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Upgrade Stripe

OfficialFree

Streamline your Stripe API version upgrades.

by stripe1.7k stars on stripe/ai
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Updated Aug 8, 2026
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Free · Opens the source repo

What Upgrade Stripe does

The Upgrade Stripe skill provides a comprehensive guide for developers looking to upgrade their Stripe API versions and SDKs efficiently. With Stripe's date-based versioning system, it’s essential to understand how to manage these upgrades to ensure compatibility and access to new features. This skill simplifies the process by outlining the necessary steps and considerations when upgrading, including identifying backward-compatible and breaking changes that may affect your integration.

This skill is particularly useful for developers working with Stripe's various SDKs across different programming languages. It details how to set the API version in dynamically-typed languages like Python and JavaScript, as well as in strongly-typed languages like Java and Go. By following the best practices outlined, developers can avoid potential pitfalls and ensure that their applications leverage the latest API capabilities while maintaining stability.

In addition to server-side SDKs, the skill covers Stripe.js and mobile SDK versioning, providing specific instructions for loading versioned libraries and managing dependencies. It emphasizes the importance of testing API version changes using the Stripe-Version header, allowing developers to validate their integrations without disrupting their live environments. This is crucial for maintaining a seamless user experience during upgrades.

Overall, the Upgrade Stripe skill is designed for developers and teams integrating Stripe into their applications who need a clear, structured approach to managing API version upgrades. By following the guidelines provided, users can ensure that their integrations remain robust and up-to-date with the latest Stripe features and improvements.

When to use it

Use this skill when planning to upgrade your Stripe API version or SDK to ensure compatibility and access to new features.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for users who are not currently using Stripe or do not plan to upgrade their API versions.

What you can build with it

Upgrading an Existing Integration

When you need to upgrade your existing Stripe integration to the latest API version, this skill provides a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition.

Managing Multiple SDK Versions

If your application uses multiple Stripe SDKs across different languages, this skill helps you manage version compatibility and updates effectively.

Testing API Changes

Use this skill to learn how to test API changes safely using the `Stripe-Version` header, allowing you to validate your code against new versions.

How to install Upgrade Stripe

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add stripe/ai/upgrade-stripe --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by stripe

The latest Stripe API version is 2026-07-29.dahlia - use this version when upgrading unless the user specifies a different target version.

Upgrading Stripe Versions

This guide covers upgrading Stripe API versions, server-side SDKs, Stripe.js, and mobile SDKs.

Understanding Stripe API Versioning

Stripe uses date-based API versions (e.g., 2026-07-29.dahlia, 2025-08-27.basil, 2024-12-18.acacia). Your account’s API version determines request/response behavior.

Types of Changes

Backward-Compatible Changes (don’t require code updates):

  • New API resources
  • New optional request parameters
  • New properties in existing responses
  • Changes to opaque string lengths (e.g., object IDs)
  • New webhook event types

Breaking Changes (require code updates):

  • Field renames or removals
  • Behavioral modifications
  • Removed endpoints or parameters

Review the API Changelog for all changes between versions.

Server-Side SDK Versioning

See SDK Version Management for details.

Dynamically-Typed Languages (Ruby, Python, PHP, Node.js)

These SDKs offer flexible version control:

Global Configuration:

import stripe
stripe.api_version = '2026-07-29.dahlia'
Stripe.api_version = '2026-07-29.dahlia'
const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_xxx', {
  apiVersion: '2026-07-29.dahlia'
});

Per-Request Override:

stripe.Customer.create(
  email="customer@example.com",
  stripe_version='2026-07-29.dahlia'
)

Strongly-Typed Languages (Java, Go, .NET)

These use a fixed API version matching the SDK release date. Don’t set a different API version for strongly-typed languages because response objects might not match the strong types in the SDK. Instead, update the SDK to target a new API version.

Best Practice

Always specify the API version you’re integrating against in your code instead of relying on your account’s default API version:

// Good: Explicit version
const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_xxx', {
  apiVersion: '2026-07-29.dahlia'
});

// Avoid: Relying on account default
const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_xxx');

Stripe.js Versioning

See Stripe.js Versioning for details.

Stripe.js uses an evergreen model with major releases (Acacia, Basil, Clover, Dahlia) on a biannual basis.

Loading Versioned Stripe.js

Via Script Tag:

<script src="https://js.stripe.com/dahlia/stripe.js"></script>

Via npm:

npm install @stripe/stripe-js

Major npm versions correspond to specific Stripe.js versions.

API Version Pairing

Each Stripe.js version automatically pairs with its corresponding API version. For instance:

  • Dahlia Stripe.js uses 2026-07-29.dahlia API
  • Acacia Stripe.js uses 2024-12-18.acacia API

You can’t override this association.

Migrating from v3

  1. Identify your current API version in code
  2. Review the changelog for relevant changes
  3. Consider gradually updating your API version before switching Stripe.js versions
  4. Stripe continues supporting v3 indefinitely

Mobile SDK Versioning

See Mobile SDK Versioning for details.

iOS and Android SDKs

Both platforms follow semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH):

  • MAJOR: Breaking API changes
  • MINOR: New functionality (backward-compatible)
  • PATCH: Bug fixes (backward-compatible)

New features and fixes release only on the latest major version. Upgrade regularly to access improvements.

React Native SDK

Uses a different model (0.x.y schema):

  • Minor version changes (x): Breaking changes AND new features
  • Patch updates (y): Critical bug fixes only

Backend Compatibility

All mobile SDKs work with any Stripe API version you use on your backend unless documentation specifies otherwise.

Upgrade Checklist

  1. Review the API Changelog for changes between your current and target versions
  2. Check Upgrades Guide for migration guidance
  3. Update server-side SDK package version (e.g., npm update stripe, pip install --upgrade stripe)
  4. Update the apiVersion parameter in your Stripe client initialization
  5. Test your integration against the new API version using the Stripe-Version header
  6. Update webhook handlers to handle new event structures
  7. Update Stripe.js script tag or npm package version if needed
  8. Update mobile SDK versions in your package manager if needed
  9. Store Stripe object IDs in databases that accommodate up to 255 characters (case-sensitive collation)

Testing API Version Changes

Use the Stripe-Version header to test your code against a new version without changing your default:

curl https://api.stripe.com/v1/customers \
  -u sk_test_xxx: \
  -H "Stripe-Version: 2026-07-29.dahlia"

Or in code:

const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_xxx', {
  apiVersion: '2026-07-29.dahlia'  // Test with new version
});

Important Notes

  • Your webhook listener should handle unfamiliar event types gracefully
  • Test webhooks with the new version structure before upgrading
  • Breaking changes are tagged by affected product areas (Payments, Billing, Connect, etc.)
  • Multiple API versions coexist simultaneously, enabling staged adoption

Frequently asked questions about Upgrade Stripe

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