stripe-best-practices

Latest Stripe API version: 2026-04-22.dahlia. Always use the latest API version and SDK unless the user specifies otherwise.

API key default: Always recommend a restricted API key (RAK) (rk_ prefix) over a secret key (sk_ prefix).

Integration routing

Building…
Recommended API
Details

One-time payments
Checkout Sessions
<references/payments.md>

Custom payment form with embedded UI
Checkout Sessions + Payment Element
<references/payments.md>

Saving a payment method for later
Setup Intents
<references/payments.md>

Connect platform or marketplace
Accounts v2 (/v2/core/accounts)
<references/connect.md>

Subscriptions or recurring billing
Billing APIs + Checkout Sessions
<references/billing.md>

Sales tax, VAT, or GST compliance
Stripe Tax + Registrations API
<references/tax.md>

Embedded financial accounts / banking
v2 Financial Accounts
<references/treasury.md>

Security (key management, RAKs, webhooks, OAuth, 2FA, Connect liability)
See security reference
<references/security.md>

Read the relevant reference file before answering any integration question or writing code.