- How do I install the Stripe PHP SDK in a Laravel project?
- Run `composer require stripe/stripe-php` to install via Composer. Laravel’s autoloader will handle the rest—no manual includes are needed. For non-Composer setups, download the SDK and include `init.php` manually.
- What Laravel versions does the Stripe PHP SDK support?
- The SDK works with Laravel 5.5+ (PHP 7.2+ required). While PHP 7.2/7.3 are technically supported, Stripe recommends upgrading to PHP 8.x for security and performance. Laravel 8/9/10 are fully compatible.
- How do I securely store Stripe API keys in Laravel?
- Use Laravel’s `.env` file to store keys (e.g., `STRIPE_KEY=sk_test_...`). Bind the `StripeClient` in a service provider to inject the key dynamically. Avoid hardcoding keys in config files or code.
- Can I use the SDK with Laravel’s service container?
- Yes. Bind the `StripeClient` as a singleton in a service provider (e.g., `AppServiceProvider`) to reuse the client across requests. For multi-tenancy, bind it contextually (e.g., per-request) using Laravel’s container.
- How do I handle Stripe webhooks in Laravel?
- Use Laravel’s middleware (`VerifyWebhookSignature`) to validate signatures. Route webhooks to a controller or queue job (e.g., `Route::post('/stripe/webhook', [StripeWebhookController::class, 'handle'])`). For async processing, dispatch jobs to Laravel’s queue.
- What’s the best way to test Stripe integrations in Laravel?
- Mock Stripe responses with Laravel’s `Http::fake()` or `stripe-mock` for unit tests. For webhook tests, verify signatures using `VerifyWebhookSignature` middleware. Avoid hitting Stripe’s live API during CI/CD.
- How do I optimize performance for high-traffic Laravel apps?
- Disable telemetry with `Stripe::setEnableTelemetry(false)` if unused. Cache Laravel’s config (`php artisan config:cache`) to reduce API key lookups. For batch operations, use Stripe’s batch endpoints or Laravel’s queue workers.
- Are there Laravel-specific abstractions for the Stripe SDK?
- Yes. Create a facade (e.g., `PaymentFacade`) or service class to wrap SDK calls (e.g., `PaymentService::createCustomer()`). This improves testability and decouples your app from the SDK’s internals.
- How do I handle Stripe errors in Laravel?
- Extend Laravel’s `HttpException` or create a custom `StripeException` class to map Stripe errors (e.g., `invalid_request_error`) to Laravel’s exception hierarchy. Use try-catch blocks around SDK calls for graceful error handling.
- What are the alternatives to the Stripe PHP SDK for Laravel?
- For lightweight needs, consider `spatie/laravel-stripe` (a Laravel wrapper). For custom HTTP clients, use Guzzle or Symfony’s HTTP client with the SDK’s raw API calls. However, the official SDK is the most maintained and feature-complete option.