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

# Checkout Flow

> How your customers complete purchases

## Checkout Overview

Waffo Pancake uses a **two-step checkout flow** optimized for conversion. This design collects customer details first, then payment information, reducing abandonment and supporting accurate tax calculation.

## Two Ways to Check Out

Waffo Pancake supports two checkout methods — choose the one that fits your use case:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Product Purchase Link" icon="link">
    **Permanent link** — never expires, stays valid even when you update the product.

    * Best for: sharing on websites, social media, email
    * No code required
  </Card>

  <Card title="Checkout Session (API)" icon="code">
    **Dynamic link** — created via API with custom parameters.

    * Best for: custom checkout flows, dynamic pricing, metadata
    * 45-minute default TTL (configurable up to 7 days)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Product Purchase Links

Every product gets a permanent purchase link:

```
https://checkout.waffo.ai/{store-slug}/{product-slug}
```

Test mode:

```
https://checkout.waffo.ai/{store-slug}/{product-slug}/test
```

A checkout session is created automatically when the customer opens the link. Just click "Copy Link" in the Dashboard.

### Checkout Sessions (API)

For advanced use cases, create a checkout session via the API:

```bash theme={"system"}
POST /v1/actions/checkout/create-session
```

### Authenticated vs Anonymous Checkout

When creating sessions via the API, you can choose between two modes:

* **Authenticated**: Provide `buyerIdentity` to bind orders to a stable identifier. Pre-fills the checkout form and enables post-purchase self-service.
* **Anonymous**: No identity required. Buyer fills in details manually. Suitable for shared links and template stores.

<Warning>
  Authenticated checkout is strongly recommended when you know the buyer. See [SDK Checkout Modes](/integrate/sdks#checkout-modes) for details.
</Warning>

The resulting checkout URL follows this structure:

```
https://checkout.waffo.ai/{store-slug}/checkout/{sessionId}
```

| Component    | Description                                                                    |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `store-slug` | Your store's unique URL slug                                                   |
| `sessionId`  | Checkout session identifier (default 45-minute TTL, configurable up to 7 days) |

<Note>
  Checkout sessions are generated server-side and lock the product version and price at creation time.
</Note>

## Two-Step Checkout Flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Consumer Details" icon="user">
    Collect email, country, and billing info for tax calculation and order processing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Payment" icon="credit-card">
    Enter card details or use Apple Pay / Google Pay to complete payment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/waffo/fAGQ8sa2qycWEk2d/images/checkout/checkout-step1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=fAGQ8sa2qycWEk2d&q=85&s=e7454a2c64f08d42fe0fa1ac4084b712" alt="Checkout page — Consumer details" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/checkout/checkout-step1.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Step 1: Consumer Details

The first step collects information needed for tax calculation and order processing.

### Required Fields

| Field         | Purpose                                           |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Email address | Receipt, account creation, Customer Portal access |
| Country       | Tax jurisdiction determination                    |

### Conditional Fields (Based on Country)

| Field           | When Required                              |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| ZIP/Postal Code | US, CA, UK, and most countries             |
| State/Province  | US, CA, AU, IN                             |
| City            | EU countries (for VAT)                     |
| Street Address  | EU countries (full address for compliance) |

### Business Purchase Option

Customers can toggle "I'm purchasing as a business" to provide:

* Business name
* Full billing address
* Tax ID (optional, for VAT exemption)

<Note>
  EU tax compliance requires full address for accurate VAT calculation and invoicing.
</Note>

***

## Step 2: Payment

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/waffo/YbM_n4_eoBfrCsTT/images/checkout/checkout-step2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=YbM_n4_eoBfrCsTT&q=85&s=e424a83d42c68d5946214be7f18cbbb7" alt="Checkout — Payment" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/checkout/checkout-step2.png" />
</Frame>

The second step collects payment information.

### Payment Methods

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Card Payment" icon="credit-card">
    * Card number
    * Expiry date (MM/YY)
    * CVC/CVV
    * Cardholder name
  </Card>

  <Card title="Digital Wallets" icon="wallet">
    * Apple Pay (iOS, Safari)
    * Google Pay (Android, Chrome)
    * One-click with biometric auth
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Order Summary

Displayed alongside payment form:

| Element       | Description                     |
| ------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Product name  | What customer is buying         |
| Product image | Visual confirmation             |
| Subtotal      | Product price                   |
| Tax           | Calculated from Step 1 location |
| Total         | Final amount to charge          |

### Terms Agreement

Customer must agree to terms before completing purchase. Links to:

* Terms of Service
* Privacy Policy
* Merchant of Record disclosure

***

## Processing

After payment submission:

