Authentication
Environments
Learn about the differences between sandbox and live environments
Get Markdown🌍 Our API Environments
Hands In provides two separate environments for API integration:
- Sandbox – a safe testing environment that simulates payments
- Live – the production system where real transactions occur
Understanding the difference between these environments is essential for a smooth integration process.
🔁 Key Differences: Sandbox vs Live
| Feature | Sandbox | Live |
|---|---|---|
| Base URL | https://api.sandbox.handsin.com/v1 | https://api.handsin.com/v1 |
| API Keys | Separate Sandbox API Key | Separate Live API Key |
| Transactions | Simulated (no real payments) | Real transactions and charges |
| Webhooks | Sent to sandbox-specific webhook URLs | Sent to live-specific webhook URLs |
| Gateway Connections | Must connect test credentials separately | Must connect live credentials separately |
| API Behavior | Identical structure, requests, and responses | Identical structure, requests, and responses |
Your API keys and base URL must match the environment. A sandbox key won't work on the live API, and vice versa.
🧪 Testing in Sandbox
The Sandbox environment is designed for development and testing. Use it to:
- Test payment creation, group payments, declines, refunds, and 3DS flows
- Simulate success/failure scenarios using test card numbers
- Confirm webhook event handling (set up separate endpoints)
Sandbox transactions do not move real money and are safe for repeated testing.
🚀 Switching to Live
Once your integration is complete and tested:
- Change your base URL to
https://api.handsin.com/v1 - Use your Live API key
- Configure your Live webhooks in the dashboard
- Configure your Live payment processor in the dashboard
Everything else — endpoints, formats, and headers — remains exactly the same.