Get started
This quickstart walks through the happy path from both sides of the product: creating a link in the **Customer Hub**, and creating one programmatically via the **API**. Pick the scenario that matches how you work.

## Customer Hub quickstart

No code needed. You'll create a link, copy its URL, and confirm a successful payment — all from the Customer Hub.

1. Open **Payment Links** in the [Customer Hub](https://lh.shift4.com/internet-payments/payment-links/manage).
2. Click **"Add Link" or select a preset** and the "Add Payment Link" page will appear.

3. **Enter the name and amount.** These fields are required.
4. **Enter a description** or omit the field by toggling the **Include Description** switch. The description is visible to the customer during checkout.

5. **Save the link.** You will see it on the Payment Links list. The link becomes active immediately.
6. **Copy the URL** from the newly created row's Payment Link column.

7. **Share it** with your customer via any channel — email, chat, anywhere you can paste a URL.
8. **Confirm the payment** once the customer pays. The link's detail view lists all charges.



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**If you need…**

- If you need shipping/billing/custom fields → [Create link](/guides/core-concepts/payment-links/guides/create-link)
- If you need the link to expire, be scheduled, or be single-use/multi-use → [Create link](/guides/core-concepts/payment-links/guides/create-link)
- If you need to reconcile to an invoice/order → [Monitor and reconcile](/guides/core-concepts/payment-links/guides/monitor-and-reconcile)
- If you need email notifications → [Share](/guides/core-concepts/payment-links/guides/share)
- If you need to set the return URL, payment methods, or page appearance → [Customise and configure](/guides/core-concepts/payment-links/guides/customise-and-configure)


## Next steps

Lifecycle and statuses
Understand the states a payment link moves through.

Link types
Compare fixed-amount and customer-chosen amount links.

Create link
Add expiry dates, address collection, and more configuration options.

Share
Distribute your link and send email notifications to customers.