Pi Network Ecosystem & Payment Scope Issue

[goldwyn95]

Pi Network Ecosystem & Payment Scope Issue

Issue Summary

App submitted to Pi Ecosystem but not appearing in app directory search, and uncertain if this is blocking payment scope functionality.

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🔴 Problem 1: App Not Appearing in Ecosystem Directory

Status: App submitted via Developer Portal, but cannot find it in Pi Browser app search

What I've Done:

• ✅ Submitted app through Pi Developer Portal
• ✅ App is live and accessible via direct URL: spontanica.vercel.app
• ✅ App works in Pi Browser when accessed directly
• ❌ App does NOT appear when searching in Pi Browser's "Explore Apps" section

Questions:

1. How long does it take for approved apps to appear in the ecosystem directory?
2. Is there a "pending review" status I should be checking?
3. Do I need to complete additional verification steps?
4. Is there a way to check my app's submission status?

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🔴 Problem 2: Payment Scope Potentially Blocked

App Details:

• Name: Spontanica
• Framework: React (Vite) + Firebase
• SDK: @pinetwork-js/sdk v2.0
• Deployment: Vercel
• Environment: Pi Testnet (sandbox mode)

Payment Implementation:

// Using official SDK pattern
const payment = await window.Pi.createPayment({
  amount: 1,
  memo: "Spontanica Account Verification",
  metadata: { type: 'verification', uid: user.uid }
}, {
  onReadyForServerApproval,
  onReadyForServerCompletion,
  onCancel,
  onError
})

Current Behavior:

• Authentication works (username scope granted successfully)
• User can sign in with Pi Network
• Payment permission prompt appears
• User grants payments scope in authentication popup
• BUT: Unclear if payments will actually work without ecosystem approval

Questions:

1. Can payment scope work in testnet before ecosystem approval?
2. Does app need to be approved/visible in ecosystem for payments to process?
3. Are testnet payments blocked until mainnet approval?
4. Should I see any specific errors if my app isn't properly registered?

---

🔧 Technical Setup

Backend API Endpoints:

• ✅ /api/approve-payment - Implemented
• ✅ /api/complete-payment - Implemented
• ✅ All endpoints use Pi API Key from environment variables
• ✅ Serverless functions on Vercel

SDK Configuration:

<script src="https://sdk.minepi.com/pi-sdk.js"></script>
Pi.init({ 
  version: "2.0", 
  sandbox: true // Using testnet
})

Authentication Flow:

const scopes = ['username', 'payments']
const auth = await window.Pi.authenticate(scopes, onIncompletePaymentFound)
// Returns: { accessToken, user: { uid, username }, scopes: ['username', 'payments'] }

---

📊 What I Need Help With

1. Where can I check my ecosystem submission status?

   • Is there a dashboard showing approval progress?
   • How do I know if my app was rejected vs pending?

2. Payment scope blockers:

   • Confirm if ecosystem approval is required for testnet payments
   • Clarify the relationship between app directory visibility and payment functionality
   • Guidance on testing payments before mainnet approval

3. Developer Portal clarification:

   • What does "Submit to Ecosystem" actually enable?
   • Is there a review process? How long does it typically take?
   • Are there common rejection reasons I should check for?

4. Testing in Testnet:

   • Can I fully test the payment flow in sandbox mode?
   • Will test-Pi transactions work without ecosystem listing?
   • How do I verify my backend is correctly integrated?

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🔍 Additional Context

What I've Verified:

• ✅ App accessible in Pi Browser via direct URL
• ✅ Pi SDK loads correctly (window.Pi available)
• ✅ Authentication works with username scope
• ✅ Payment permission checkbox appears in auth popup
• ✅ Users can grant payments scope (shown in auth response)
• ✅ API Key is valid and set in environment variables
• ✅ Backend endpoints respond correctly to test calls

What's Uncertain:

• ❓ Will Pi.createPayment() actually process in testnet?
• ❓ Is my app properly registered despite not appearing in search?
• ❓ Are there additional verification steps after submission?

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🙏 Request for Documentation

It would be really helpful to have clearer documentation on:

1. Ecosystem submission lifecycle:

   • Submission → Review → Approval process
   • Expected timelines for each stage
   • How to check status programmatically

2. Testnet vs Mainnet capabilities:

   • What features work in testnet without approval?
   • When does ecosystem approval become required?
   • Testing best practices before mainnet deployment

3. Payment scope requirements:

   • Prerequisites for payment scope to function
   • Common integration issues and solutions
   • Debugging guide for payment failures

---

🔗 References

• SDK Documentation: https://github.com/pi-apps/pi-platform-docs
• Developer Portal: https://develop.pi
• My App: https://spontanica.vercel.app
• SDK Version: @pinetwork-js/sdk v2.0

---

Environment:

• Pi Browser Version: [Latest as of May 2026]
• Testing Device: [Android/iOS]
• Backend: Node.js serverless functions (Vercel)
• Database: Firebase Firestore

Thank you for any guidance! Happy to provide more details or test specific scenarios.