## Stripe Apps: Building and Managing Integrations

This documentation suite provides comprehensive guidance on developing, distributing, and managing **Stripe Apps**, a platform for extending Stripe's functionality and embedding custom user experiences within the Stripe Dashboard.

**Key Areas Covered:**

*   **Getting Started with Stripe Apps:** Learn the fundamentals of app development, including building, previewing, and updating your first Stripe app.
*   **App Development Fundamentals:**
    *   **How Stripe Apps Work:** Understand the core concepts and architecture of Stripe Apps.
    *   **App Types:** Explore the different app types you can build (backend, frontend, full-stack).
    *   **API Authentication:** Choose and implement the appropriate authentication methods (Platform key, OAuth 2.0, Restricted API Key).
    *   **Server-Side Logic:** Integrate backend code to validate user actions, process data, and synchronize with external systems.
    *   **Building a UI:** Utilize Stripe's UI Extensions SDK and UI toolkit to create custom user interfaces within the Stripe Dashboard.
    *   **UI Components:** Access a comprehensive library of pre-built UI components for building consistent and accessible interfaces.
    *   **App Manifest:** Understand and configure the `stripe-app.json` file, which describes your app's integration with Stripe.
    *   **Permissions:** Define and manage the necessary permissions for your app to access user data and Stripe APIs.
    *   **Secret Store API:** Securely store and retrieve sensitive data like authentication credentials.
*   **Enhancing User Experience:**
    *   **Onboarding:** Guide users through a seamless sign-in and initial setup process.
    *   **Design Patterns:** Follow recommended patterns for common app functionalities like onboarding, redirects, and state communication.
    *   **UI Testing:** Implement robust testing strategies for your app's user interface.
    *   **Styling:** Learn how to style your app to maintain visual consistency with the Stripe Dashboard.
*   **Distribution and Management:**
    *   **Distribution Options:** Understand how to make your app publicly available on the Stripe App Marketplace or share it privately with your team.
    *   **Publishing an App:** Navigate the process of getting your app approved for the Stripe App Marketplace.
    *   **App Review Requirements:** Familiarize yourself with the quality standards for apps on the marketplace.
    *   **Testing Your App:** Set up external tests to allow other accounts to install and evaluate your app before publication.
    *   **Uploading and Installing:** Learn how to upload your app to the test mode sandbox and install it on your Stripe account.
    *   **Versions and Releases:** Manage app versions and releases to ship new features and updates effectively.
*   **Migration and Integrations:**
    *   **Migrating Legacy Extensions:** Understand why and how to migrate older extension integrations to the newer Stripe Apps platform.
    *   **Embedded Apps:** Integrate third-party Stripe Apps into your own platform using embedded components.
    *   **Marketing Software Integrations:** Leverage prebuilt integrations for marketing tools like Mailchimp.
*   **Advanced Features:**
    *   **Deep Links:** Create deep links to navigate users directly to specific sections of your Stripe app.
    *   **Install Links:** Allow users to install your app outside of the Stripe App Marketplace.
    *   **Sandbox Support:** Enable your public app for sandbox installation for testing and evaluation.
    *   **Local Network Access:** Configure local network access for app previewing.
    *   **Handling Modes:** Adapt your app to function correctly in both live mode and sandbox environments.
    *   **Roles in UI Extensions:** Tailor app functionality based on user roles within the Stripe Dashboard.
    *   **Route Descriptors:** Implement soft, context-preserving navigation within the Stripe Dashboard.
    *   **Authorization Flows:** Implement PKCE OAuth workflows for secure authorization.
    *   **Post-Install Actions:** Support additional configurations that occur after app installation.
    *   **Sample Apps:** Explore working examples to guide your development process.

This documentation suite is essential for developers looking to build powerful and integrated experiences on the Stripe platform.