If you require a sandbox environment for a merchant store or you're looking to build a custom application or integration, you will require a developer account. This guide provides the steps for setting up a developer account in Recharge. 

Before you start

• Developer accounts are used as a testing environment and are intended to be used only for this purpose.
• Development stores on a free Shopify and BigCommerce plan are automatically configured as Recharge test stores.
• A store automatically switches to a live store and starts billing if:
  • The merchant upgrades to a paid Shopify or BigCommerce plan.
  • We detect the store is processing real orders (not in test mode) on Shopify.
• Refer to the Recharge API guide, to learn more about the API, including accessing and creating API tokens.

Create a developer account on Recharge Checkout on Shopify or BigCommerce

1. Install Recharge on a Shopify or BigCommerce store you plan to use as your test store (not a live store).
2. Create a Stripe account.
3. Set your payment process in Recharge to be in test mode.
   1. In the merchant portal, click Settings and select Payment.
   2. Select Stripe under Payment processor.
   3. Enable the option to Change your store to a test store.
   4. Add the test Stripe keys.
4. Access the Recharge API documentation to view the Recharge API specification. 

Create a developer account on the Shopify Checkout Integration

1. Install Recharge on a Shopify development store.
2. Set Shopify Payments to test mode in the Shopify settings. If you are using another supported payment processor ensure that it is set to test/developer mode.
3. Access the Recharge API documentation to view the Recharge API specification. 

Create a developer account on the BigCommerce Checkout Integration

1. Install Recharge on a BigCommerce development store. 
2. Follow the steps to Creating a test order in BigCommerce to test payment transactions. If you are using another supported payment processor ensure that it is set to test/developer mode.
3. Access the Recharge API documentation to view the Recharge API specification. 

Join the Slack group

Optionally, reach out to the Recharge team if you would like access to our dedicated API Slack group for developers. You can ask questions in this channel directly to the API team and other developers who build off of the Recharge API.

Developer support

• Visit the Recharge Developer Documentation to find tutorials and how-to guides for developing on the Recharge platform.
• Access the API Reference to view the Recharge API specification.

Performing test transactions

Once your developer account is enabled, you can perform test transactions using test credentials. Use the following information at the checkout to simulate a successful transaction.

• Card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242.
• Name on card: Enter at least two words, i.e. Test Transaction.
• Expiry date: This can be any date in the future.
• CVV: This can be any three digits.

Merchants using the Shopify Checkout Integration should use the Shopify test credentials.