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

# Environments

> Understand how to test safely in sandbox and go live confidently in production.

**meCash** provides two isolated environments so you can build, test, and launch without risk. Use the sandbox for iterative development and only switch to production once your flows are certified.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mecash-0665cec5/H_hUmb3YfBy7zGPd/public/images/enviroments.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=H_hUmb3YfBy7zGPd&q=85&s=4ed44c5f0594c53488d63292ee4548d9" alt="Dashboard toggle for switching between sandbox and production environments" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1440" height="120" data-path="public/images/enviroments.png" />
</Frame>

***

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sandbox" icon="flask">
    `https://sandboxapi.me-cash.com`\
    Simulated money movement, ideal for integration testing and demos.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Production" icon="rocket">
    `https://api.me-cash.com`\
    Processes real transactions once your business is approved.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Sandbox environment

The sandbox mirrors live behavior while keeping funds virtual—perfect for prototyping and QA.

* **Authentication:** Use your sandbox API keys from the dashboard.
* **Webhooks & events:** All endpoints fire test payloads so you can validate handlers.
* **Data reset:** Wallet balances and transactions are synthetic and may reset periodically.

**How to access**

1. [Create your business account](/account-creation).
2. Follow the [Quickstart](/quickstart) to generate sandbox keys.
3. Whitelist the IPs that will call the API via [/ip-whitelisting](/ip-whitelisting).

<Tip>
  Keep development strictly in sandbox until you have end‑to‑end tests, webhook verification, and monitoring in place.
</Tip>

## Production environment

Production is where your customers experience real payouts, collections, and settlements.

* **Base URL:** `https://api.me-cash.com`.
* **Traffic:** Real money movement with full compliance monitoring.
* **Rate limits:** Higher throughput tiers are available on request—contact support with your projected volumes.
* **API keys:** Issued separately from sandbox; never reuse test keys in production.

**Access prerequisites**

1. Complete KYB.
2. Finish smoke testing in sandbox, including webhook verification.
3. Request production keys from the dashboard or by emailing [support@me-cash.com](mailto:support@me-cash.com).
4. Whitelist the production IP addresses that will originate live traffic.

<Note>
  Keep production credentials in a secure secrets manager. Rotate keys regularly and remove unused IP addresses to minimize attack surface.
</Note>

## Best practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Deployment workflow" icon="code">
    1. Build and test in sandbox.
    2. Run automated contract and webhook tests.
    3. Perform a supervised pilot in production.
    4. Monitor logs and metrics continuously.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Environment hygiene" icon="key">
    * Maintain separate API keys and IP whitelists.
    * Document every environment change.
    * Use feature flags to control rollout.
    * Set alerts for 4XX/5XX spikes.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Need help?

* Jump to the [Quickstart](/quickstart) for a guided setup.
* Review the [API Reference](/api-reference) for endpoint specifics.
* Reach out to [support@me-cash.com](mailto:support@me-cash.com) if you need higher limits or additional environments.