---
name: mercadopago-integration
description: >
  Integrate MercadoPago Checkout Pro (redirect-based) into Next.js applications with
  any PostgreSQL database (Supabase, AWS RDS, Neon, PlanetScale, self-hosted, Prisma,
  Drizzle, or raw pg). Use when the user needs to: (1) Add MercadoPago payment
  processing to a Next.js app, (2) Create a checkout flow with MercadoPago, (3) Set up
  payment webhooks for MercadoPago, (4) Build payment success/failure pages, (5) Create
  a shopping cart with payment integration, (6) Troubleshoot MercadoPago integration
  issues (auto_return errors, webhook failures, hydration mismatches, double submissions).
  Triggers on requests mentioning MercadoPago, Mercado Pago, payment integration with MP,
  Argentine/Latin American payment processing, or checkout with MercadoPago. Supports
  all MercadoPago countries: Argentina (ARS), Brazil (BRL), Mexico (MXN), Colombia (COP),
  Chile (CLP), Peru (PEN), Uruguay (UYU).
---

# MercadoPago Checkout Pro - Next.js Integration

Redirect-based payment flow: buyer clicks "Pay", is redirected to MercadoPago, completes payment, returns to the app. A webhook confirms the payment status in the background.

## Quick Start

For a minimal integration, just tell Claude:

```
Integrar MercadoPago en mi app
```

Claude will automatically explore your codebase to detect:
- Database adapter (Supabase, Prisma, or raw pg)
- Cart store location
- Existing routes and patterns
- Currency based on context

For more control, provide details:

```
Integrate MercadoPago Checkout Pro.
Database: Prisma. Currency: ARS. Success route: /pago-exitoso.
```

See `references/usage-examples.md` for more prompt templates.

## Payment Flow

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                              PAYMENT FLOW                                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

User clicks "Pay"
       │
       ▼
┌──────────────────┐
│ POST /api/checkout│
└────────┬─────────┘
         │
         ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ 1. Create purchase in DB         │
│    (status: pending)             │
│ 2. Create preference in MP API   │
│ 3. Save preference_id in DB      │
│ 4. Return init_point URL         │
└────────┬─────────────────────────┘
         │
         ▼
┌──────────────────┐      ┌─────────────────────┐
│ Redirect to MP   │─────▶│ User pays on MP     │
└──────────────────┘      └──────────┬──────────┘
                                     │
         ┌───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┐
         │                                                       │
         ▼                                                       ▼
┌─────────────────────────┐                        ┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Redirect back to app    │                        │ MP sends webhook        │
│ /payment-success?id=... │                        │ POST /api/webhooks/mp   │
└──────────┬──────────────┘                        └──────────┬──────────────┘
           │                                                  │
           ▼                                                  ▼
┌─────────────────────────┐                        ┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Verify status via API   │                        │ Update purchase status  │
│ GET /api/purchases/[id] │                        │ in database             │
└──────────┬──────────────┘                        └─────────────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Show UI based on status │
│ approved/pending/rejected│
└─────────────────────────┘
```

## Before Starting

1. **Determine the database adapter.** Explore the codebase or ask the user:
   - **Supabase?** See `references/database-supabase.md`
   - **Prisma?** See `references/database-prisma.md`
   - **Raw PostgreSQL (pg, Drizzle, etc.)?** See `references/database-postgresql.md`

2. **Gather or infer from the codebase:**

| Detail | Why | Example |
|--------|-----|---------|
| Currency | Preference creation | `ARS`, `BRL`, `MXN` (see `references/countries.md`) |
| Success/failure routes | `back_urls` in preference | `/payment-success`, `/pago-exitoso` |
| Brand name | Card statement descriptor | `MY_STORE` (max 22 chars) |
| Product/item table | FK in `purchase_items` | `products`, `photos`, `courses` |
| Cart store location | Hook reads items from it | `src/store/cart.ts` |
| DB client path | API routes import it | `src/lib/supabase/server.ts`, `src/lib/prisma.ts` |

## Prerequisites

1. Install dependencies: `npm install mercadopago zod`
2. Set environment variables (**never** prefix access token with `NEXT_PUBLIC_`):
   ```env
   MERCADOPAGO_ACCESS_TOKEN=TEST-xxxx   # from https://www.mercadopago.com/developers/panel/app
   NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost:3000  # HTTPS in production
   ```
3. Run database migration from `assets/migration.sql` (works on any PostgreSQL database).

### Production Requirements

- **SSL Certificate**: Required for `auto_return` and secure webhooks
- **Active MercadoPago seller account**: [Create here](https://www.mercadopago.com/developers/panel/app)
- **Publicly accessible webhook URL**: MercadoPago must reach your `/api/webhooks/mercadopago`

## Implementation Steps

### Step 1: Database Helper

**Create:** `src/lib/db/purchases.ts`

This abstracts all purchase DB operations. Implement using your DB adapter.
See the reference file for your adapter:
- Supabase: `references/database-supabase.md`
- Prisma: `references/database-prisma.md`
- Raw pg / other: `references/database-postgresql.md`

The helper must export these functions:

