Resolving production issues in your AWS/Stripe integration using Workbench

This blog shows how to find when something is wrong in production, avoid jumping between tabs/docs to find information, and resolving issues quickly in the troubleshooting process, using an AWS integration as a starting point.

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Stripe
•
James Beswick
•7 min read•beginner•
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•View Original
AWSAWS Lambda

Overview

This article discusses how AWS developers can resolve production issues related to their integration with Stripe using Workbench, a debugging tool that provides detailed logs and insights. It covers common problems, such as duplicate API calls and failed requests, and offers actionable steps to troubleshoot and mitigate these issues effectively.

What You'll Learn

1

How to use Workbench to detect duplicate API calls in your application

2

Why using an idempotency header is crucial for preventing duplicate requests

3

How to identify and troubleshoot failed API requests using Workbench

4

When to use the Errors tab in Workbench to aggregate and resolve common errors

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of API integration and AWS services
  • Access to a Stripe account and familiarity with its dashboard

Key Questions Answered

How can I detect duplicate API calls in my AWS application using Workbench?
You can detect duplicate API calls by using the Logs tab in Workbench to filter logs by resource ID and HTTP method. This allows you to identify multiple calls to the same endpoint with different idempotency headers, indicating potential issues in your application.
What should I do if my API request fails in production?
If an API request fails, check your AWS logs to confirm it was sent. Use Workbench to verify if Stripe received it, and ensure your API key permissions and URL are correct. Common HTTP status codes like 401 and 403 indicate authentication issues, while 402 points to payment detail problems.
What are the benefits of using the Errors tab in Workbench?
The Errors tab aggregates errors by type, helping you identify common issues in your application. This allows for quicker problem resolution by focusing on the root causes of multiple errors reported by users.
How can I resend failed Stripe events in my AWS account?
To resend failed Stripe events, navigate to the Event destinations tab in Workbench, filter by 'Failed/Pending' status, and select an event to view its delivery attempts. You can then resend the event to the event bus from the detailed view.

Technologies & Tools

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Backend
AWS Lambda
Used for hosting applications and executing code in response to events.
Backend
Stripe
Provides payment processing APIs that integrate with AWS applications.
Backend
Amazon Eventbridge
Used for routing events from Stripe to AWS services.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Utilize the Workbench Logs tab to filter and analyze API calls effectively.
This helps in identifying issues like duplicate calls or failed requests quickly, allowing for faster debugging and resolution.
2
Implement idempotency headers in your API requests to prevent unintended side effects from retries.
This is crucial when using AWS Lambda, where transient errors can lead to multiple executions of the same request.
3
Regularly check the Errors tab in Workbench to monitor and address common errors reported by users.
This proactive approach can help maintain application stability and improve user experience.
4
Set up Stripe events to push data changes directly to your AWS account for real-time synchronization.
This reduces the need for polling APIs and ensures your application has the most up-to-date information.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to implement idempotency headers can lead to unintended duplicate requests when using AWS services.
This often occurs because AWS Lambda may retry executions due to transient errors, and without idempotency, these retries can cause issues.
2
Not verifying API request permissions can result in failed requests that are difficult to diagnose.
If the necessary permissions are not set, requests may not reach Stripe, leading to confusion and wasted debugging time.

Related Concepts

API Integration Best Practices
Error Handling In AWS Applications
Idempotency In Distributed Systems
Real-time Data Synchronization Techniques