Integration Architecture and Data Flow

Core Integration Components

The Stripe-Odoo integration employs a bidirectional architecture with three primary components. Odoo 18 serves as the central business operations hub, managing customers, products, and accounting. Stripe handles payment processing with its secure gateway and fraud detection systems. The connection layer uses webhooks for real-time notifications and API calls for data retrieval.

Odoo’s payment provider framework extends through custom module development. You create a new payment acquirer that implements Stripe’s Checkout API. This approach maintains Odoo’s native payment workflow while integrating Stripe’s advanced features. The module handles payment initialization through controller endpoints that redirect customers to Stripe-hosted checkout pages.

Data Flow Patterns

Payment initialization starts when a customer selects Stripe during Odoo checkout. Odoo generates a unique session ID and creates a pending sale order. The system redirects the customer to Stripe’s hosted checkout page with product details and total amount. Stripe processes the payment and captures the transaction through its payment processor network.

Webhooks deliver real-time payment events to your Odoo instance. Stripe sends HTTPS POST requests to your designated webhook endpoint for each payment state change. Your integration code processes these events and updates Odoo records accordingly. Successful payments trigger order confirmation and inventory reservation.

Synchronization Mechanisms

The integration implements idempotent webhook handling to prevent duplicate processing. Each Stripe event contains a unique identifier that your system tracks. Before processing any webhook, Odoo checks its event log for previous instances. This design ensures reliable operation even with duplicate webhook deliveries.

Scheduled jobs handle data reconciliation between the systems. A daily cron job fetches recent Stripe transactions that might have missed webhook notifications. Another job synchronizes customer data from Odoo to Stripe for recurring billing scenarios. These mechanisms provide backup synchronization beyond the real-time webhook system.

Architecture Considerations

Design your integration with webhook failure scenarios in mind. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff for temporary Odoo outages. Store webhook payloads in a queue system for asynchronous processing during peak loads. This approach maintains system reliability even under adverse conditions.

Consider multi-company configurations if your Odoo instance serves multiple businesses. Each company requires separate Stripe account configuration with independent webhook endpoints. The payment acquirer module must route transactions to the correct Stripe account based on the current company context. Proper isolation ensures financial data separation between business entities.

Step-by-Step Configuration

Stripe Account Preparation

Begin with Stripe account configuration for Odoo integration. Log into your Stripe dashboard and navigate to the Developers section. Create a new restricted key with specific permissions for payments and webhooks. Enable the “Read and write” scope for charges, payment intents, and customers. Generate a new webhook signing secret for endpoint verification.

Configure your Stripe webhook endpoint to point to your Odoo instance. Use the format https://your-odoo-domain.com/stripe/webhook for the endpoint URL. Select these essential events: payment_intent.succeeded, payment_intent.payment_failed, charge.refunded, and customer.subscription.updated. Stripe will send test events to validate your endpoint connectivity.

Odoo Module Development

Create a new custom Odoo module for Stripe integration. Define the module manifest with dependencies on payment, sale, and account modules. Create a new Python file for your payment acquirer model that extends PaymentProvider. Implement the required methods for payment processing and status handling.

Configure the payment acquirer form with Stripe-specific fields. Add configuration fields for publishable key, secret key, and webhook secret. Implement proper credential storage using Odoo’s encrypted fields for sensitive data. Create user interface elements that guide administrators through the setup process.

class PaymentStripe(models.Model):
    _inherit = 'payment.provider'

    code = fields.Char(default='stripe')
    stripe_publishable_key = fields.Char(string='Publishable Key', required=True)
    stripe_secret_key = fields.Char(string='Secret Key', required=True)
    stripe_webhook_secret = fields.Char(string='Webhook Secret', required=True)

    def _get_supported_currencies(self):
        return ['USD', 'EUR', 'GBP', 'CAD']

Controller Implementation

Develop web controllers that handle the payment flow. Create a payment initiation endpoint that creates Stripe Checkout Sessions. Implement a return controller that processes customers after Stripe checkout completion. Build the webhook endpoint that receives and verifies Stripe event notifications.

The webhook controller must verify request signatures using your webhook secret. Implement signature validation before processing any webhook payload. Parse the JSON event data and route to appropriate handlers based on event type. Maintain an event log to prevent duplicate processing.