```typescript
interface PurchaseInsert {
  user_email: string;
  status: 'pending';
  total_amount: number;
}

interface PurchaseUpdate {
  status?: 'pending' | 'approved' | 'rejected';
  mercadopago_payment_id?: string;
  mercadopago_preference_id?: string;
  user_email?: string;
  updated_at?: string;
}

// Required exports:
export async function createPurchase(data: PurchaseInsert): Promise<{ id: string }>;
export async function updatePurchase(id: string, data: PurchaseUpdate): Promise<void>;
export async function getPurchaseStatus(id: string): Promise<{ id: string; status: string } | null>;
export async function createPurchaseItems(purchaseId: string, items: { item_id: string; price: number }[]): Promise<void>;
```

### Step 2: MercadoPago Client

**Create:** `src/lib/mercadopago/client.ts`

```typescript
import { MercadoPagoConfig, Preference, Payment } from 'mercadopago';

const client = new MercadoPagoConfig({
  accessToken: process.env.MERCADOPAGO_ACCESS_TOKEN!,
});

const preference = new Preference(client);
const payment = new Payment(client);

interface CreatePreferenceParams {
  items: { id: string; title: string; quantity: number; unit_price: number }[];
  purchaseId: string;
  buyerEmail?: string;
}

export async function createPreference({
  items, purchaseId, buyerEmail,
}: CreatePreferenceParams) {
  const baseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || 'http://localhost:3000';

  return preference.create({
    body: {
      items: items.map((item) => ({
        id: item.id,
        title: item.title,
        quantity: item.quantity,
        unit_price: item.unit_price,
        currency_id: 'ARS', // Change per references/countries.md
      })),
      ...(buyerEmail ? { payer: { email: buyerEmail } } : {}),
      back_urls: {
        success: `${baseUrl}/payment-success?purchase=${purchaseId}`,
        failure: `${baseUrl}/payment-failure?purchase=${purchaseId}`,
        pending: `${baseUrl}/payment-success?purchase=${purchaseId}&status=pending`,
      },
      // CRITICAL: auto_return requires HTTPS. Omit on localhost or MP returns 400.
      ...(baseUrl.startsWith('https') ? { auto_return: 'approved' as const } : {}),
      external_reference: purchaseId,
      notification_url: `${baseUrl}/api/webhooks/mercadopago`,
      statement_descriptor: 'YOUR_BRAND', // Replace with user's brand (max 22 chars)
      expires: true,
      expiration_date_from: new Date().toISOString(),
      expiration_date_to: new Date(Date.now() + 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000).toISOString(),
    },
    // Optional: Prevent duplicate preferences on retry
    requestOptions: {
      idempotencyKey: purchaseId,
    },
  });
}

export async function getPayment(paymentId: string) {
  return payment.get({ id: paymentId });
}
```

### Step 3: Checkout API Route

**Create:** `src/app/api/checkout/route.ts`

```typescript
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
import { createPurchase, updatePurchase } from '@/lib/db/purchases';
import { createPreference } from '@/lib/mercadopago/client';
import { z } from 'zod';

const checkoutSchema = z.object({
  items: z.array(z.object({
    id: z.string(),
    title: z.string().min(1),
    quantity: z.number().positive(),
    unit_price: z.number().positive(),
  })).min(1),
  email: z.string().email().optional(),
});

export async function POST(request: Request) {
  try {
    const body = await request.json();
    const validation = checkoutSchema.safeParse(body);
    if (!validation.success) {
      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Invalid request data' }, { status: 400 });
    }

    const { items, email } = validation.data;
    const totalAmount = items.reduce((sum, i) => sum + i.unit_price * i.quantity, 0);

    const purchase = await createPurchase({
      user_email: email || 'pending@checkout',
      status: 'pending',
      total_amount: totalAmount,
    });

    const mpPreference = await createPreference({
      items, purchaseId: purchase.id, buyerEmail: email,
    });

    await updatePurchase(purchase.id, {
      mercadopago_preference_id: mpPreference.id,
    });

    return NextResponse.json({
      preferenceId: mpPreference.id,
      initPoint: mpPreference.init_point,
      purchaseId: purchase.id,
    });
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Checkout error:', error);
    return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Checkout failed' }, { status: 500 });
  }
}
```

### Step 4: Webhook Handler

**Create:** `src/app/api/webhooks/mercadopago/route.ts`

