Root API
QuickStart Guide

Use Root’s sandbox to validate integrations without real transactions in 7 simple steps.
STEP 1
Sign Up and Get Your Test API Key
  • Get your business email whitelisted to access Root's sandbox environment. Whitelist Now
  • Create a free developer account on Root's dashboard - no credit card required
  • There are 2 modes on the platform: Test Mode and Live Mode.
  • In live mode, you can integrate your actual bank account with Root.
  • Head over to API Keys in your dashboard and generate a test key.
  • Copy the key and use it in your request header as:
    X-API-KEY: {{your_api_token}}.
STEP 2
Import and Set Up the Postman Collection
  • Download and install Postman (if you don’t already have it).
  • Import our official collection from API Documentation .
  • Open the collection, go to Headers, and paste in the test API key you copied earlier.
  • Save your settings - requests will now auto-authenticate. Make sure requests inherit auth from the parent collection.
STEP 3
Explore Sample Payees and Payment Methods
  • In Postman, open the Payees folder and hit the GET /payees endpoint.
  • Click Send and you’ll see sample payees we’ve already created for you.
  • Next, explore payout methods by opening the Payment Methods folder and hitting GET /payees/{{payee_id}}/payment-methods.
    We’ve pre-configured Postman so {{payee_id}} auto-fills with the first payee’s ID.
  • Click Send again to see available payment methods for that payee.
STEP 4
Send Your First Simulated Payout
  • In Postman, go to the Payouts API folder and open POST /payouts.
  • Under Body, update the amount_in_cents, rail, and payee_id.
  • Certain Payees trigger predefined simulated cases (e.g., John Settled → Settled status). See the full list of cases at Simulated Scenarios.
  • Hit Send to create your first payout.
STEP 5
Add More Payees and Payment Methods
  • In Postman, open the Payees folder and click POST /payees.
  • In Body, update the name and email fields.
  • Click Send to create a new payee.
  • Now, add a payment method by opening POST /payees/{{payee_id}}/payment-methods/push-to-card.
  • Fill in details like card_number and card_expiry_date.
  • Click Send to save the payment method.
  • If you have a client side app, use the Root SDK to ensure you send payment method information safely with PCI compliance standards
STEP 6
Try Out Webhooks (Fully Simulated)
  • In Postman, open the Webhooks API folder and click POST /webhooks.
  • Update the url field with your own endpoint where you’d like to receive notifications.
  • Click Send to register your first webhook.
STEP 7
Go Live 🚀
  • Upgrade to a live account from your dashboard.
  • Configure a bank account for your entity.
  • Generate a live API key and swap out the test key.
  • Switch your base URL to https://api.useroot.com/.
  • Ensure you leverage Root SDK in production environment for sending payment method information to comply with PCI standards.
  • That’s it - you’re now ready to send real payouts.