Integrating with the Express Dashboard

Express provides its own account management and reporting features for users, built into a Dashboard hosted by Stripe.

When the user visits their Express Dashboard, they can modify account information, view recent and upcoming payouts, and perform other relevant tasks. Instead of logging in to a dedicated Stripe account, users reach their Dashboard through your platform.

You can use the Create Login Link API to generate a single-use URL that allows the user to access the Dashboard:

Terminal

curl https://api.stripe.com/v1/accounts/"{{CONNECTED_STRIPE_ACCOUNT_ID}}"/login_links \
  -u sk_test_4eC39HqLyjWDarjtT1zdp7dc
: \
  -X "POST"

When the request completes successfully, the response includes a generated Dashboard URL:

{
  "object": "login_link",
  "created": 1495580507,
  "url": "https://stripe.com/express/Ln7FfnNpUcCU"
}

The URL expires a brief period after you retrieve it from the login_link API, so you should use it promptly. Typically, you should use the API to generate the link on demand when the user intends to visit their Dashboard.

In the user interface for your website or mobile application, you could have a button that offers to take the user to their Dashboard. When the user clicks the button, your application fetches the URL from the Login Link API and then redirects the user to the address.

Stripe uses two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized changes to the user’s payout information. Stripe typically requires one factor of authentication, such as a valid login link, a previous session, or phone authentication, when a user logs in to view their payouts and change basic information. When a user changes their payout information, however, Stripe sends them either an SMS message or an e-mail with a code that they must provide for verification.

Self-service

Onboarded account holders can access the Express dashboard directly from the Stripe login page. By visiting the login page and entering an email address associated with Express accounts, an account holder can perform SMS authentication to see a list of Express accounts that they have access to and log directly into the dashboards for those accounts.

Existing non-Express Stripe account holders can access their Express dashboards through the account switcher in the upper left corner of their Stripe dashboard in the same way. They must be logged-in with the same email address used on the Express account.

Platforms shouldn’t rely on self-service dashboard access as a way for account holders to access their Express accounts, and should continue to provide login links directly from their apps. This provides a smoother experience for account holders, and avoids restrictions around changing account credentials like email and phone number.