Agent skill

paypal-integration

Integrate PayPal payment processing with support for express checkout, subscriptions, and refund management. Use when implementing PayPal payments, processing online transactions, or building e-commerce checkout flows.

Stars 152
Forks 20

Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/Microck/ordinary-claude-skills/tree/main/skills_all/paypal-integration

SKILL.md

PayPal Integration

Master PayPal payment integration including Express Checkout, IPN handling, recurring billing, and refund workflows.

When to Use This Skill

  • Integrating PayPal as a payment option
  • Implementing express checkout flows
  • Setting up recurring billing with PayPal
  • Processing refunds and payment disputes
  • Handling PayPal webhooks (IPN)
  • Supporting international payments
  • Implementing PayPal subscriptions

Core Concepts

1. Payment Products

PayPal Checkout

  • One-time payments
  • Express checkout experience
  • Guest and PayPal account payments

PayPal Subscriptions

  • Recurring billing
  • Subscription plans
  • Automatic renewals

PayPal Payouts

  • Send money to multiple recipients
  • Marketplace and platform payments

2. Integration Methods

Client-Side (JavaScript SDK)

  • Smart Payment Buttons
  • Hosted payment flow
  • Minimal backend code

Server-Side (REST API)

  • Full control over payment flow
  • Custom checkout UI
  • Advanced features

3. IPN (Instant Payment Notification)

  • Webhook-like payment notifications
  • Asynchronous payment updates
  • Verification required

Quick Start

javascript
// Frontend - PayPal Smart Buttons
<div id="paypal-button-container"></div>

<script src="https://www.paypal.com/sdk/js?client-id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&currency=USD"></script>
<script>
  paypal.Buttons({
    createOrder: function(data, actions) {
      return actions.order.create({
        purchase_units: [{
          amount: {
            value: '25.00'
          }
        }]
      });
    },
    onApprove: function(data, actions) {
      return actions.order.capture().then(function(details) {
        // Payment successful
        console.log('Transaction completed by ' + details.payer.name.given_name);

        // Send to backend for verification
        fetch('/api/paypal/capture', {
          method: 'POST',
          headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
          body: JSON.stringify({orderID: data.orderID})
        });
      });
    }
  }).render('#paypal-button-container');
</script>
python
# Backend - Verify and capture order
from paypalrestsdk import Payment
import paypalrestsdk

paypalrestsdk.configure({
    "mode": "sandbox",  # or "live"
    "client_id": "YOUR_CLIENT_ID",
    "client_secret": "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET"
})

def capture_paypal_order(order_id):
    """Capture a PayPal order."""
    payment = Payment.find(order_id)

    if payment.execute({"payer_id": payment.payer.payer_info.payer_id}):
        # Payment successful
        return {
            'status': 'success',
            'transaction_id': payment.id,
            'amount': payment.transactions[0].amount.total
        }
    else:
        # Payment failed
        return {
            'status': 'failed',
            'error': payment.error
        }

Express Checkout Implementation

Server-Side Order Creation

python
import requests
import json

class PayPalClient:
    def __init__(self, client_id, client_secret, mode='sandbox'):
        self.client_id = client_id
        self.client_secret = client_secret
        self.base_url = 'https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com' if mode == 'sandbox' else 'https://api-m.paypal.com'
        self.access_token = self.get_access_token()

    def get_access_token(self):
        """Get OAuth access token."""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/v1/oauth2/token"
        headers = {"Accept": "application/json", "Accept-Language": "en_US"}

        response = requests.post(
            url,
            headers=headers,
            data={"grant_type": "client_credentials"},
            auth=(self.client_id, self.client_secret)
        )

        return response.json()['access_token']

    def create_order(self, amount, currency='USD'):
        """Create a PayPal order."""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/v2/checkout/orders"
        headers = {
            "Content-Type": "application/json",
            "Authorization": f"Bearer {self.access_token}"
        }

        payload = {
            "intent": "CAPTURE",
            "purchase_units": [{
                "amount": {
                    "currency_code": currency,
                    "value": str(amount)
                }
            }]
        }

        response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
        return response.json()

    def capture_order(self, order_id):
        """Capture payment for an order."""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/v2/checkout/orders/{order_id}/capture"
        headers = {
            "Content-Type": "application/json",
            "Authorization": f"Bearer {self.access_token}"
        }

        response = requests.post(url, headers=headers)
        return response.json()

    def get_order_details(self, order_id):
        """Get order details."""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/v2/checkout/orders/{order_id}"
        headers = {
            "Authorization": f"Bearer {self.access_token}"
        }

        response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
        return response.json()

