order status is not updating correctly.