Preparing for Stripe API upgrades

New Stripe API versions come with new, and sometimes breaking, changes which should be evaluated before upgrading. Stripe Sandboxes and Workbench provide tooling to create isolated workspaces to test applications against these new changes.

Cecil Phillip
8 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article discusses the importance of preparing for Stripe API upgrades by using the Sandboxes feature to create isolated test environments. It provides a detailed guide on how to evaluate API changes safely before applying them to production, ensuring smooth integration and minimizing disruptions.

What You'll Learn

1

How to create and use Sandboxes for testing Stripe API upgrades

2

Why it's crucial to evaluate API changes in a test environment before production deployment

3

How to manage API versioning and upgrades within the Stripe Dashboard

Key Questions Answered

How can I safely test Stripe API upgrades before going live?
You can safely test Stripe API upgrades by using the Sandboxes feature in the Stripe Dashboard, which allows you to create isolated environments for testing without affecting your production account. This ensures that you can evaluate the impact of new API versions on your application in a controlled setting.
What is the current version of the Stripe API?
At the time of writing, the current version of the Stripe API is 2024-06-20. New versions are published whenever breaking changes are introduced, and users can manually set the API version for requests using the Stripe-Version HTTP header.
What should I do before upgrading my Stripe API version?
Before upgrading your Stripe API version, you should review the changelog and API upgrades documentation for breaking changes. Additionally, create a sandbox environment to test your application against the new API version to identify any potential issues.
How do I roll back an API version upgrade in Stripe?
In production, you have 72 hours to roll back an API version upgrade after it becomes permanent. You can do this through the API versions section in the Workbench of your Stripe Dashboard, allowing you to revert to the previous version if necessary.

Technologies & Tools

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Backend
Stripe
Used for payment processing and API integration in applications.
Backend
Asp.net Core
Framework used in the provided code example for creating a minimal API.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Utilize the Sandboxes feature to create isolated testing environments for your Stripe API upgrades.
This allows you to evaluate the effects of new API versions on your application without risking disruptions in your production environment.
2
Always review the changelog and API upgrades documentation before proceeding with an upgrade.
Understanding the changes and potential breaking changes will help you prepare your application for a smooth transition.
3
Make use of the Workbench in the Stripe Dashboard to monitor your current API version and available upgrades.
This tool helps you keep track of your API versioning and ensures you are aware of any necessary updates.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to test API upgrades in a sandbox can lead to unexpected breaking changes in production.
Without proper testing, developers may encounter issues that disrupt service for customers, making it crucial to validate changes in a safe environment.

Related Concepts

API Versioning
Testing Best Practices
Stripe SDK Usage