- How do I integrate the Stripe PHP SDK into a Laravel application?
- Install via Composer with `composer require stripe/stripe-php`, then bind the `StripeClient` to Laravel’s service container in a provider. Use the `StripeClient` class (v7.33.0+) for modern Laravel service patterns, or wrap legacy `Stripe::setApiKey()` calls in a service layer for better testability.
- What’s the best way to handle Stripe webhooks in Laravel?
- Use Laravel middleware to validate Stripe signatures, then dispatch events or queue jobs for processing. For example, create a `StripeWebhookMiddleware` to verify signatures, then handle events in a `StripeWebhookHandler` class. Always use `Webhook::constructEvent()` for validation.
- Does the Stripe PHP SDK support Laravel’s dependency injection?
- Yes. Register the `StripeClient` as a singleton in your service provider (e.g., `app[StripeClient] = fn() => new StripeClient(config('stripe.key'))`). This enables loose coupling and easy mocking in tests. Avoid instantiating `StripeClient` directly in controllers.
- How do I mock Stripe API responses in Laravel tests?
- Use Laravel’s `Http::fake()` to mock HTTP responses for Stripe API calls. For webhook testing, simulate payloads with `Webhook::constructEvent()` and validate signatures. Libraries like `stripe-mock` can also help simulate Stripe API responses locally.
- What Laravel versions and PHP versions does the Stripe PHP SDK support?
- The SDK supports PHP 7.2+ (though 7.2/7.3 are being phased out). For Laravel, it works with all modern versions (LTS 8.x, 9.x, 10.x). Always pin a specific SDK version in `composer.json` (e.g., `^16.0`) to avoid unexpected breaking changes during upgrades.
- How can I optimize Stripe API performance in Laravel?
- Cache frequent Stripe API calls (e.g., customer details) using Laravel’s cache layer or Redis. Configure `CurlClient` timeouts (e.g., 10s for connect, 30s for total) in production to prevent hanging requests. Offload long-running operations (e.g., refunds) to Laravel queues.
- What’s the difference between the legacy `Stripe::setApiKey()` and the modern `StripeClient`?
- The legacy `Stripe::setApiKey()` is a global static method, which can lead to tight coupling and testing difficulties. The modern `StripeClient` (introduced in v7.33.0) is an instantiable class that works better with Laravel’s service container and dependency injection. Migrate by replacing static calls with a service-bound `StripeClient`.
- How do I store Stripe customer/subscription data in Laravel’s database?
- Add columns like `stripe_customer_id` (string) and `stripe_subscription_status` (enum) to your Eloquent models. Use observers or jobs to sync Stripe data with your database. For example, create a `StripeCustomerObserver` to update local records when Stripe webhooks trigger events.
- Are there security best practices for using Stripe in Laravel?
- Store `STRIPE_SECRET_KEY` and `STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET` in Laravel’s `.env` file. Always validate webhook signatures using `Webhook::constructEvent()`. Use Stripe’s idempotency keys for critical operations (e.g., charges) to prevent duplicate processing. Avoid logging sensitive Stripe data.
- What alternatives exist for Stripe integration in Laravel?
- For Laravel, the official `stripe/stripe-php` SDK is the most robust option. Alternatives include custom HTTP clients (e.g., Guzzle) for direct API calls, but these lack Stripe’s built-in resource classes and webhook validation. Libraries like `laravel-cashier` (for subscriptions) are higher-level but depend on the Stripe SDK.