IPN (Instant Payment Notification) Handling

IPN Verification and Processing

python
from flask import Flask, request
import requests
from urllib.parse import parse_qs

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/ipn', methods=['POST'])
def handle_ipn():
    """Handle PayPal IPN notifications."""
    # Get IPN message
    ipn_data = request.form.to_dict()

    # Verify IPN with PayPal
    if not verify_ipn(ipn_data):
        return 'IPN verification failed', 400

    # Process IPN based on transaction type
    payment_status = ipn_data.get('payment_status')
    txn_type = ipn_data.get('txn_type')

    if payment_status == 'Completed':
        handle_payment_completed(ipn_data)
    elif payment_status == 'Refunded':
        handle_refund(ipn_data)
    elif payment_status == 'Reversed':
        handle_chargeback(ipn_data)

    return 'IPN processed', 200

def verify_ipn(ipn_data):
    """Verify IPN message authenticity."""
    # Add 'cmd' parameter
    verify_data = ipn_data.copy()
    verify_data['cmd'] = '_notify-validate'

    # Send back to PayPal for verification
    paypal_url = 'https://ipnpb.sandbox.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr'  # or production URL

    response = requests.post(paypal_url, data=verify_data)

    return response.text == 'VERIFIED'

def handle_payment_completed(ipn_data):
    """Process completed payment."""
    txn_id = ipn_data.get('txn_id')
    payer_email = ipn_data.get('payer_email')
    mc_gross = ipn_data.get('mc_gross')
    item_name = ipn_data.get('item_name')

    # Check if already processed (prevent duplicates)
    if is_transaction_processed(txn_id):
        return

    # Update database
    # Send confirmation email
    # Fulfill order
    print(f"Payment completed: {txn_id}, Amount: ${mc_gross}")

def handle_refund(ipn_data):
    """Handle refund."""
    parent_txn_id = ipn_data.get('parent_txn_id')
    mc_gross = ipn_data.get('mc_gross')

    # Process refund in your system
    print(f"Refund processed: {parent_txn_id}, Amount: ${mc_gross}")

def handle_chargeback(ipn_data):
    """Handle payment reversal/chargeback."""
    txn_id = ipn_data.get('txn_id')
    reason_code = ipn_data.get('reason_code')

    # Handle chargeback
    print(f"Chargeback: {txn_id}, Reason: {reason_code}")

Subscription/Recurring Billing

Create Subscription Plan

python
def create_subscription_plan(name, amount, interval='MONTH'):
    """Create a subscription plan."""
    client = PayPalClient(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_SECRET)

    url = f"{client.base_url}/v1/billing/plans"
    headers = {
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {client.access_token}"
    }

    payload = {
        "product_id": "PRODUCT_ID",  # Create product first
        "name": name,
        "billing_cycles": [{
            "frequency": {
                "interval_unit": interval,
                "interval_count": 1
            },
            "tenure_type": "REGULAR",
            "sequence": 1,
            "total_cycles": 0,  # Infinite
            "pricing_scheme": {
                "fixed_price": {
                    "value": str(amount),
                    "currency_code": "USD"
                }
            }
        }],
        "payment_preferences": {
            "auto_bill_outstanding": True,
            "setup_fee": {
                "value": "0",
                "currency_code": "USD"
            },
            "setup_fee_failure_action": "CONTINUE",
            "payment_failure_threshold": 3
        }
    }

    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
    return response.json()

def create_subscription(plan_id, subscriber_email):
    """Create a subscription for a customer."""
    client = PayPalClient(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_SECRET)

    url = f"{client.base_url}/v1/billing/subscriptions"
    headers = {
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {client.access_token}"
    }

    payload = {
        "plan_id": plan_id,
        "subscriber": {
            "email_address": subscriber_email
        },
        "application_context": {
            "return_url": "https://yourdomain.com/subscription/success",
            "cancel_url": "https://yourdomain.com/subscription/cancel"
        }
    }

    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
    subscription = response.json()

    # Get approval URL
    for link in subscription.get('links', []):
        if link['rel'] == 'approve':
            return {
                'subscription_id': subscription['id'],
                'approval_url': link['href']
            }

Refund Workflows

python
def create_refund(capture_id, amount=None, note=None):
    """Create a refund for a captured payment."""
    client = PayPalClient(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_SECRET)

    url = f"{client.base_url}/v2/payments/captures/{capture_id}/refund"
    headers = {
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {client.access_token}"
    }

    payload = {}
    if amount:
        payload["amount"] = {
            "value": str(amount),
            "currency_code": "USD"
        }

    if note:
        payload["note_to_payer"] = note

    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
    return response.json()

def get_refund_details(refund_id):
    """Get refund details."""
    client = PayPalClient(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_SECRET)

    url = f"{client.base_url}/v2/payments/refunds/{refund_id}"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {client.access_token}"
    }

