Web Payments Skill (Stripe)
For integrating Stripe payments into web applications - one-time payments, subscriptions, and checkout flows.
Sources: Stripe Checkout | Payment Element Best Practices | Building Solid Stripe Integrations | Subscriptions
Setup
1. Create Stripe Account
- Go to https://dashboard.stripe.com/register
- Complete business verification
- Get API keys from https://dashboard.stripe.com/apikeys
2. Environment Variables
bash
# .env
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_xxx # Server-side only
STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_test_xxx # Client-side safe
STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET=whsec_xxx # For webhook verification
# Production
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_live_xxx
STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_live_xxx
3. Install SDK
bash
# Node.js
npm install stripe @stripe/stripe-js
# Python
pip install stripe
Integration Options
| Method | Best For | Complexity | |
|---|
| Checkout (Hosted) | Quick setup, Stripe-hosted page | Low | |
| Checkout (Embedded) | Custom site, embedded form | Low | |
| Payment Element | Full customization, complex flows | Medium | |
| Custom Form | Complete control (rare) | High | |
Recommendation: Start with Checkout, migrate to Payment Element if needed.
Stripe Checkout (Recommended)
Server: Create Checkout Session
Node.js / Next.js
typescript
// app/api/checkout/route.ts (Next.js App Router)
import Stripe from "stripe";
import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
const stripe = new Stripe(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY!);
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const { priceId, mode = "payment" } = await request.json();
try {
const session = await stripe.checkout.sessions.create({
mode: mode as "payment" | "subscription",
payment_method_types: ["card"],
line_items: [
{
price: priceId,
quantity: 1,
},
],
success_url: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_URL}/success?session_id={CHECKOUT_SESSION_ID}`,
cancel_url: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_URL}/canceled`,
// Optional: Link to existing customer
// customer: customerId,
// Optional: Collect shipping
// shipping_address_collection: { allowed_countries: ["US", "CA"] },
// Optional: Add metadata for tracking
metadata: {
userId: "user_123",
source: "pricing_page",
},
});
return NextResponse.json({ sessionId: session.id, url: session.url });
} catch (error) {
console.error("Stripe error:", error);
return NextResponse.json({ error: "Failed to create session" }, { status: 500 });
}
}
Python / FastAPI
python
# app/api/checkout.py
import stripe
from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
from pydantic import BaseModel
import os
stripe.api_key = os.environ["STRIPE_SECRET_KEY"]
router = APIRouter()
class CheckoutRequest(BaseModel):
price_id: str
mode: str = "payment" # or "subscription"
@router.post("/api/checkout")
async def create_checkout_session(request: CheckoutRequest):
try:
session = stripe.checkout.Session.create(
mode=request.mode,
payment_method_types=["card"],
line_items=[{
"price": request.price_id,
"quantity": 1,
}],
success_url=f"{os.environ['APP_URL']}/success?session_id={{CHECKOUT_SESSION_ID}}",
cancel_url=f"{os.environ['APP_URL']}/canceled",
metadata={
"user_id": "user_123",
},
)
return {"session_id": session.id, "url": session.url}
except stripe.error.StripeError as e:
raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
Client: Redirect to Checkout
typescript
// components/CheckoutButton.tsx
"use client";
import { loadStripe } from "@stripe/stripe-js";
const stripePromise = loadStripe(process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY!);
export function CheckoutButton({ priceId }: { priceId: string }) {
const handleCheckout = async () => {
const response = await fetch("/api/checkout", {
method: "POST",
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
body: JSON.stringify({ priceId }),
});
const { url } = await response.json();
// Redirect to Stripe Checkout
window.location.href = url;
};
return (
<button onClick={handleCheckout}>
Subscribe Now
</button>
);
}
Embedded Checkout
For keeping users on your site:
typescript
// components/EmbeddedCheckout.tsx
"use client";
import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
import { loadStripe } from "@stripe/stripe-js";
import {
EmbeddedCheckoutProvider,
EmbeddedCheckout,
} from "@stripe/react-stripe-js";
const stripePromise = loadStripe(process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY!);
export function EmbeddedCheckoutForm({ priceId }: { priceId: string }) {
const [clientSecret, setClientSecret] = useState("");
useEffect(() => {
fetch("/api/checkout/embedded", {
method: "POST",
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
body: JSON.stringify({ priceId }),
})
.then((res) => res.json())
.then((data) => setClientSecret(data.clientSecret));
}, [priceId]);
if (!clientSecret)
return <div>Loading...</div>;
return (
<EmbeddedCheckoutProvider stripe={stripePromise} options={{ clientSecret }}>
<EmbeddedCheckout />
</EmbeddedCheckoutProvider>
);
}
Server endpoint for embedded:
typescript
// app/api/checkout/embedded/route.ts
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const { priceId } = await request.json();
const session = await stripe.checkout.sessions.create({
mode: "subscription",
line_items: [{ price: priceId, quantity: 1 }],
ui_mode: "embedded",
return_url: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_URL}/success?session_id={CHECKOUT_SESSION_ID}`,
});
return NextResponse.json({ clientSecret: session.client_secret });
}
Webhooks (Critical)
Never trust client-side data. Always verify payments via webhooks.
