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

# Launch your platform

> Move a Connect integration from test mode to live payments for your merchants.

[Test mode and live mode](/concepts/key-concepts#test-mode-and-live-mode) are separate for platforms just as they are for
merchants. Connections, customers, keys, domains, webhook endpoints, and object
IDs exist in one mode only, so a launch recreates your live configuration and
verifies each flow your merchants will use. Complete the steps every
integration shares in [Going live](/guides/going-live) as well.

## Launch checklist

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prove each flow in test mode">
    Run every flow your platform offers against a connected test merchant:
    onboarding, payments, saved cards, refunds, and webhook handling. Test
    configurations use **Connect only**, so a test merchant can take test
    payments as soon as it agrees to connect. See
    [Start in test mode](/guides/hosted-account-links#start-in-test-mode).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a live onboarding configuration">
    In **Connect → Onboarding → Links**, create a live configuration with
    **Connect + live application**, a pricing plan, and the permissions your
    flows need. Live return URLs use HTTPS on a domain listed under
    **Connect → Domains**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create live platform keys">
    In **Connect → API keys**, create live keys with the same permissions as
    your test keys. Keep the secret key in your secret manager. Only the
    publishable key belongs in the browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register live payment domains and wallets">
    Register each payment website under **Connect → Domains** in live mode,
    and enable Apple Pay or Google Pay for each live domain your pages use. See [Platform payment domains](/guides/platform-payment-domains) and
    [Wallet setup for platforms](/guides/platform-wallets).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register live platform webhook endpoints">
    Create your connected-accounts endpoint again with a live platform key and
    store its new signing secret. See [Webhooks for platforms](/guides/connect-webhooks).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Onboard live merchants">
    Each merchant completes the live application. Wait for
    `payments_enabled` before taking live payments for that merchant. See
    [Know when payments are enabled](/guides/hosted-account-links#4-know-when-payments-are-enabled).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify with real transactions">
    For one live merchant, run a real, low-value payment, confirm it, and
    refund it. Before recording saved cards, verify one live SetupIntent for
    the intended merchant and customer. Run acceptance testing on an
    Ionic-assigned physical test terminal before a merchant uses production
    hardware.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What changes for each merchant

Each receiving merchant needs an active live connection that grants the
permissions your integration uses. Live requests use the merchant's live
customer and payment IDs. Match `event.account` on every live webhook event to
the merchant stored with the payment. See
[Launching a Connect integration](/guides/going-live#launching-a-connect-integration).

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Read the full go-live guide" icon="rocket" href="/guides/going-live">
    Follow every launch step for Ionic accounts and Connect integrations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use test cards" icon="credit-card" href="/guides/test-cards">
    Rehearse approvals and declines before live traffic.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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