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

# Sandbox

The Monirates sandbox environment lets you integrate and test the API safely. All transactions in sandbox are **simulated** and carry no real-world value — no actual money moves.

***

## Getting a Sandbox API Key

1. Visit the sandbox portal at [dev.business.monirates.com](https://dev.business.monirates.com).
2. Sign up or log in to your account.
3. Navigate to the **Settings** section of your dashboard.
4. Create or copy your **sandbox API key**.

<Warning>
  Keep your sandbox API key secure. Never commit it to version control — use environment variables instead.
</Warning>

***

## Sandbox Base URL

All sandbox requests go to:

```text theme={null}
https://dev.interface.monirates.com
```

Pass your sandbox API key in the `x-api-key` header, same as production.

### Example Request

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl https://dev.interface.monirates.com/your-endpoint \
    -H "x-api-key: YOUR_SANDBOX_API_KEY" \
    -H "Accept: application/json"
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const response = await fetch("https://dev.interface.monirates.com/your-endpoint", {
    headers: {
      "x-api-key": process.env.MONIRATES_SANDBOX_API_KEY,
      "Accept": "application/json",
    },
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  ```

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

  response = requests.get(
      "https://dev.interface.monirates.com/your-endpoint",
      headers={
          "x-api-key": "YOUR_SANDBOX_API_KEY",
          "Accept": "application/json",
      },
  )

  print(response.json())
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

## Sandbox vs. Production

| Feature          | Sandbox                               | Production                        |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Base URL**     | `https://dev.interface.monirates.com` | `https://interface.monirates.com` |
| **Portal**       | `dev.business.monirates.com`          | `business.monirates.com`          |
| **Transactions** | Simulated — no real money             | Live — real money movement        |
| **Onboarding**   | Streamlined for testing               | Full compliance review            |

***

## Transitioning to Production

When you're ready to go live:

1. Log in to the production portal at [business.monirates.com](https://business.monirates.com).
2. Generate your **production API key** from the Settings section.
3. Update your environment variables to use the production key.
4. Switch your base URL to `https://interface.monirates.com`.
5. Start with small live transactions to verify everything works before scaling volume.

<Warning>
  Never use your sandbox API key in production or your production key for sandbox testing. Keys are environment-specific and are **not interchangeable**.
</Warning>