@http.route('/stripe/webhook', type='json', auth='public', methods=['POST'], csrf=False)
def stripe_webhook(self):
    payload = request.httprequest.data
    sig_header = request.httprequest.headers.get('Stripe-Signature')
    
    try:
        event = stripe.Webhook.construct_event(
            payload, sig_header, self.stripe_webhook_secret
        )
    except ValueError as e:
        raise e
    except stripe.error.SignatureVerificationError as e:
        raise e
        
    self.process_stripe_event(event)
    return json.dumps({'status': 'success'})

Payment Flow Configuration

Configure Odoo’s payment system to recognize your Stripe integration. Enable the Stripe payment acquirer in your Odoo accounting settings. Set transaction fees and currency support according to your business requirements. Test the payment flow in Stripe’s test mode before going live.

Implement customer redirection to Stripe Checkout during payment processing. Generate unique session IDs that link Stripe payments to Odoo sales orders. Handle successful payments by verifying payment intent status before confirming orders. Manage failed payments with clear error messages and retry options.

Webhook Security Setup

Strengthen webhook security with additional verification measures. Implement IP whitelisting for Stripe’s webhook IP ranges. Add timestamp validation to reject old webhook events. Create a webhook event monitoring system that alerts on processing failures. Test webhook reliability with Stripe’s CLI tool before production deployment.

Configure webhook retry settings in your Stripe dashboard. Set reasonable retry intervals that match your system’s processing capacity. Monitor webhook success rates through Stripe’s dashboard metrics. Establish alerting for elevated webhook failure rates that might indicate system issues.

Common Configuration Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes during Stripe-Odoo configuration. Never use test mode keys in production environments, which causes payment processing failures. Ensure webhook endpoints use HTTPS in production for secure communication. Verify currency configuration matches between Stripe and Odoo to prevent conversion errors.

Test webhook connectivity from Stripe’s dashboard before processing live payments. Validate that all required event types are enabled for proper order synchronization. Confirm that your Odoo server clock synchronizes with NTP to prevent timestamp validation issues. Check that firewall rules permit inbound webhook connections from Stripe’s IP ranges.

Data Mapping and Transformation

Customer Data Synchronization

Stripe and Odoo maintain separate customer records that require careful mapping. Odoo’s res.partner model contains comprehensive customer data while Stripe’s Customer objects focus on payment information. Create bidirectional synchronization that preserves data integrity across both systems.

When a new customer completes a Stripe payment, Odoo creates a partner record from available information. Map Stripe’s customer email to Odoo’s partner email field. Use the customer name field for the partner name. Store the Stripe customer ID in a custom field on the partner record for future reference.

For existing Odoo customers making first-time Stripe payments, create Stripe Customer objects. Send partner name, email, and address information to Stripe during customer creation. Store the returned Stripe customer ID in Odoo for subsequent transactions. This approach enables Stripe’s customer portal features and subscription management.

Product and Price Alignment

Maintain consistent product information between Odoo’s product catalog and Stripe’s Product API. Odoo products contain detailed inventory and accounting data while Stripe products focus on payment presentation. Implement transformation logic that syncs essential product attributes.

Map Odoo product names to Stripe product names during checkout session creation. Use Odoo product descriptions for Stripe’s product metadata. Sync product images from Odoo to Stripe for consistent customer experience. Ensure price accuracy by converting Odoo product prices to Stripe’s currency format.

Transaction Data Mapping

Payment transactions require precise mapping between Stripe charges and Odoo account moves. Stripe’s PaymentIntent objects contain detailed payment method information while Odoo’s account.move records track accounting entries. Create transformation logic that converts Stripe data into proper journal items.

Map Stripe charge amounts to Odoo journal entry amounts, accounting for currency conversion. Transform Stripe fee structures into separate journal items for proper expense tracking. Convert Stripe’s payment method types to Odoo’s payment method classifications. Handle refund transactions by creating credit journal entries linked to original invoices.

Subscription Billing Integration

Recurring billing scenarios require complex mapping between Stripe subscriptions and Odoo contracts. Stripe’s subscription objects manage billing cycles and invoice generation while Odoo’s sale.subscription model tracks contract states. Implement synchronization that maintains consistency across both systems.

Transform Stripe subscription items to Odoo subscription lines with proper product mapping. Convert Stripe billing cycle anchors to Odoo’s invoice scheduling system. Map Stripe subscription status to Odoo contract states for accurate reporting. Handle subscription updates by modifying Odoo contracts and regenerating invoice schedules.

Address and Tax Handling

Customer address data requires special handling for tax calculation and compliance. Stripe collects minimal address information for payment processing while Odoo maintains detailed partner addresses. Implement transformation that enriches Stripe address data with Odoo’s comprehensive records.

