> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.coinflow.cash/guides/getting-started/account-setup/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.coinflow.cash/_mcp/server.

# Account Setup

This page lists the foundational prerequisites that apply to every Coinflow
integration. **Complete these steps once before integrating any product.**
Each individual integration guide assumes these are done.

## Foundational steps (every integration)

#### Create a sandbox merchant account

[Register a new sandbox merchant account](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/register) or
[log in to an existing one](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/login).

#### Create a sandbox API key

Generate your sandbox API key from the
[API Keys page](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/api-keys). You'll
pass this in the `Authorization` header of every API request.

#### Invite your team

[Add team members](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/users-and-roles)
to your sandbox account so engineering, finance, and ops have the access
they need.

---

## Additional steps for Checkout integrations

If you're integrating any [Checkout products](/guides/product-overview/products-features#pay-in-methods), complete these steps too:

#### Configure your settlement destination

From your [merchant dashboard](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/settings),
choose where Coinflow delivers your collected revenue:

* [Coinflow Wallet](/guides/checkout/settlement-locations/settlement-to-coinflow-wallet) (recommended and easiest) for *all* merchant types.

> **Info**
>
> **Want automatic settlement to your bank account?** Coinflow settles to your Coinflow Wallet first, then automatically sends your balance to your bank account each day. [Learn how to set it up →](/guides/checkout/settlement-locations/settlement-to-coinflow-wallet#bank-settlement)

#### Advanced: settle to wallets or contracts you control

If you operate your own treasury infrastructure, Coinflow can settle directly to destinations you control. See the [advanced settlement guides](/guides/checkout/settlement-locations) for details.

#### Add the chargeback protection script

Add the [chargeback protection script](/guides/checkout/payment-security-risk-management/fraud-protection/implement-chargeback-protection#how-to-add-chargeback-protection)
to every page of your app. This is required for fraud detection and is a
prerequisite for collecting payer events.

---

## Additional steps for Payouts from the Coinflow Wallet

If you're paying users out from your Coinflow Wallet balance, you'll also need to:

#### Configure your Coinflow Wallet

Set up your Coinflow Wallet from the
[Settings page](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/settings).

#### Fund your Coinflow Wallet

Add funds to your Coinflow Wallet using the
[sandbox faucet](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/faucet). Contact [support@coinflowlabs.app](mailto:support@coinflowlabs.app) if you need assistance.

---

## Authorization headers

Every Coinflow API request uses these headers. Most integration guides
reference them. Bookmark this section for quick lookup:
**Authorization Headers:**

* `Authorization` — Your API key from the [merchant dashboard](https://sandbox-merchant.coinflow.cash/api-keys).
* `x-coinflow-auth-user-id` — A unique customer ID from your own systems identifying the payer or payee.
* `x-coinflow-auth-session-key` — A JWT that authorizes the payer. Valid for 24 hours; refresh after expiry.

---

## What's next

Once setup is complete, jump into the integration guide for your product:

#### [Checkout](/guides/checkout/implementation-overview/getting-started-with-implementation)

Accept payments from your customers globally.

#### [Payouts](/guides/payouts/payout-overview)

Pay out your users globally.

#### [Subscriptions](/guides/subscriptions/subscriptions-overview#choose-your-implementation-approach)

Recurring billing for subscriptions.

#### [Marketplaces](/guides/marketplaces/marketplaces-implementation/implementing-marketplaces)

Multi-seller payments, split payments and fees, and seller payouts.