---
title: "Stripe Prerequisites"
description: "Stripe account, Customer Portal, and API key requirements before using the plugin."
url: "https://docs.customerportalplugin.com/getting-started/stripe-prerequisites/"
---
## Stripe account

You need an active [Stripe account](https://dashboard.stripe.com/register). The plugin uses your **Secret API key** to look up customers, create customers when allowed, and open Billing Portal sessions.

## Enable the Customer Portal

Stripe's Customer Portal must be enabled in your Dashboard:

1.  Log in to the [Stripe Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/).
2.  Go to **Settings → Billing → Customer portal** (or open [Customer portal settings](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/billing/portal) directly).
3.  Configure which actions customers can perform (update payment methods, cancel subscriptions, view invoices, etc.).
4.  Save your portal configuration.

![Stripe Dashboard — Customer portal settings](../../assets/images/stripe-customer-portal-settings-dashboard.png)

If the Customer Portal is not enabled, customers may see errors when they click the login link from your site.

## API keys

The plugin requires your **Secret key** (starts with `sk_test_` or `sk_live_`):

1.  In Stripe Dashboard, go to **Developers → API keys**.
2.  Copy the **Secret key** for the mode you want to use (Test or Live).
3.  Paste it into **Stripe Portal** settings in WordPress (see [Settings Reference](../../configuration/settings-reference/)).

Use **Test mode** keys while setting up. Switch to **Live** keys only when you are ready for real customers.

Never expose your Secret key in front-end code, public repos, or client-side JavaScript. The plugin stores it in WordPress options and masks it in the admin UI after save.

## Test vs Live mode

| Mode | Secret key prefix | Use when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Test | `sk_test_` | Development, staging, and QA |
| Live | `sk_live_` | Production site with real customers |

Test and Live data are separate in Stripe. Customers and portal sessions created in Test mode do not appear in Live mode.

## What customers can do in the portal

Once logged in, customers use **Stripe's hosted portal** (not WordPress) to manage billing according to your Dashboard settings. Typical options include:

*   View and download invoices
*   Update payment methods
*   Manage subscriptions (cancel, switch plans — if configured)
*   Update billing details

The exact options depend on how you configure the portal in Stripe.

## Next step

[Quick Setup›](../quick-setup/)