```typescript
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
import { getPurchaseStatus, updatePurchase } from '@/lib/db/purchases';
import { getPayment } from '@/lib/mercadopago/client';

export async function POST(request: Request) {
  try {
    const body = await request.json();

    // Handle both IPN and webhook formats
    if (body.type !== 'payment' && body.action !== 'payment.created' && body.action !== 'payment.updated') {
      return NextResponse.json({ received: true });
    }

    const paymentId = body.data?.id;
    if (!paymentId) return NextResponse.json({ received: true });

    const payment = await getPayment(paymentId.toString());
    if (!payment?.external_reference) return NextResponse.json({ received: true });

    let status: 'pending' | 'approved' | 'rejected' = 'pending';
    if (payment.status === 'approved') status = 'approved';
    else if (['rejected', 'cancelled', 'refunded'].includes(payment.status || '')) status = 'rejected';

    // Idempotency: skip if already in terminal state
    const existing = await getPurchaseStatus(payment.external_reference);
    if (existing?.status === 'approved' || existing?.status === 'rejected') {
      return NextResponse.json({ received: true });
    }

    const payerEmail = payment.payer?.email;
    await updatePurchase(payment.external_reference, {
      status,
      mercadopago_payment_id: paymentId.toString(),
      ...(payerEmail ? { user_email: payerEmail } : {}),
      updated_at: new Date().toISOString(),
    });

    return NextResponse.json({ received: true });
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Webhook error:', error);
    // Always return 200 to prevent MercadoPago from retrying indefinitely
    return NextResponse.json({ received: true });
  }
}

// GET endpoint for MercadoPago verification pings
export async function GET() {
  return NextResponse.json({ status: 'ok' });
}
```

### Step 5: Purchase Status API

**Create:** `src/app/api/purchases/[id]/route.ts`

```typescript
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
import { getPurchaseStatus } from '@/lib/db/purchases';

export async function GET(
  _request: Request,
  { params }: { params: Promise<{ id: string }> }
) {
  const { id } = await params;
  const data = await getPurchaseStatus(id);

  if (!data) return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Not found' }, { status: 404 });
  return NextResponse.json({ id: data.id, status: data.status });
}
```

### Step 6: Checkout Hook (Frontend)

**Create:** `src/hooks/useCheckout.ts`

Double-click prevention uses `useRef` (survives re-renders, unlike `useState`).

```typescript
'use client';
import { useCallback, useRef, useState } from 'react';

export function useCheckout() {
  const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
  const guard = useRef(false);

  const submitCheckout = useCallback(async (items: unknown[]) => {
    if (guard.current) return;
    setError(null);
    guard.current = true;
    setIsSubmitting(true);
    try {
      const res = await fetch('/api/checkout', {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
        body: JSON.stringify({ items }),
      });
      const data = await res.json();
      if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error || 'Checkout failed');
      if (data.initPoint) window.location.href = data.initPoint;
      else throw new Error('No payment link returned');
    } catch (err) {
      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error');
      setIsSubmitting(false);
      guard.current = false;
    }
  }, []);

  return { submitCheckout, isSubmitting, error };
}
```

### Step 7: Success Page with Verification

**Create:** `src/app/payment-success/page.tsx` (adjust route name)

Always verify purchase status server-side. Never trust the redirect URL alone.
Wrap `useSearchParams` in `<Suspense>` (Next.js App Router requirement).

