> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.cryptopay.me/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay.md).

# Get Started with Cryptopay

Welcome to Cryptopay Developers. This guide gives you an overview of the Cryptopay integration flow and helps you choose the right way to get started.

A great start is to set up your integration in the Sandbox environment and test the features you need. You can integrate directly with Cryptopay through the API, or connect through a third-party provider. Once your onboarding process is complete, we verify your account and enable Production access. 

{% hint style="info" icon="message-smile" %}
Our Integration Team is available throughout the process to help with implementation in a dedicated chat. Ask your manager to create one for your integration, or contact us by email **<implementation@cryptopay.me>** so we can connect with your team and keep communication quick and easy.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't plan to use the API, visit our [Help Center](https://intercom.help/minfee-llc/en/) for detailed guides on using Cryptopay features and managing your merchant account.
{% endhint %}

## **STEP 1. Create a test account**

* Register a test account by following this link: <https://business-sandbox.cryptopay.me/auth/signup>
* You will receive an "Email address confirmation" email asking you to confirm your email address – click on the green "Confirm your email" button, and you will be redirected to the account password creation page. Create a password and log in to your account.&#x20;
* Enable Two-factor authentication (2FA). This is a mandatory action. Once 2FA is enabled, you can use the security code 000000 (this combination works only on sandbox) to log in.
* Contact your Integration or Account Manager at Cryptopay to activate your test account and top up your test balances to be able to make test payments.

## **STEP 2. Create API credentials**

After sandbox account is verified, create your API keys in the **API Keys** section of your merchant account. Then, go to the **Integration** section and configure your **Callback URL** and **Callback Secret**.

{% hint style="info" icon="comment-exclamation" %}
If you’re integrating through a cashier or third-party provider, check with their integration team before configuring these settings. They may need you to provide the API keys you create or use the Callback URL and Callback Secret provided by their team.
{% endhint %}

Here you can check the detailed guide on [API credentials.](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/api-credentials)<br>

## STEP 3. Test your integration

Once you have created your API credentials, you can start testing your integration in the Sandbox environment.

Testing is available both through your **merchant account** and via the **API**, and you can combine the two. For example, you can create an Invoice through the API and then complete the payment through your merchant account.

Below are three step-by-step guides covering the main Cryptopay payment flows:

* [**Test an Invoice**](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/invoices) — create and complete an Invoice.
* [**Test a Channel**](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/channels) — create and test a Channel payment.
* [**Test a Withdrawal**](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/payouts) — create and complete a Withdrawal.

## STEP 4. Finalize the integration

1. Make sure you are receiving the [callbacks](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/api-basics/callbacks) and processing them correctly on your side. Handling callbacks correctly is crucial to make sure your integration’s business logic works as expected. It is highly recommended to validate payment statuses and callback data against the expected payment details in your system before triggering any business logic.
2. Make sure that you credit the funds to the customer's balance when the payment status is updated to `completed.` &#x20;
3. Make sure that resending callbacks with the `completed` status does not result in the recharging of funds to the customer's balance on your side
4. Make sure that all the relevant teams on your side (Support Team, Finance Team, Fraud Team, Transaction Monitoring Team) are aware of how Cryptopay payment [risk scoring](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/risks) works and that incoming payments can be assigned with the `On Hold` status  and the `Illicit Resources` context  in cases where they were sent from wallets connected to criminal activity

## STEP 5. Go live

Once you have completed the onboarding process, production access will be enabled for your account.

The integration itself does not change, but there are a few important differences when moving from Sandbox to Production:

* Update the **Base URL** to the **Production API URL** - <https://business.cryptopay.me/.&#x20>;
* Replace your **Sandbox API credentials** with your **Production API credentials.**
* Check and update your **callback settings** for the production environment.

Once these settings are updated, your integration is ready to process real transactions.