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Reference · Credentials

PayPal API credentials

Used by 2 BusyBot nodes.

Type payPalApi 3 fields

The PayPal credential holds a REST API client ID and secret from an app in the PayPal developer dashboard, plus an environment setting. Sandbox and live issue completely separate credentials — mixing them is the most common failure here.

Fields

FieldTypeRequiredNotes
Client ID
clientId		 string Yes Your PayPal REST API Client ID
Secret
secret		 password Yes Your PayPal REST API Secret
Environment
env		 string Yes PayPal environment: "live" or "sandbox"

Getting your credentials

  1. Sign in to the PayPal developer dashboard.
  2. Create a REST API app, choosing whether it is for Sandbox or Live. Each produces its own credentials.
  3. Copy the app’s Client ID and Secret.
  4. Paste both into the credential, and set Environment to sandbox or live to match where the credentials came from.

Live credentials require a business account with the relevant features enabled.

Permissions and scopes

The app’s enabled features determine what the credentials can do. Enable only the features the workflow uses, and keep sandbox and live apps separate rather than trying to reuse one.

Troubleshooting

  • 401 invalid_client — the environment does not match the credentials. Sandbox keys against the live endpoint always fail, and vice versa.
  • Feature not enabled — the app in the developer dashboard does not have that capability turned on.
  • Works in sandbox, fails live — live accounts have additional business verification requirements that sandbox does not.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my client ID return invalid_client?

Almost always because the Environment field does not match where the credentials came from. Sandbox keys only work against sandbox, live keys only against live.

Can I use one app for both environments?

No — PayPal issues separate apps and separate credentials for sandbox and live. Create both and switch the environment field.

What do I need for live credentials?

A PayPal business account with the relevant features enabled on the live app. Sandbox has no such requirement, which is why things can work in testing and fail in production.

Nodes that use PayPal API

One credential works across every node below — create it once and reuse it.

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