```tsx
'use client';
import { useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation';
import { Suspense, useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react';

type Status = 'loading' | 'approved' | 'pending' | 'rejected' | 'error';

function PaymentResult() {
  const purchaseId = useSearchParams().get('purchase');
  const [status, setStatus] = useState<Status>(purchaseId ? 'loading' : 'approved');

  const verify = useCallback(async (id: string) => {
    try {
      const res = await fetch(`/api/purchases/${id}`);
      if (!res.ok) { setStatus('error'); return; }
      const { status } = await res.json();
      setStatus(status === 'approved' ? 'approved'
        : status === 'pending' ? 'pending' : 'rejected');
    } catch { setStatus('error'); }
  }, []);

  useEffect(() => { if (purchaseId) verify(purchaseId); }, [purchaseId, verify]);

  if (status === 'loading') {
    return <div>Verifying payment...</div>;
  }

  if (status === 'approved') {
    return (
      <div>
        <h1>Payment Successful!</h1>
        <p>Thank you for your purchase.</p>
      </div>
    );
  }

  if (status === 'pending') {
    return (
      <div>
        <h1>Payment Pending</h1>
        <p>Your payment is being processed.</p>
        <p>You'll receive an email when confirmed.</p>
        <p>This may take 1-3 business days for offline payment methods.</p>
      </div>
    );
  }

  if (status === 'rejected') {
    return (
      <div>
        <h1>Payment Failed</h1>
        <p>Your payment could not be processed.</p>
        <p>Please try again or use a different payment method.</p>
      </div>
    );
  }

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Error</h1>
      <p>Could not verify payment status. Please contact support.</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export default function PaymentSuccessPage() {
  return <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}><PaymentResult /></Suspense>;
}
```

## Checklist

### Configuration

- [ ] `mercadopago` + `zod` installed
- [ ] `MERCADOPAGO_ACCESS_TOKEN` in `.env` (TEST token for dev, never `NEXT_PUBLIC_`)
- [ ] `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL` in `.env` (HTTPS in production)
- [ ] Database migration run (`purchases` + `purchase_items`)

### Backend Implementation

- [ ] DB helper implemented (`src/lib/db/purchases.ts`)
- [ ] MercadoPago client with `createPreference` and `getPayment`
- [ ] `/api/checkout` with Zod validation
- [ ] `/api/webhooks/mercadopago` with idempotency check
- [ ] `/api/purchases/[id]` for status verification

### Frontend Implementation

- [ ] Checkout hook with `useRef` guard (prevents double submit)
- [ ] Success page verifies status via API (not trusting redirect)
- [ ] Pending status UI for offline payments
- [ ] `useSearchParams` wrapped in `<Suspense>`
- [ ] Hydration guard for localStorage-based cart

### Production Readiness

- [ ] `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL` uses HTTPS
- [ ] `auto_return` enabled (only works with HTTPS)
- [ ] Webhook URL publicly accessible
- [ ] Production credentials (not TEST-)
- [ ] Statement descriptor set (max 22 chars)
- [ ] Error logging configured

## Critical Gotchas

For detailed solutions, see `references/troubleshooting.md`.

| Gotcha | Fix |
|--------|-----|
| `auto_return` + localhost = 400 error | Only set when URL starts with `https` |
| `user_email NOT NULL` + no email = 500 | Use `'pending@checkout'` placeholder; webhook updates it |
| `currency_id` doesn't match account country | Use correct currency (ARS for Argentina, BRL for Brazil, etc.) |
| Hydration mismatch (localStorage cart) | Add `mounted` state guard before rendering cart content |
| Double purchase on double-click | Use `useRef` guard, not just `useState` |
| Success page trusts redirect URL | Always verify via `/api/purchases/[id]` |
| Webhook duplicate updates | Check if purchase is already terminal before updating |
| Webhooks can't reach localhost | Use ngrok: `ngrok http 3000` |
| `useSearchParams` error | Wrap component in `<Suspense>` |
| Payment stuck in pending | Normal for offline methods (OXXO, Rapipago, Boleto) |
| Mixed test/production credentials | Never mix - use all TEST or all PROD |

## References

### Database Adapters
- `references/database-supabase.md` - Supabase DB helper implementation
- `references/database-prisma.md` - Prisma DB helper implementation
- `references/database-postgresql.md` - Raw PostgreSQL (pg, Drizzle, etc.) DB helper implementation

### Configuration
- `references/countries.md` - Currencies, test cards, payment methods by country
- `references/testing.md` - Complete testing guide with test cards and simulated results
- `references/mcp-server.md` - MercadoPago MCP Server for AI integration

### Help
- `references/troubleshooting.md` - 20+ common errors and solutions
- `references/usage-examples.md` - Ready-to-use prompt templates

### Assets
- `assets/migration.sql` - Database schema template (standard PostgreSQL)

### External Links
- [MercadoPago Checkout Pro Docs](https://www.mercadopago.com.ar/developers/es/docs/checkout-pro/landing)
- [MercadoPago Node SDK](https://github.com/mercadopago/sdk-nodejs)
- [Developer Panel](https://www.mercadopago.com/developers/panel/app)