Testing Payments

Payment test mode lets you verify your payment setup without real charges. Each major provider offers a sandbox / test mode. Use it before:

• Launching a new store.
• Switching payment providers.
• Material configuration changes (capture mode, 3DS rules, etc.).
• Post-incident validation.

You'll work at /admin/store/{storeId}/settings/payments for provider-side toggling.

Test mode per provider

Each provider has its own test mode:

Tanqory itself doesn't have a global "test mode" toggle: each provider toggles independently.

Before you begin

• You are signed in to your Tanqory store admin.
• You have Manage payments permission.
• You have your provider in test mode (NOT live).

Steps

1. Open Settings > Payments

Verify the provider you're testing is in test mode.

(opens full size)

2. Place a test order in a private browser

Use the provider's published test card numbers:

• Stripe: 4242 4242 4242 4242 (any future expiry, any CVV).
• PayPal sandbox: use the sandbox buyer account.
• Adyen: per their test docs.

3. Walk through checkout normally

• Add product.
• Enter test card.
• Submit.

4. Verify the order in Tanqory admin

Should appear as paid (or captured-or-authorized per your capture-mode setting).

5. Verify in the provider dashboard

The transaction should appear in the provider's test transactions.

6. Test various scenarios

Each provider exposes test cards for:

• Successful purchase.
• Declined card.
• 3-D Secure challenge.
• Insufficient funds.
• CVV mismatch.

Test each so you know how your checkout handles them.

7. (Pre-launch) Switch to LIVE mode

Before real customers can pay, switch each provider to live mode at the provider's dashboard.

8. Confirm with a small real transaction

After switching to live: place a real test order with a small amount (e.g., $1) using your own card. Verify settlement.

Verify the result

• Test order completes end-to-end.
• Order shows in Tanqory + provider dashboard.
• Various scenarios (declined, 3DS) handled gracefully.
• After live-mode switch: small real transaction completes.

Best practices

• Always test before launch.
• Test in private browser: your session may cache.
• Test on mobile: checkout UX differs.
• Test all relevant scenarios: declined, 3DS, etc.
• Document the test plan for future reproducibility.

Common mistakes

• Skipping test mode: finding bugs with real customer money.
• Forgetting to switch to live: customers can't pay.
• Testing only happy path: declined-card UX broken in production.
• Not testing 3DS: high-friction checkout for European customers.
• Different test card numbers than your provider expects.

If something goes wrong

• Test transaction fails: verify you're in test mode + using the right test card.
• Test transaction succeeds but production fails: likely a configuration difference.
• 3DS test fails: provider may require specific test card for 3DS scenarios.
• Permission denied: your role lacks Manage payments.

Next steps

• Add a Payment Provider
• Payment Processing
• Payment Methods Overview

Related articles

• Credit Card Payments
• Payment Failed: Troubleshooting
• Checkout Conversion Rate Over Time