Test Mode

Test mode lets you build and test your integration without moving real money. Use test API keys (sk_test_...) and the test card numbers below to simulate any payment scenario.

Test card numbers

Successful payments

Card number	Brand	Description
4242 4242 4242 4242	Visa	Standard success
5555 5555 5555 4444	Mastercard	Standard success
3782 822463 10005	Amex	Standard success (4-digit CVC)

Declined payments

Card number	Decline reason	Error code
4000 0000 0000 9995	Insufficient funds	insufficient_funds
4000 0000 0000 0002	Generic decline	card_declined
4000 0000 0000 0069	Expired card	expired_card
4000 0000 0000 0127	Incorrect CVC	incorrect_cvc
4000 0000 0000 0119	Processing error	processing_error

3D Secure (authentication)

Card number	Behavior
4000 0025 0000 3155	Always requires authentication
4000 0027 6000 3184	Requires authentication only when 3DS is triggered
4000 0082 6000 3178	Authentication fails

Test bank accounts

For ACH and bank transfer testing, use these routing/account number combinations:

Routing number	Account number	Result
110000000	000123456789	Success
110000000	000111111113	Account not found
110000000	000111111116	NSF / failed

Test webhook events

Trigger test webhook events directly from the Dashboard (Developers → Webhooks → Send test event) or via the API:

curl https://api.meridian.dev/v1/test/webhook \
  -u sk_test_4eC39HqL...: \
  -d type=payment_intent.succeeded

Test clock (time simulation)

Use Test Clocks to simulate the passage of time for subscriptions and billing scenarios — advance a clock by days, months, or years without waiting.

const testClock = await meridian.testHelpers.testClocks.create({
  frozen_time: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000),
});

// Attach customer to clock
const customer = await meridian.customers.create({
  email: 'test@example.com',
  test_clock: testClock.id,
});

// Advance time 30 days to trigger renewal
await meridian.testHelpers.testClocks.advance(testClock.id, {
  frozen_time: testClock.frozen_time + (30 * 24 * 60 * 60),
});

Switching to live mode

When you're ready to accept real payments:

1. Replace sk_test_... with sk_live_... in your environment variables
2. Replace pk_test_... with pk_live_... in your frontend
3. Review the go-live checklist before deploying

warning

Never use live keys in development or staging environments.