Map Stripe’s address fields to Odoo’s partner address structure during customer creation. Use Odoo’s tax calculation engine to determine proper tax rates based on customer location. Transform Stripe tax ID information into Odoo’s partner tax fields for invoice compliance. Handle address updates by synchronizing changes between both systems.

Custom Field Extensions

Many businesses require custom field mapping beyond standard data models. Extend both Odoo and Stripe objects with custom fields for business-specific data. Implement transformation logic that preserves custom data during synchronization.

Add custom fields to Odoo’s partner model for Stripe-specific attributes like payment method preferences. Extend Stripe’s metadata fields with Odoo internal identifiers for better traceability. Create mapping rules that transform custom business data between the different field structures. Document all custom field mappings for maintenance purposes.

Error Handling and Resilience

Webhook Failure Scenarios

Webhook delivery failures represent the most common integration challenge. Stripe’s webhook system retries failed deliveries, but your integration must handle duplicates and out-of-order events. Implement idempotent processing that checks for existing events before taking action.

Create an event tracking system that records all processed webhook IDs. Before processing any webhook, query this tracking system for existing records. Log duplicate events for monitoring without executing business logic. Design your event handlers to process events in any sequence without data corruption.

Payment Dispute Management

Stripe payment disputes require immediate attention and specific handling in Odoo. When Stripe sends a dispute webhook, your integration must freeze related orders and notify appropriate teams. Implement dispute workflow that coordinates between finance and customer service departments.

Map Stripe dispute statuses to Odoo’s internal dispute tracking system. Create automated actions that place disputed orders on hold pending resolution. Generate dispute response tasks for customer service teams with relevant transaction details. Sync dispute outcomes between systems to maintain accurate financial records.

API Rate Limiting

Both Stripe and Odoo enforce API rate limits that can impact integration performance. Stripe’s rate limits vary by endpoint and account volume while Odoo’s limits depend on server configuration. Implement smart throttling that respects both systems’ limitations.

Add exponential backoff retry logic for rate limit responses from either API. Queue non-critical operations during peak usage periods to avoid limit violations. Monitor API usage metrics to identify patterns that trigger rate limiting. Implement circuit breaker patterns that fail gracefully during extended API outages.

Data Validation Errors

Data mismatches between systems cause validation failures during synchronization. Common issues include currency mismatches, missing required fields, and invalid reference IDs. Implement comprehensive validation that catches errors before processing.

Validate currency codes match between Stripe transactions and Odoo journals before creating accounting entries. Check for required customer fields before creating Odoo partner records. Verify product existence in Odoo before processing subscription line items. Log validation errors with sufficient context for troubleshooting.

Reconciliation Procedures

Despite robust integration, occasional manual reconciliation becomes necessary. Develop standardized procedures for identifying and resolving synchronization gaps. Create reconciliation reports that highlight discrepancies between Stripe and Odoo data.

Build automated reconciliation tools that compare Stripe balance transactions with Odoo accounting entries. Generate exception reports for transactions that exist in one system but not the other. Create manual correction workflows for finance teams to resolve discrepancies. Document common reconciliation scenarios and their resolution procedures.

Testing and Validation

Test Environment Configuration

Establish dedicated test environments for Stripe-Odoo integration validation. Create separate Stripe test accounts with test mode API keys. Configure a staging Odoo instance with sample data that mirrors production. Use Stripe’s test card numbers for payment simulation without actual charges.

Implement webhook testing with Stripe’s CLI tool for local development. Forward webhooks to your development environment for real-time testing. Create test data factories that generate realistic orders and customer records. Automate environment setup for consistent testing across team members.

Payment Flow Test Scenarios

Design comprehensive test cases that cover all payment flow variations. Test successful payments with various card types and currencies. Simulate failed payments due to insufficient funds and card declines. Validate partial refunds and full refunds processing through both systems.

Test subscription scenarios with trial periods and price changes. Validate webhook handling for subscription lifecycle events. Verify failed payment recovery for subscription billing. Test customer portal functionality for subscription management.

Webhook Reliability Testing

Verify webhook processing reliability under various conditions. Test duplicate webhook delivery handling by sending identical events multiple times. Simulate out-of-order event processing by delaying specific webhooks. Verify system behavior when webhooks arrive for non-existent resources.

Test webhook signature validation by modifying payloads and verifying rejection. Simulate slow processing by adding delays to webhook handlers. Verify queueing mechanisms handle webhook bursts without data loss. Test recovery procedures after extended webhook delivery failures.

Data Synchronization Validation

Create validation scripts that verify data consistency between Stripe and Odoo. Compare customer records between systems and flag discrepancies. Validate transaction amounts and dates match across accounting entries. Verify product and pricing information remains synchronized.

