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Need guidance moving DocuSign integration from developer demo to production after purchasing Developer Starter plan

  • March 26, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 80 views
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New Voice
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Hello everyone,

I am currently integrating the DocuSign API for a client project and would like some guidance on the correct process to move from the developer demo environment to production.

Here is what I have done so far.

Step 1 – Create developer account
I created a developer account using my email: abc@gmail.com.

Inside the developer dashboard I created an application and generated the required credentials:

• Integration Key (Client ID)
• Account ID
• API base URL
• RSA private key for JWT authentication

I have already tested the integration in the demo environment and API calls are working correctly.

Step 2 – Purchase Developer Starter plan
Next I plan to purchase the Developer Starter plan from the DocuSign plans page:

https://ecom.docusign.com/plans-and-pricing/developer

The purchase will also use the same email (abc@gmail.com). After completing the payment I expect to receive a confirmation email.

My question here is:
After purchasing the plan, will I receive a link or instructions to activate the production account?

Step 3 – Connect production account to the integration
After the purchase, I plan to go back to the developer portal.

My understanding is:

• Open Apps and Keys
• Select the existing Integration Key
• Click Go Live / Select Live Account
• Log in with the same email
• Select the production account

My questions are:

  1. Is this the correct process to connect the integration key to the production account?

  2. Do I need to complete the Go-Live review before linking the production account?

  3. After selecting the live account, what is the next step to start sending real envelopes?

  4. Do I need to update anything in the app such as OAuth base URLs or accountId?

  5. Is there any additional configuration required before production API calls work?

This integration is being demonstrated in front of a client, so I want to make sure I follow the correct steps when moving from the demo environment to production.

Any guidance from developers who have completed this process would be very helpful.

Thank you.

Best answer by JohnSantos

​@Deed 

✅ 1. After purchasing – do you get activation instructions?

Yes — typically you will:

  • Receive an email confirming your purchase
  • Your production (live) account is automatically created
  • You log in at: https://account.docusign.com using the same email

👉 There is no special “activation link” required in most cases — just log in and you’re good to go.

✅ 2. Is your Go-Live understanding correct?

Your flow is mostly correct, but needs one important clarification:

✔️ Correct Flow

  1. Go to Apps and Keys (Developer Portal)
  2. Select your Integration Key
  3. Click “Go Live”
  4. Complete Go-Live requirements (more below)
  5. After approval → your integration key is promoted to production
  6. Then authenticate against your production account

👉 Key point:
You don’t just “select live account” — you must complete Go-Live first.

🚨 3. Do you need Go-Live review before using production?

YES — this is required.

You cannot use production APIs until Go-Live is approved.

Go-Live typically requires:

  • Redirect URI configured
  • Proper OAuth flow (Authorization Code or JWT)
  • Privacy policy URL
  • Terms of service URL

Without this:
❌ Production tokens will fail
❌ API calls won’t work

✅ 4. After Go-Live → how to start sending real envelopes

Once approved:

Step-by-step:

  1. Change your base URL to production:
    • https://www.docusign.net/restapi → ❌ (demo)
    • https://www.docusign.com/restapi → ✅ (production)
  2. Authenticate again (OAuth/JWT)
  3. Call:
    • GET /oauth/userinfo → to get accountId + baseUri
  4. Use that baseUri for all API calls
  5. Send envelope via:
    • POST /accounts/{accountId}/envelopes

🔧 5. Do you need to update anything in your app?

YES — this is critical.

You must update:

1. Base URLs

  • Demo → account-d.docusign.com
  • Prod → account.docusign.com

2. API Base Path

  • Use the baseUri from /userinfo
    👉 Don’t hardcode this

3. accountId

  • Production accountId is different from demo
  • Always retrieve dynamically

⚠️ 6. Additional configuration required before production works

Here’s what most people miss:

✔️ Checklist

  • Go-Live approved ✅
  • OAuth configured for production ✅
  • Correct redirect URIs ✅
  • Use production base URLs ✅
  • New access token generated in prod ✅

Optional but recommended:

  • Create production templates
  • Set up connect/webhooks if needed
  • Verify email/domain settings (if using branding)

🧠 7. Common pitfalls (important for your demo)

  • ❌ Using demo accountId in production
  • ❌ Forgetting to switch OAuth base URL
  • ❌ Not re-authenticating after Go-Live
  • ❌ Hardcoding REST base URL instead of using userinfo

💡 Pro Tip for your client demo

Before the demo:

  • Run a full production test envelope
  • Confirm:
    • Emails deliver correctly
    • Signing works
    • Envelope status updates

📌 Summary

  • ✔️ Your understanding is mostly correct
  • ❗ You must complete Go-Live before production works
  • ✔️ After Go-Live: switch URLs, re-authenticate, use new accountId
  • ✔️ Use /userinfo to dynamically configure API calls

4 replies

JohnSantos
Guru
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  • JohnSantosGuru
  • Guru
  • Answer
  • March 26, 2026

​@Deed 

✅ 1. After purchasing – do you get activation instructions?

Yes — typically you will:

  • Receive an email confirming your purchase
  • Your production (live) account is automatically created
  • You log in at: https://account.docusign.com using the same email

👉 There is no special “activation link” required in most cases — just log in and you’re good to go.

✅ 2. Is your Go-Live understanding correct?

