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Test and Live Mode

ParaSta has two modes, distinguished by API key prefix:

  • Test mode (sk_test_, pk_test_) — Simulated. No real on-chain transfer, no real settlement. Test webhook events fire from a separate test event stream.
  • Live mode (sk_live_, pk_live_) — Real money. On-chain transfers, real settlement.

Both modes share the same base URL (https://api.parasta.io) and endpoint paths. The mode is inferred from the key.

In test mode, ParaSta provides simulated wallet addresses for each supported network. Sending the exact amount to the pay_address triggers payment.succeeded. To simulate other outcomes (payment.failed, payment.expired, refund failures), use the amount-based triggers documented in Testing.

Use a test key during development and a live key in production. Most teams keep both in environment variables (PARASTA_TEST_KEY, PARASTA_LIVE_KEY) and select by environment.