Webhook Endpoint
typescript
// app/api/webhooks/stripe/route.ts
import Stripe from "stripe";
import { headers } from "next/headers";
const stripe = new Stripe(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY!);
const webhookSecret = process.env.STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET!;
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const body = await request.text();
const signature = headers().get("stripe-signature")!;
let event: Stripe.Event;
// Verify webhook signature
try {
event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent(body, signature, webhookSecret);
} catch (err) {
console.error("Webhook signature verification failed");
return new Response("Invalid signature", { status: 400 });
}
// Handle events
switch (event.type) {
case "checkout.session.completed": {
const session = event.data.object as Stripe.Checkout.Session;
await handleCheckoutComplete(session);
break;
}
case "customer.subscription.created":
case "customer.subscription.updated": {
const subscription = event.data.object as Stripe.Subscription;
await handleSubscriptionUpdate(subscription);
break;
}
case "customer.subscription.deleted": {
const subscription = event.data.object as Stripe.Subscription;
await handleSubscriptionCanceled(subscription);
break;
}
case "invoice.payment_failed": {
const invoice = event.data.object as Stripe.Invoice;
await handlePaymentFailed(invoice);
break;
}
default:
console.log(`Unhandled event type: ${event.type}`);
}
// Return 200 quickly - process async if needed
return new Response("OK", { status: 200 });
}
async function handleCheckoutComplete(session: Stripe.Checkout.Session) {
const userId = session.metadata?.userId;
const customerId = session.customer as string;
const subscriptionId = session.subscription as string;
// Update your database
await db.user.update({
where: { id: userId },
data: {
stripeCustomerId: customerId,
stripeSubscriptionId: subscriptionId,
subscriptionStatus: "active",
},
});
}
Python Webhook
python
# app/api/webhooks.py
import stripe
from fastapi import APIRouter, Request, HTTPException
router = APIRouter()
@router.post("/api/webhooks/stripe")
async def stripe_webhook(request: Request):
payload = await request.body()
sig_header = request.headers.get("stripe-signature")
try:
event = stripe.Webhook.construct_event(
payload, sig_header, os.environ["STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET"]
)
except ValueError:
raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid payload")
except stripe.error.SignatureVerificationError:
raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid signature")
# Handle events
if event["type"] == "checkout.session.completed":
session = event["data"]["object"]
await handle_checkout_complete(session)
elif event["type"] == "customer.subscription.deleted":
subscription = event["data"]["object"]
await handle_subscription_canceled(subscription)
return {"status": "success"}
Key Webhook Events
| Event | When | Action | |
|---|
checkout.session.completed | Payment successful | Provision access | |
customer.subscription.created | New subscription | Store subscription ID | |
customer.subscription.updated | Plan change | Update plan in DB | |
customer.subscription.deleted | Canceled | Revoke access | |
invoice.payment_failed | Payment failed | Notify user, retry | |
invoice.paid | Renewal successful | Extend access | |
Products & Prices
Create via Dashboard (Recommended)
- Go to https://dashboard.stripe.com/products
- Create product with name, description
- Add price(s) - one-time or recurring
- Copy Price ID (
price_xxx)
Create via API
typescript
// One-time product
const product = await stripe.products.create({
name: "Pro Plan",
description: "Full access to all features",
});
const price = await stripe.prices.create({
product: product.id,
unit_amount: 2999, // $29.99 in cents
currency: "usd",
});
// Subscription product
const subscriptionPrice = await stripe.prices.create({
product: product.id,
unit_amount: 999, // $9.99/month
currency: "usd",
recurring: {
interval: "month",
},
});
Customer Portal
Let users manage their subscriptions:
typescript
// app/api/portal/route.ts
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const { customerId } = await request.json();
const session = await stripe.billingPortal.sessions.create({
customer: customerId,
return_url: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_URL}/settings`,
});
return NextResponse.json({ url: session.url });
}
Configure portal at: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/billing/portal
Subscriptions
Create Subscription with Trial
typescript
const session = await stripe.checkout.sessions.create({
mode: "subscription",
line_items: [{ price: priceId, quantity: 1 }],
subscription_data: {
trial_period_days: 14,
// Cancel if no payment method after trial
trial_settings: {
end_behavior: { missing_payment_method: "cancel" },
},
},
success_url: successUrl,
cancel_url: cancelUrl,
});
Check Subscription Status
typescript
// lib/subscription.ts
export async function getSubscriptionStatus(customerId: string) {
const subscriptions = await stripe.subscriptions.list({
customer: customerId,
status: "all",
limit: 1,
});