> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payracle.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> Overview of the Payracle API

Welcome to the Payracle API. This documentation covers everything available for accepting payments: persistent per-customer virtual accounts, one-time dynamic checkout accounts, and the webhooks that notify you when money moves.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/payracle/z4qAteAU2ZfFLc3x/images/getting-started.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=z4qAteAU2ZfFLc3x&q=85&s=debfc06f70d30b9e167f60490aaabdd0" alt="Payracle Dashboard" style={{ borderRadius: '12px', border: '1px solid #E5E7EB' }} width="2844" height="1594" data-path="images/getting-started.png" />

Base URL: `https://api.payracle.com/api/v1`

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Public vs secret keys, live/test mode
  </Card>

  <Card title="Virtual Accounts" icon="building-columns" href="/virtual-accounts/create">
    Persistent, per-customer bank accounts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Checkout & Dynamic Accounts" icon="bolt" href="/checkout/overview">
    One-time payment sessions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhooks" icon="webhook" href="/webhooks/overview">
    Real-time payment notifications
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Environments

Payracle supports two environments — **Sandbox** and **Live**. Use Sandbox to test integrations without processing real transactions; switch between modes in your dashboard. Each mode has its own pair of API keys (a `pk_test_`/`sk_test_` pair and a `pk_live_`/`sk_live_` pair) — Payracle detects which environment you're in automatically from which key you send, no separate mode flag needed.

## Authentication at a glance

Every request needs a Bearer token — but which key you use depends on where the call is made from:

* **Secret key** (`sk_live_...` / `sk_test_...`) — your own backend only. Can call every endpoint.
* **Public key** (`pk_live_...` / `pk_test_...`) — safe for client-side code (browser, mobile app). Can *only* initialize a checkout.

See [Authentication](/authentication) for the full picture, including the `X-Business-ID` header the public key requires.

## Integrating

* Building a checkout button on a website? Start with the [JavaScript widget](/sdks/javascript).
* Building a mobile app? Use the [Flutter](/sdks/flutter) or [React Native](/sdks/react-native) SDK.
* Issuing your customers their own reusable bank account numbers? See [Virtual Accounts](/virtual-accounts/create).
* Want to know the instant a payment lands? Set up [Webhooks](/webhooks/overview).