Stripe Connect

Build marketplace and platform payment flows with connected accounts, flexible charge routing, and automated payouts.

Priority Rules

Quick Reference

Account Type Decision Tree

How much onboarding control do you need?
|
+-- Sellers manage their own Stripe dashboard?
|   -> Standard accounts (least platform liability)
|
+-- Platform-branded onboarding, Stripe-hosted dashboard?
|   -> Express accounts (balanced control)
|
+-- Full white-label, platform owns entire UX?
    -> Custom accounts (most control, most responsibility)

Charge Flow Decision Tree

Who should the customer see on their statement?
|
+-- The connected account (seller)?
|   -> Direct charges
|      Customer -> Connected Account (platform takes fee)
|
+-- The platform?
|   -> Destination charges
|      Customer -> Platform -> Connected Account
|
+-- Complex splits / delayed routing?
    -> Separate Charges and Transfers
       Customer -> Platform -> Multiple Connected Accounts

Quick Start: Express + Destination Charges

// 1. Create Connected Account
const account = await stripe.accounts.create({
  type: 'express',
  country: 'US',
  email: 'seller@example.com',
  capabilities: {
    card_payments: { requested: true },
    transfers: { requested: true },
  },
});

// 2. Generate Onboarding Link
const accountLink = await stripe.accountLinks.create({
  account: account.id,
  refresh_url: 'https://example.com/reauth',
  return_url: 'https://example.com/return',
  type: 'account_onboarding',
});

// 3. Create Payment with Platform Fee
const paymentIntent = await stripe.paymentIntents.create({
  amount: 10000,
  currency: 'usd',
  application_fee_amount: 1500,
  transfer_data: {
    destination: 'acct_connected_xxx',
  },
});

Critical Webhooks

Reference Docs

How to Use

1. Choosing an account type: Start with rules/account-choose-express-default.md, then consult references/account-types.md for full comparison
2. Implementing a charge flow: Start with rules/charge-use-destination.md, then consult references/charge-flows.md for code examples
3. Building onboarding: Check rules prefixed with onboard-, then consult references/onboarding.md for full flow
4. Setting up fees: Check rules prefixed with fee-, then consult references/platform-fees.md for calculation patterns
5. Configuring payouts: Check rules prefixed with payout-, then consult references/payouts.md for schedules and instant payouts
6. Webhook integration: Check rules prefixed with webhook-, and set up Connect-specific webhook endpoint
7. OAuth for Standard accounts: Consult references/oauth.md for full authorization flow
8. Compliance: Consult references/compliance.md for KYC, tax reporting, and cross-border requirements