Quick Start

This page gets you from installed plugin to one successful test checkout without touching live money. Read Requirements if PHP 8.2 or J2Commerce v6 is uncertain on your host.

What do I need before install?

Confirm Joomla 4, 5, or 6 with PHP 8.2 or newer and J2Commerce checkout working with at least a test product. Create or open your Stripe account and generate test publishable and secret keys. Plan a webhook endpoint in Stripe Dashboard; you will paste the signing secret after the plugin is installed.

How do I install the payment plugin?

Open System, Install Extensions, and upload plg_j2commerce_payment_stripe_rca version 2.0.0 or newer. Open J2Commerce payment plugins or filter Extensions to the J2Commerce group and open Stripe for J2Commerce.

What is the minimum config for sandbox checkout?

Paste test publishable and test secret keys into the test key fields. Enable Test mode, labeled sandbox in plugin parameters. Set Display name and optional display image if your shop shows payment icons at checkout. Leave debug logging off unless you are actively troubleshooting. Enable and publish the payment plugin in J2Commerce payment method assignment for your storefront profile. Save.

How do I run one test order?

Add a test product to cart on the storefront, proceed to checkout, choose Pay with Stripe or whatever display name you set, and complete payment on Stripe hosted Checkout using test card 4242 4242 4242 4242 with any future expiry and any CVC. Confirm the order returns to J2Commerce with paid or your chosen status.

When do I add webhooks?

Configure webhooks before you rely on async payment methods or before you go live, because some confirmations depend on signed webhook delivery. Create an endpoint in Stripe Dashboard using the URL pattern shown in plugin webhook guidance, subscribe to checkout.session.completed, checkout.session.async_payment_succeeded, and checkout.session.async_payment_failed, then paste the signing secret into plugin options and Save.

When do I switch to live?

Disable test mode, paste live publishable and secret keys, confirm webhook signing secret matches the live endpoint, run one small live charge you can refund, then monitor Stripe Dashboard event delivery. Turning test mode off while live keys are still test keys is a classic way to collect exactly zero dollars.