Stripe checkout

Stripe Checkout Testing Skill

This skill provides guidance for testing Stripe checkout flows with any persona. It handles test card data, form detection, and payment-specific narration.

Purpose

Enable realistic user testing of Stripe payment flows using official test cards, with persona-appropriate reactions to checkout experiences.

Test Card Reference

Load card data from test-cards.json. Key scenarios:

Scenario	Card	When to Use
success	4242...4242	Happy path checkout
decline	4000...0002	Test error handling
3ds-required	4000...3155	Test 3D Secure flow
insufficient	4000...9995	Test specific decline reason
amex	3782...0005	Test Amex (4-digit CVC)

Default Test Values

Always use these unless testing specific scenarios:

• Expiry: 12/34 (any future date works)
• CVC: 123 (or 1234 for Amex)
• ZIP: 12345
• Name: Test User (or persona's name)
• Email: Use --email flag value, or default to [email protected]

Stripe Form Detection

Hosted Checkout (checkout.stripe.com)

When redirected to Stripe's hosted checkout:

URL contains: checkout.stripe.com

Indicators:
- Stripe branding visible
- Email field at top
- Card element with card icon
- "Pay" button with amount

Embedded Elements

When Stripe Elements are embedded in the page:

Look for iframes with:
- name containing "__privateStripeFrame"
- src containing "js.stripe.com"

Common element patterns:
- Single card element (all-in-one)
- Separate: card number, expiry, CVC fields
- Payment Request Button (Apple Pay / Google Pay)

Detection Script

Use browser_evaluate to detect Stripe:

(function() {
  // Check for hosted checkout
  if (window.location.hostname === 'checkout.stripe.com') {
    return { type: 'hosted', detected: true };
  }

  // Check for embedded Elements
  var stripeFrames = document.querySelectorAll('iframe[name*="__privateStripeFrame"]');
  if (stripeFrames.length > 0) {
    return {
      type: 'elements',
      detected: true,
      frameCount: stripeFrames.length
    };
  }

  // Check for Payment Request Button
  var prButton = document.querySelector('[data-testid="payment-request-button"]');
  if (prButton) {
    return { type: 'payment-request', detected: true };
  }

  return { detected: false };
})();

Filling Stripe Forms

For Hosted Checkout

Fields appear in the main document - use standard form filling:

1. Email: Use browser_type on email field
2. Card: The card element is a single field - type full card number
3. Expiry: Type MM/YY format
4. CVC: Type 3 digits (4 for Amex)
5. Name: Type cardholder name
6. ZIP: Type postal code if shown

For Embedded Elements

Elements are in iframes - interaction requires focusing the iframe:

1. Click/focus on the card element to activate it
2. Type card number directly (it auto-formats)
3. Tab to expiry, type MM/YY
4. Tab to CVC, type digits
5. Tab to submit or click Pay button

Auto-Fill Approach

Since card entry should be fast (per user's preference):

1. Get test card from scenario
2. Use browser_fill_form or browser_type to fill all fields quickly
3. No character-by-character typing
4. Submit immediately after filling

Payment-Specific Narration

Persona Expressions for Payment

Add these to persona narration when testing checkout:

Boomer Tech-Averse:

• "Okay, this is the payment part. Let me make sure this is secure..."
• "I see the little lock icon up there, that's good."
• "Now where do I put my card number? Is this the right field?"
• "Wait, should I put the spaces? Let me try without..."
• "Oh good, it went through! I was nervous there for a second."

Boomer Tech-Friendly:

• "Alright, payment time. This looks like my bank's site."
• "Nice, they take all the major cards."
• "Let me get my card from my wallet... okay, ready."
• "Good, it shows the amount clearly. That's what I expected."

Millennial Tech-Skeptic:

• "Let me verify this is actually Stripe... yep, secure iframe."
• "Why do they need my phone number for this?"
• "At least they're not storing my card by default."
• "Interesting they don't have PayPal. That's a choice."
• "The price breakdown is clear, no hidden fees. Respect."

Gen Z Digital Native:

• "Ugh no Apple Pay? That's annoying."
• "Wait I have to TYPE my card number? What year is this?"
• "Okay fine, let me find my card... where did I put it..."
• "types quickly Done. Let's go."
• "Nice, confirmation came through instantly. W."

Gen Alpha Tablet Kid:

• "Mommy needs to help with this part..."
• "Lots of numbers! Like math!"
• "Why can't I just tap? Tap tap tap!"

Impulse Buyer:

• "Just take my money! Where's Apple Pay?"
• "Ugh, account creation? SKIP. Guest checkout, please."
• "Finally. Pay now. Done. Moving on."

Comparison Shopper:

• "Let me verify the total one more time..."
• "SSL certificate... Stripe... okay, this is legit."
• "I should screenshot this for my records."

Frustration Triggers (Payment)

Watch for these and react appropriately:

• No express checkout options (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Required account creation before payment
• Unexpected fees appearing at checkout
• Shipping cost not shown until payment page
• Payment form errors with unclear messages
• 3D Secure popups (especially unexpected)
• Slow payment processing (>3 seconds)
• No order confirmation displayed
• Receipt email not arriving

Positive Reactions (Payment)

Note and appreciate these:

• Apple Pay / Google Pay available
• Guest checkout option
• Clear price breakdown with no surprises
• Stripe badge / security indicators visible
• Instant confirmation with order number
• Receipt email arrives quickly
• Saved payment option for returning users

3D Secure Handling

When 3ds-required card triggers authentication:

1. Detect Modal: Look for Stripe 3DS iframe/modal
2. Narrate: Express surprise/concern based on persona
3. Complete: In test mode, there's usually a "Complete authentication" button
4. Continue: Return to confirmation flow

Persona reactions to 3DS:

• Tech-averse: "Oh no, what's this popup? Is something wrong?"
• Tech-friendly: "Ah, extra security. Like my bank does."
• Tech-skeptic: "3D Secure... okay, that's actually good."
• Digital native: "Ugh, another step? Just let me pay!"

Report Section: Payment Experience

Add this section to reports when --stripe flag is used:

## Payment Experience

### Checkout Summary
- **Checkout Type**: Stripe Elements (embedded) / Hosted
- **Express Options**: Apple Pay [Yes/No], Google Pay [Yes/No]
- **Guest Checkout**: [Available/Required Account]
- **Test Card Used**: [scenario] ([card number prefix]...)
- **3D Secure**: [Triggered/Not Triggered]
- **Result**: [Payment Successful/Declined/Error]

### Payment Flow Timeline
1. [Time] Reached checkout page
2. [Time] Started filling payment form
3. [Time] Submitted payment
4. [Time] Received confirmation

### Payment Friction Points
- [List issues that slowed or frustrated the payment process]

### Payment Positives
- [List things that made payment smooth or trustworthy]

### Security Perception
- [How secure did the checkout feel to this persona?]

Integration with Main Testing Flow

When --stripe flag is active on /user-test or /stripe-test is used:

1. Pre-checkout: Test normal flows until reaching checkout
2. Checkout Detection: Identify Stripe form type
3. Express Options Check: Note if Apple Pay / Google Pay available
4. Form Analysis: Identify required fields
5. Auto-Fill Payment: Fill card details from test scenario
6. Submit & Wait: Submit and wait for response
7. Handle 3DS: If triggered, complete authentication
8. Confirmation: Verify success/failure
9. Report: Include Payment Experience section