Implement automated synchronization checks that run as scheduled jobs. Generate data quality reports that highlight synchronization issues. Create alerting for data drift beyond acceptable thresholds. Document data correction procedures for identified discrepancies.

Performance and Load Testing

Assess integration performance under expected production loads. Simulate peak sales periods with concurrent payment processing. Measure webhook processing latency during high-volume events. Test API rate limit handling and graceful degradation.

Establish performance benchmarks for key integration operations. Monitor system resource usage during load testing to identify bottlenecks. Verify integration scalability through gradual load increase. Document performance characteristics for capacity planning.

Security Considerations

PCI Compliance Requirements

Stripe integration reduces PCI compliance scope but introduces specific security obligations. Stripe handles sensitive card data through its hosted checkout pages, but your integration must protect API keys and webhook endpoints. Implement key management that separates test and production credentials.

Store Stripe secret keys in Odoo’s encrypted configuration fields rather than code or databases. Restrict access to payment provider configuration to authorized administrators only. Implement key rotation procedures that update API keys without service interruption. Audit key usage to detect potential misuse.

Webhook Security Implementation

Webhook endpoints represent a critical security surface that requires robust protection. Verify webhook signatures using Stripe’s signing secrets to prevent spoofing. Implement timestamp validation to reject old webhook events that might represent replay attacks. Restrict webhook processing to Stripe’s official IP ranges.

Add rate limiting to webhook endpoints to prevent denial-of-service attacks. Log all webhook processing attempts for security monitoring. Implement alerting for suspicious webhook patterns like unexpected event types. Regularly review webhook security configuration as part of security audits.

Data Protection and Privacy

Customer payment data flows through your integration with specific privacy implications. Minimize data retention by storing only essential Stripe identifiers in Odoo. Implement data purging procedures for test transactions and development data. Encrypt sensitive customer information in both transit and storage.

Establish data access controls that limit payment information to authorized personnel only. Create audit trails for payment data access and modification. Implement GDPR-compliant data handling procedures for European customers. Document data flow maps for compliance reporting.

Authentication and Access Control

Secure both Stripe and Odoo accounts with strong authentication measures. Enable two-factor authentication for all Stripe account users with administrative access. Implement principle of least privilege for Odoo user roles accessing payment information. Regularly review and revoke unused API keys and access tokens.

Monitor both systems for suspicious authentication attempts. Implement session timeout policies for Odoo users with payment access. Create separation of duties between development and production credential management. Establish emergency access procedures for business continuity scenarios.

Performance Optimization

Webhook Processing Optimization

Webhook handling performance directly impacts payment confirmation speed. Implement asynchronous processing for non-critical webhook operations to reduce response times. Use background jobs for resource-intensive tasks like email notifications and reporting updates. Queue webhook payloads during peak loads to prevent system overload.

Monitor webhook processing latency through detailed performance metrics. Identify slow event handlers through code profiling and optimization. Implement horizontal scaling for webhook endpoints during high-volume periods. Use in-memory caching for frequently accessed reference data during webhook processing.

API Call Efficiency

Reduce unnecessary API calls between Odoo and Stripe to improve performance and avoid rate limits. Implement smart caching for Stripe product and customer information that changes infrequently. Batch API requests for operations that process multiple records simultaneously. Use webhooks instead of polling for real-time updates whenever possible.

Optimize Odoo database queries that support payment processing to reduce response times. Create database indexes on fields used in payment reconciliation queries. Implement connection pooling for Stripe API clients to reduce connection overhead. Monitor API usage patterns to identify optimization opportunities.

Database Optimization

Payment processing generates substantial database activity that requires optimization. Partition transaction tables by date to improve query performance for large datasets. Implement database archiving for historical payment data that exceeds business requirements. Use read replicas for reporting queries that analyze payment trends.

Optimize Odoo’s accounting module configuration for high-volume payment processing. Tune database parameters for write-intensive payment operations. Implement connection management that prevents database connection exhaustion during peaks. Monitor database performance metrics to identify emerging bottlenecks.

Caching Strategies

Implement multi-layer caching to reduce integration latency and system load. Use Redis for frequently accessed Stripe configuration data like product information and tax rates. Cache Odoo partner records during payment processing to avoid database lookups. Implement cache warming for critical data used in payment flows.

Design cache invalidation strategies that maintain data consistency between systems. Invalidate customer caches when Stripe webhooks indicate profile changes. Clear product caches when Odoo inventory updates affect pricing or availability. Monitor cache hit ratios to optimize cache sizing and retention policies.