# Getting Started

Source: https://docs.gocardless.com/docs/getting-started

# Getting Started

Follow this section to go from zero to a working GoCardless integration. Each guide builds on the previous one, taking you from account setup through to a production-ready payment flow.

## What you'll build

By the end of this section you will have a GoCardless sandbox account configured, have made your first authenticated API request, created a payment, set up webhook notifications to track payment events, and completed the steps required to go live.

> **Tip: Start in the sandbox**
> All guides in this section use the GoCardless sandbox environment. The sandbox is free, requires
>   no approval, and lets you test the full payment lifecycle without moving real money. You will
>   switch to the live environment in the Go-live Checklist.

## Guides

  
#### [Set Up](/docs/getting-started/set-up)

Create your GoCardless sandbox account, generate API credentials, and configure your development
    environment.

  
#### [Send Your First API Request](/docs/getting-started/send-your-first-api-request)

Authenticate with the GoCardless API and make your first request using your sandbox credentials.

  
#### [Create a Payment](/docs/getting-started/create-a-payment)

Create a customer, set up a mandate, and collect a one-off or recurring bank payment end to end.

  
#### [Stay Up to Date with Webhooks](/docs/getting-started/stay-up-to-date-with-webhooks)

Subscribe to payment events and handle webhook notifications to keep your system in sync with
    GoCardless.

  
#### [Go-live Checklist](/docs/getting-started/go-live-checklist)

Review the requirements and complete the steps needed to move your integration from sandbox to
    production.