Documentation reviewed 2026-10-07. Planning examples are not completed client work or runtime test results.
Describe the environment and provider
Record WordPress, WooCommerce and PHP versions, the theme, relevant extensions, checkout type and order-storage configuration. Name the provider and link its current API documentation. Identify sandbox availability, authentication method, request limits and test accounts. Never put passwords, card details or API secrets into the project brief.
Map events and choose the source of truth
For a payment integration, specify what creates a payment request, what confirms it and which system owns its final status. A customer's return to the success page alone must not be treated as payment confirmation. For delivery, decide whether labels are created on payment, fulfilment or a manager's explicit action. For inventory, define which system owns stock and how conflicting updates are resolved.
Make retries and duplicates part of the specification
Consider a provider accepting a label request just before the store times out. The next attempt must not blindly create another chargeable label. Define a stable operation identifier, reconciliation behaviour and provider-specific duplicate protection. Test repeated callbacks, delayed responses and out-of-order events. These are proposed tests, not claims that an integration has already passed them.
Separate payment logic from checkout presentation
Ask whether both classic and block-based checkout must be supported. WooCommerce payment gateway behaviour and block checkout integration need separate consideration; do not infer block support from a gateway class alone. Define refunds, cancellations and failed payments only where the provider supports them. Prefer provider-managed payment entry; do not casually add card-data collection to a custom form.
Specify storage, privacy and operational visibility
Use WooCommerce order APIs rather than assuming order data lives in WordPress post tables; HPOS changes that assumption. List the minimum personal information sent to the provider, retention needs and who can access diagnostics. Logs should identify an operation and outcome without including credentials or full customer payloads. Decide who receives a failed-operation alert and who can safely retry it.
Write a release checklist with observable outcomes
A useful acceptance example is: a paid sandbox order creates exactly one test label, stores its tracking number and leaves a clear outcome when the provider is unavailable. Add guest and logged-in checkout, relevant currencies and destinations, failed authentication, timeout, duplicate submission and refund scenarios. Record the environment, date and actual results. Agree on deployment, rollback, maintenance and supplier API-change responsibilities before implementation.
Documentation sources
PluginNest is independent and not affiliated with original product developers. GPL downloads do not include official vendor license keys, SaaS accounts or official vendor support.
FAQ
Should I send provider credentials with the first enquiry?
No. Send requirements and public documentation first. Arrange secure, limited test access only after a project is accepted and the access scope is agreed.
Does this template guarantee compatibility?
No. Compatibility requires implementation-specific tests against the actual store, checkout and provider environment.