Supporting material availability

The following are external prerequisites, not bundled files: <support-root>/references/express-checkout.md, <support-root>/references/ipn-handling.md, <support-root>/references/refund-workflows.md, <support-root>/references/billing-agreements.md, <support-root>/assets/paypal-client.py, <support-root>/assets/ipn-processor.py, <support-root>/assets/recurring-billing.py. Obtain them from the original source or an existing installation and inspect them before use. Do not execute or claim completion of a dependent step until its required file exists; report unavailable steps. The fully documented inline workflow remains usable within the authorized scope.

PayPal Integration

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

Do not use this skill when

• The task is unrelated to paypal integration
• You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

Instructions

• Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
• Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
• Provide actionable steps and verification.

Use this skill when

• 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

// 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>

# 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

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"}


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