Test mode

Test mode lets you wire an app to Stripe’s test environment. When it’s active, Keylight uses your test credentials to verify webhooks and create checkout sessions — your live account is never touched.

When to use it

Use test mode when you want to verify the end-to-end purchase flow (Stripe Checkout → webhook → license minted) before going live, without real payments.

It is distinct from manual webhook mode, which is a permanent integration style. Test mode is temporary scaffolding you remove once you’ve confirmed everything works.

Enabling test mode

1. Open Apps → [your app] → Key Types.
2. In the Stripe Integration sidebar, click Enter test mode (or expand the test credentials form).
3. Fill in:
   • Test secret key — must start with sk_test_. Find it in the Stripe dashboard under Developers → API keys.
   • Webhook signing secret — must start with whsec_. Create a local webhook endpoint in Stripe CLI (stripe listen) or a test endpoint in the Stripe dashboard, then copy the signing secret it shows.
   • Test Price IDs (per key type, optional) — price_... IDs from your Stripe test environment. Required if you want test checkouts to create sessions for specific key types.
4. Click Save test credentials.

The app’s status changes to Testing and a badge appears on the app card.

Note

The secret key and webhook secret are encrypted at rest using your account’s master key. They are never stored in plaintext.

What changes in test mode

	Normal (Connect)	Test mode
Webhook signature verified with	Connected account secret	Your whsec_... test secret
Checkout sessions created via	Connected account key	Your sk_test_... key
Activate / validate / deactivate	Unchanged	Unchanged
License issuance on checkout	✓	✓

Activate and validate work normally — test mode only affects the Stripe-facing side.

Exiting test mode

In the same Stripe Integration sidebar, click Exit test mode. This clears the stored test credentials and returns the app to its previous status. The Testing badge disappears.

Caution

Exiting test mode also clears the per-key-type test Price IDs. You will need to re-enter them if you enable test mode again.

Related

• Connect onboarding — link your live Stripe account.
• Manual webhook mode — alternative integration if you can’t use Connect.
• App status — how the Testing badge fits into the product status model.