Overview
HOST Pay provides two separate environments for every application to ensure safe development and testing without affecting production data.Test Mode
Sandbox environment for development and testing
Live Mode
Production environment for real transactions
Key Differences
| Feature | Test Mode | Live Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Test API keys | Live API keys |
| Database | Separate test schema | Separate live schema |
| Stripe | Stripe Test Mode | Stripe Live Mode |
| Mobile Money | Mock Monime Service | Real Monime API |
| Real Money | No real money | Real transactions |
| Webhooks | Test webhook URLs | Production webhook URLs |
Test Mode
What is Test Mode?
Test Mode is a complete sandbox environment that mirrors Live Mode functionality without processing real money or making real API calls to payment providers.Features
Mock Payment Services
Mock Payment Services
- Mock Monime Service: Simulates mobile money without real transactions
- Stripe Test Mode: Uses Stripe’s test cards and API
- All payment responses mirror real API structures
Isolated Data
Isolated Data
- Completely separate database schema - Test data never mixes with production data - Safe to experiment and delete data
Full API Access
Full API Access
- All API endpoints available - Same rate limits as Live Mode - Webhook events triggered normally
Testing Tools
Testing Tools
- Simulate successful and failed payments
- Test edge cases and error handling
- Debug without risk
Using Test Mode
Simply use your Test Mode credentials:Test Mode Indicators
Resources created in Test Mode will have
"live_mode": false in their
response.Live Mode
What is Live Mode?
Live Mode is the production environment where real transactions are processed, real money moves, and actual API calls are made to payment providers.Features
- Real Transactions: Actual money transfers
- Live Payment Providers: Real Stripe and Monime APIs
- Production Database: Separate live schema
- Real Webhooks: Events sent to production URLs
- Compliance: Full regulatory compliance required
Using Live Mode
Use your Live Mode credentials:Live Mode Indicators
Switching Between Environments
Environment Selection
The environment is automatically determined by which credentials you use:Configuration Management
- Environment Variables
- Config Class
- JSON Config
Testing Best Practices
Payment Provider Modes
Stripe
- Test Mode
- Live Mode
Test Cards (always work): -
4242 4242 4242 4242 - Visa (succeeds) -
4000 0000 0000 0002 - Visa (card declined) - 4000 0000 0000 9995 - Visa
(insufficient funds) Use any future expiry date and any 3-digit CVC.Monime (Mobile Money)
- Test Mode
- Live Mode
MockMonimePaymentService provides:
- Simulated USSD codes
- Instant payment confirmation (for testing)
- No real mobile money transactions
- Predictable responses
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Initial Development
Use Test Mode for all initial development work.Scenario 2: Pre-Production Testing
Stay in Test Mode until all tests pass.Scenario 3: Going Live
Switch to Live Mode only after thorough testing.Scenario 4: Debugging Production
Use Test Mode to safely reproduce and fix issues.Checklist: Going Live
Before switching to Live Mode, ensure:Need Help?
Testing Guide
Learn how to test effectively in Test Mode
Support
Questions about going live? Contact us