# Environments

The Monato Direct Debit Platform provides two environments: **sandbox** for development and testing, and **production** for live operations.

## Sandbox

Use the sandbox environment to build and test your integration without processing real charges. The sandbox mirrors the production API surface and behaviour, including webhook delivery.

| Property | Value |
|  --- | --- |
| Base URL | `https://sandbox.directdebit.monato.com` |
| API Keys | Generated self-service via the Portal (Settings → API Keys) |
| Charges | Not real — no funds are moved |
| Webhooks | Delivered to your configured endpoint |


Sandbox API keys are generated instantly from the Portal with no approval required.

## Production

The production environment processes real charges against live bank accounts.

| Property | Value |
|  --- | --- |
| Base URL | `https://directdebit.monato.com` |
| API Keys | Generated self-service via the Portal (Settings → API Keys) |
| Charges | Live — real funds are collected |
| Webhooks | Delivered to your configured endpoint |


Production API keys are also generated self-service from the Portal with no approval required.

## Switching Environments

To switch between environments, change the base URL and use the corresponding API key. No other changes to your integration are needed — the request and response structure is identical across both environments.

:::warning
Never use production API keys in your development or staging environments, and never submit test charges against production.
:::