    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
    return response.json()

Error Handling

python
class PayPalError(Exception):
    """Custom PayPal error."""
    pass

def handle_paypal_api_call(api_function):
    """Wrapper for PayPal API calls with error handling."""
    try:
        result = api_function()
        return result
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        # Network error
        raise PayPalError(f"Network error: {str(e)}")
    except Exception as e:
        # Other errors
        raise PayPalError(f"PayPal API error: {str(e)}")

# Usage
try:
    order = handle_paypal_api_call(lambda: client.create_order(25.00))
except PayPalError as e:
    # Handle error appropriately
    log_error(e)

Testing

python
# Use sandbox credentials
SANDBOX_CLIENT_ID = "..."
SANDBOX_SECRET = "..."

# Test accounts
# Create test buyer and seller accounts at developer.paypal.com

def test_payment_flow():
    """Test complete payment flow."""
    client = PayPalClient(SANDBOX_CLIENT_ID, SANDBOX_SECRET, mode='sandbox')

    # Create order
    order = client.create_order(10.00)
    assert 'id' in order

    # Get approval URL
    approval_url = next((link['href'] for link in order['links'] if link['rel'] == 'approve'), None)
    assert approval_url is not None

    # After approval (manual step with test account)
    # Capture order
    # captured = client.capture_order(order['id'])
    # assert captured['status'] == 'COMPLETED'

Resources

  • references/express-checkout.md: Express Checkout implementation guide
  • references/ipn-handling.md: IPN verification and processing
  • references/refund-workflows.md: Refund handling patterns
  • references/billing-agreements.md: Recurring billing setup
  • assets/paypal-client.py: Production PayPal client
  • assets/ipn-processor.py: IPN webhook processor
  • assets/recurring-billing.py: Subscription management

Best Practices

  1. Always Verify IPN: Never trust IPN without verification
  2. Idempotent Processing: Handle duplicate IPN notifications
  3. Error Handling: Implement robust error handling
  4. Logging: Log all transactions and errors
  5. Test Thoroughly: Use sandbox extensively
  6. Webhook Backup: Don't rely solely on client-side callbacks
  7. Currency Handling: Always specify currency explicitly

Common Pitfalls

  • Not Verifying IPN: Accepting IPN without verification
  • Duplicate Processing: Not checking for duplicate transactions
  • Wrong Environment: Mixing sandbox and production URLs/credentials
  • Missing Webhooks: Not handling all payment states
  • Hardcoded Values: Not making configurable for different environments

Expand your agent's capabilities with these related and highly-rated skills.

Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

nondominium-holochain-dna-dev

Specialized skill for nondominium Holochain DNA development, focusing on zome creation, entry patterns, integrity/coordinator architecture, ValueFlows compliance, and WASM optimization. Use when creating new zomes, implementing entry types, or modifying Holochain DNA code.

152 20
Explore
Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

fluidsim

Framework for computational fluid dynamics simulations using Python. Use when running fluid dynamics simulations including Navier-Stokes equations (2D/3D), shallow water equations, stratified flows, or when analyzing turbulence, vortex dynamics, or geophysical flows. Provides pseudospectral methods with FFT, HPC support, and comprehensive output analysis.

152 20
Explore
Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

metabolomics-workbench-database

Access NIH Metabolomics Workbench via REST API (4,200+ studies). Query metabolites, RefMet nomenclature, MS/NMR data, m/z searches, study metadata, for metabolomics and biomarker discovery.

152 20
Explore
Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

run-tests

Validate code changes by intelligently selecting and running the appropriate test suites. Use this when editing code to verify changes work correctly, run tests, validate functionality, or check for regressions. Automatically discovers affected test suites, selects the minimal set of venvs needed for validation, and handles test execution with Docker services as needed.

152 20
Explore
Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

skill-navigator

The 100th skill! Your intelligent guide to all 99 other skills. Recommends the perfect skill for any task, creates skill combinations, and helps you discover capabilities you didn't know you had.

152 20
Explore
Microck/ordinary-claude-skills

AgentDB Advanced Features

Master advanced AgentDB features including QUIC synchronization, multi-database management, custom distance metrics, hybrid search, and distributed systems integration. Use when building distributed AI systems, multi-agent coordination, or advanced vector search applications.

152 20
Explore

Didn't find tool you were looking for?

Be as detailed as possible for better results