# Environments (/docs/guides/authentication/enviroments) 

# 🌍 Our API Environments [#-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 [#-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 |

<Callout type="warning">
  **Your API keys and base URL must match the environment.**
  A sandbox key won't work on the live API, and vice versa.
</Callout>

## 🧪 Testing in Sandbox [#-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)

<Callout type="idea">
  Sandbox transactions **do not move real money** and are safe for repeated testing.
</Callout>

***

## 🚀 Switching to Live [#-switching-to-live]

Once your integration is complete and tested:

1. Change your base URL to `https://api.handsin.com/v1`
2. Use your **Live** API key
3. Configure your **Live webhooks** in the dashboard
4. Configure your **Live payment processor** in the dashboard

Everything else — endpoints, formats, and headers — remains exactly the same.