---
url: /cashfree-acellemail/guides/get-api-keys.md
description: >-
  Copy your Cashfree App ID (x-client-id) and Secret Key (x-client-secret) from
  the Cashfree Merchant Dashboard, and pair TEST or production keys with the
  Sandbox toggle.
---

# Get your API keys

Both Cashfree gateways in AcelleMail — **Cashfree** (one-time) and **Cashfree Subscription** — share
one pair of credentials: your **App ID** and **Secret Key**. You copy them from the Cashfree Merchant
Dashboard and paste them into Plugin Settings once. This guide shows you exactly where they live and
how the TEST-vs-production choice lines up with the **Sandbox** toggle.

## Step 1 — Open the API Keys page

Log in to the **Cashfree Merchant Dashboard** at [merchant.cashfree.com](https://merchant.cashfree.com),
then go to **Developers → API Keys**. You'll see two credentials:

* **App ID** — sent as `x-client-id`
* **Secret Key** — sent as `x-client-secret`

![The Cashfree API Keys page](/cashfree-acellemail/img/cashfree-get-api-keys-dashboard.png)
*Cashfree Dashboard → Developers → API Keys*

## Step 2 — TEST keys vs production keys

Cashfree issues two sets of keys, and they are **not** interchangeable:

* **Test keys** — the App ID begins with `TEST`. Use these while you are still trying things out.
* **Production keys** — your live App ID and Secret Key, used for real money.

::: info The Sandbox toggle picks the environment, not the key format
In Plugin Settings the **Sandbox mode** checkbox chooses which Cashfree environment the plugin talks
to — it is **not** inferred from the key. Always pair them:

* **Test keys** (App ID begins `TEST`) → **Sandbox ticked** (uses `https://sandbox.cashfree.com/pg`).
* **Production keys** → **Sandbox unticked** (live environment).

Mixing them (e.g. production keys with Sandbox ticked) causes an `authentication Failed` error from
Cashfree.
:::

## Step 3 — Paste them into AcelleMail

Go to **Admin → Plugins → Cashfree → Settings** and, under **Service Configuration**, fill in:

* **App ID (x-client-id)** — from the value shown as `x-client-id`.
* **Secret Key (x-client-secret)** — from the value shown as `x-client-secret`.

Tick **Sandbox mode** if you pasted TEST keys, then click **Save Settings**. That's all both gateways
need to authenticate.

## Related pages

* [Configure webhooks](/cashfree-acellemail/guides/configure-webhooks)
* [Set up subscriptions](/cashfree-acellemail/guides/set-up-subscriptions)
* [Going live](/cashfree-acellemail/guides/going-live)
* [Settings reference](/cashfree-acellemail/settings)
* [Configuration](/cashfree-acellemail/configuration)