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

# Environments

> Learn about the different environments available in Smartbills API for testing and production

## Environments

Smartbills provides two distinct environments to help you develop and test your integration before going live.

## Available Environments

### Production Environment

The production environment is where your live application runs and processes real transactions.

**Base URL:** `https://api.smartbills.io`

<Note>
  Production API keys are only enabled once your application has been approved by our team.
</Note>

### Pre-Production (Sandbox) Environment

The pre-production environment is a safe space to develop and test your integration without affecting real data.

**Base URL:** `https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io`

<Info>
  All developer accounts have immediate access to the pre-production environment.
</Info>

## Key Differences

| Feature         | Production              | Pre-Production              |
| --------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Base URL**    | `api.smartbills.io`     | `sandbox-api.smartbills.io` |
| **Data**        | Real customer data      | Test data only              |
| **API Keys**    | Requires approval       | Available immediately       |
| **Rate Limits** | Standard limits apply   | More lenient limits         |
| **Webhooks**    | Sent to production URLs | Sent to test URLs           |

## Using Different Environments

You can switch between environments by changing the base URL in your API requests:

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  // Production
  const PROD_URL = 'https://api.smartbills.io';

  // Pre-Production
  const SANDBOX_URL = 'https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io';

  // Use environment variable
  const BASE_URL = process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' 
    ? PROD_URL 
    : SANDBOX_URL;

  const response = await fetch(`${BASE_URL}/v1/expenses`, {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${API_KEY}`
    }
  });
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import os

  # Production
  PROD_URL = 'https://api.smartbills.io'

  # Pre-Production
  SANDBOX_URL = 'https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io'

  # Use environment variable
  BASE_URL = PROD_URL if os.getenv('ENV') == 'production' else SANDBOX_URL

  response = requests.get(
      f'{BASE_URL}/v1/expenses',
      headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {API_KEY}'}
  )
  ```

  ```csharp C# theme={null}
  // Production
  const string PROD_URL = "https://api.smartbills.io";

  // Pre-Production
  const string SANDBOX_URL = "https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io";

  // Use environment variable
  var baseUrl = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ENV") == "production" 
      ? PROD_URL 
      : SANDBOX_URL;

  var response = await client.GetAsync($"{baseUrl}/v1/expenses");
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use Environment Variables" icon="gear">
    Store your API keys and base URLs as environment variables to easily switch between environments.

    ```bash theme={null}
    # .env.development
    SMARTBILLS_API_URL=https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io
    SMARTBILLS_API_KEY=your_SANDBOX_key

    # .env.production
    SMARTBILLS_API_URL=https://api.smartbills.io
    SMARTBILLS_API_KEY=your_prod_key
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test Thoroughly in Pre-Production" icon="flask">
    Always test your integration thoroughly in the pre-production environment before deploying to production.

    * Test all API endpoints
    * Verify error handling
    * Test webhook delivery
    * Validate data formats
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep Separate API Keys" icon="key">
    Use different API keys for each environment and never use production keys in development.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitor Both Environments" icon="chart-line">
    Set up monitoring and logging for both environments to catch issues early.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Getting Access

### Pre-Production Access

1. Create a Smartbills account at [smartbills.io](https://smartbills.io)
2. Visit the [developer portal](https://developers.smartbills.io)
3. Create a new application
4. Your pre-production API keys will be generated immediately

### Production Access

1. Complete your integration in pre-production
2. Submit your application for review
3. Our team will review your integration
4. Once approved, your production API keys will be activated

<Warning>
  Production API keys will only work with the production base URL (`api.smartbills.io`). Using production keys with the pre-production URL will result in authentication errors.
</Warning>

## Data Isolation

Data between environments is completely isolated:

* Users created in pre-production do not exist in production
* Receipts and transactions are environment-specific
* Webhooks are sent to different endpoints per environment

This ensures that your testing activities never affect your production data or users.