Your flow is mostly correct, but needs one important clarification:

✔️ Correct Flow

  1. Go to Apps and Keys (Developer Portal)
  2. Select your Integration Key
  3. Click “Go Live”
  4. Complete Go-Live requirements (more below)
  5. After approval → your integration key is promoted to production
  6. Then authenticate against your production account

👉 Key point:
You don’t just “select live account” — you must complete Go-Live first.

🚨 3. Do you need Go-Live review before using production?

YES — this is required.

You cannot use production APIs until Go-Live is approved.

Go-Live typically requires:

  • Redirect URI configured
  • Proper OAuth flow (Authorization Code or JWT)
  • Privacy policy URL
  • Terms of service URL

Without this:
❌ Production tokens will fail
❌ API calls won’t work

✅ 4. After Go-Live → how to start sending real envelopes

Once approved:

Step-by-step:

  1. Change your base URL to production:
    • https://www.docusign.net/restapi → ❌ (demo)
    • https://www.docusign.com/restapi → ✅ (production)
  2. Authenticate again (OAuth/JWT)
  3. Call:
    • GET /oauth/userinfo → to get accountId + baseUri
  4. Use that baseUri for all API calls
  5. Send envelope via:
    • POST /accounts/{accountId}/envelopes

🔧 5. Do you need to update anything in your app?

YES — this is critical.

You must update:

1. Base URLs

  • Demo → account-d.docusign.com
  • Prod → account.docusign.com

2. API Base Path

  • Use the baseUri from /userinfo
    👉 Don’t hardcode this

3. accountId

  • Production accountId is different from demo
  • Always retrieve dynamically

⚠️ 6. Additional configuration required before production works

Here’s what most people miss:

✔️ Checklist

  • Go-Live approved ✅
  • OAuth configured for production ✅
  • Correct redirect URIs ✅
  • Use production base URLs ✅
  • New access token generated in prod ✅

Optional but recommended:

  • Create production templates
  • Set up connect/webhooks if needed
  • Verify email/domain settings (if using branding)

🧠 7. Common pitfalls (important for your demo)

  • ❌ Using demo accountId in production
  • ❌ Forgetting to switch OAuth base URL
  • ❌ Not re-authenticating after Go-Live
  • ❌ Hardcoding REST base URL instead of using userinfo

💡 Pro Tip for your client demo

Before the demo:

  • Run a full production test envelope
  • Confirm:
    • Emails deliver correctly
    • Signing works
    • Envelope status updates

📌 Summary

  • ✔️ Your understanding is mostly correct
  • ❗ You must complete Go-Live before production works
  • ✔️ After Go-Live: switch URLs, re-authenticate, use new accountId
  • ✔️ Use /userinfo to dynamically configure API calls
Welcome to the DocuSign Community! Your feedback is highly valued. If you find my response helpful, please give it a "Like" and consider marking it as the "Best Answer" to assist others with similar issues.
Leandro.Reis
Docusign Employee
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  • Leandro.ReisDocusign Employee
  • Docusign Employee
  • March 27, 2026

Hi ​@Deed,

I hope this message finds you well.

​@JohnSantos answer above was quite complete, I would just add our official documentation for the Go-Live process and the after Go-Live. Besides that, if you have issues during the process, which should be quite straightforward, I’d recommend opening a support case with the Developer Support team and we can guide you based on the information provided.

See the documentation below:

I hope the information above is useful.

Regards,

Leandro Reis

Leandro Reis | Developer Support at Docusign
D
New Voice
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  • DeedNew Voice
  • Author
  • New Voice
  • April 7, 2026

Hello everyone,

I am currently integrating the DocuSign API for a client project and would like some guidance on the correct process to move from the developer demo environment to production.

Here is what I have done so far.

Step 1 – Create developer account
I created a developer account using my email: abc@gmail.com.

Inside the developer dashboard I created an application and generated the required credentials:

• Integration Key (Client ID)
• Account ID
• API base URL
• RSA private key for JWT authentication

I have already tested the integration in the demo environment and API calls are working correctly.

Step 2 – Purchase Developer Starter plan
Next I plan to purchase the Developer Starter plan from the DocuSign plans page:

https://ecom.docusign.com/plans-and-pricing/developer

The purchase will also use the same email (abc@gmail.com). After completing the payment I expect to receive a confirmation email.

My question here is:
After purchasing the plan, will I receive a link or instructions to activate the production account?

Step 3 – Connect production account to the integration
After the purchase, I plan to go back to the developer portal.

My understanding is:

• Open Apps and Keys
• Select the existing Integration Key
• Click Go Live / Select Live Account
• Log in with the same email
• Select the production account

My questions are:

  1. Is this the correct process to connect the integration key to the production account?

  2. Do I need to complete the Go-Live review before linking the production account?

  3. After selecting the live account, what is the next step to start sending real envelopes?

  4. Do I need to update anything in the app such as OAuth base URLs or accountId?

  5. Is there any additional configuration required before production API calls work?

This integration is being demonstrated in front of a client, so I want to make sure I follow the correct steps when moving from the demo environment to production.

Any guidance from developers who have completed this process would be very helpful.

Thank you.

After purchasing what will be my password to login

D
New Voice
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • DeedNew Voice
  • Author
  • New Voice
  • April 7, 2026

After purchasing what will be my password to login

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