1. **Card validation** - Luhn check, expiry, CVC
2. **3D Secure** - Bank verification (if required)
3. **Fraud check** - Risk assessment
4. **Authorization** - Charge to card
5. **Order creation** - Record in system

Customer sees:

* Animated loading indicator
* "Processing your payment" message
* Real-time status updates

***

## Result Pages

### Success Page

On successful payment:

* Order confirmation number
* "Receipt sent to your email" message
* Next steps or access instructions
* Customer Portal link

### Failed Page

On payment failure:

* Clear error explanation
* Suggested action
* Retry button
* Support contact option

***

## Subscription Checkout

For subscription products, additional information displays:

### Billing Preview

| Element           | Example               |
| ----------------- | --------------------- |
| Billing frequency | "Billed monthly"      |
| Recurring amount  | "\$29.00/month"       |
| Next billing date | Calculated from today |

### Trial Information (if enabled)

| Element           | Example               |
| ----------------- | --------------------- |
| Trial duration    | "7-day free trial"    |
| First charge date | Date after trial ends |
| Cancel anytime    | Reassurance message   |

***

## Multi-Language Support

Checkout follows the shopper's browser language automatically, across 19 languages:

| Language              | Code      | Language   | Code |
| --------------------- | --------- | ---------- | ---- |
| English               | `en`      | Italian    | `it` |
| Chinese (Simplified)  | `zh`      | Russian    | `ru` |
| Chinese (Traditional) | `zh-Hant` | Arabic     | `ar` |
| Japanese              | `ja`      | Hindi      | `hi` |
| Korean                | `ko`      | Thai       | `th` |
| German                | `de`      | Vietnamese | `vi` |
| French                | `fr`      | Indonesian | `id` |
| Spanish               | `es`      | Dutch      | `nl` |
| Portuguese            | `pt`      | Polish     | `pl` |
|                       |           | Turkish    | `tr` |

Unsupported languages fall back to English. Shoppers can also switch languages from the selector in the checkout footer, and the payment page opens in whichever language they were using when they clicked Pay.

See [Checkout Language](/features/checkout#checkout-language) for details.

***

## Test Checkout

Use Test Mode to try the checkout flow without real charges.

### Test Card Numbers

| Card              | Number                | Result   |
| ----------------- | --------------------- | -------- |
| Visa Credit       | `4576 7500 0000 0110` | Success  |
| Mastercard Credit | `2226 9000 0000 0110` | Success  |
| Visa Debit        | `4001 7000 0000 0110` | Success  |
| Mastercard Debit  | `2226 9300 0000 0110` | Success  |
| Visa Credit       | `4576 7500 0000 0220` | Declined |
| Mastercard Credit | `2226 9000 0000 0220` | Declined |

Any future expiry date and any 3-digit CVC will work.

<Note>
  Test mode is indicated by a banner: "Test Mode - No real charges will be made"
</Note>

***

## Error Handling

### Common Payment Errors

| Error         | Cause                            | Customer Action    |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------ |
| Card declined | Insufficient funds or bank block | Try different card |
| Invalid card  | Incorrect card number            | Check and re-enter |
| Expired card  | Card past expiration             | Use valid card     |
| CVC mismatch  | Wrong security code              | Re-enter CVC       |
| 3DS failed    | Bank verification failed         | Contact bank       |

### Error Display

Error messages are:

* Clear and actionable
* Non-technical language
* Include helpful next steps
* Do not expose sensitive data

***

## Checkout Security

### Product Purchase Links

* Link is permanent and public — no sensitive data is embedded
* A fresh checkout session is created server-side each time a customer opens the link
* Product version and pricing are resolved at the moment of access

### Checkout Sessions (API)

* Sessions lock the product version and price snapshot at creation time
* Sessions include a cryptographic signature and cannot be tampered with
* Sessions expire after 45 minutes by default (configurable up to 7 days via `expiresInSeconds`)

<Warning>
  Checkout sessions expire after 45 minutes by default. Use `expiresInSeconds` to extend up to 7 days. Customers must start a new session after expiration.
</Warning>

***

## Merchant of Record Notice

At checkout footer, customers see:

> "This order is processed by our online reseller & Merchant of Record, Waffo Pancake, who also handles order-related inquiries and returns."

This disclosure is required for MoR compliance and helps customers understand the payment relationship.

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Payment Methods" icon="credit-card" href="/payments/methods">
    Supported cards and wallets
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customization" icon="palette" href="/features/checkout">
    Brand your checkout experience
  </Card>
</CardGroup>