DEV Community: Nicat Muzaffarli

Automate Your E-commerce Invoicing with PineBill

Nicat Muzaffarli — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:51:59 +0000

Running an e-commerce business means dealing with invoices constantly. Every order, subscription renewal, or service delivery needs documentation. Manually creating invoices doesn't scale.

PineBill offers a REST API that lets you automate the entire invoicing workflow. This guide covers the practical integration steps for e-commerce platforms and any application that needs programmatic invoice generation.

What PineBill Offers

PineBill is an invoicing SaaS with 23 API endpoints covering:

Invoices: Create, read, update invoices
Customers: Full CRUD operations
Products: Inventory management with 7 endpoints
Categories: Product organization
Payment Methods: Transaction processing options
Exchange Rates: Multi-currency support

The API follows OpenAPI 3.1 specification, uses Bearer token authentication, and runs on a global CDN with 99.99% uptime.

Getting Started

1. Get Your API Key

API access is available on:

Pro Plan ($29/month): 10,000 API calls/month
Enterprise Plan ($90/month): Unlimited API calls

2. Base URL and Authentication

All API requests go to:

https://api.pinebill.app

Include your API key in the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

Core Integrations for E-commerce

Creating an Invoice Programmatically

When a customer completes a purchase on your platform, trigger an invoice creation:

const createInvoice = async (orderData) => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.pinebill.app/invoices', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      products: orderData.productIds,
      customerID: orderData.customerId,
      paymentMethods: ['pm_card', 'pm_bank_transfer'],
      invoiceMode: 'PRODUCT',
      taxRate: 10,
      taxType: 'PERCENT',
      issueDate: new Date().toISOString().split('T')[0],
      currency: 'USD'
    })
  });

  return response.json();
};

Syncing Customers from Your Platform

When users register on your e-commerce site, create corresponding customer records in PineBill:

const syncCustomer = async (user) => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.pinebill.app/customers', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      name: user.fullName,
      email: user.email,
      phone: user.phone,
      address: user.billingAddress
    })
  });

  const customer = await response.json();
  // Store customer.id in your database for future invoices
  return customer;
};

Managing Products

Keep your product catalog in sync:

// Create a product
const createProduct = async (product) => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.pinebill.app/products', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      name: product.name,
      price: product.price,
      description: product.description,
      categoryId: product.categoryId
    })
  });

  return response.json();
};

// Toggle product status (active/inactive)
const toggleProductStatus = async (productId) => {
  await fetch(`https://api.pinebill.app/products/${productId}/toggle-status`, {
    method: 'PATCH',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });
};

// Duplicate a product
const duplicateProduct = async (productId) => {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.pinebill.app/products/${productId}/duplicate`, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });

  return response.json();
};

Multi-Currency Support

PineBill supports multiple currencies with real-time exchange rates:

const getExchangeRates = async () => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.pinebill.app/exchange-rates/latest', {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });

  return response.json();
};

Use this when creating invoices for international customers to display amounts in their local currency.

Real-World Integration Patterns

E-commerce Order Webhook Handler

// Express.js webhook handler example
app.post('/webhooks/order-completed', async (req, res) => {
  const order = req.body;

  try {
    // 1. Check if customer exists, create if not
    let customer = await findCustomerByEmail(order.customer.email);
    if (!customer) {
      customer = await syncCustomer(order.customer);
    }

    // 2. Map order items to PineBill product IDs
    const productIds = await mapOrderItemsToProducts(order.items);

    // 3. Create invoice
    const invoice = await createInvoice({
      productIds,
      customerId: customer.id
    });

    // 4. Store invoice reference
    await saveInvoiceReference(order.id, invoice.invoiceNumber);

    res.status(200).json({ success: true, invoiceNumber: invoice.invoiceNumber });
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Invoice creation failed:', error);
    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Failed to create invoice' });
  }
});

Subscription Platform Integration

For SaaS or subscription businesses, automate recurring invoices:

// Cron job for monthly billing
const processMonthlySubscriptions = async () => {
  const activeSubscriptions = await getActiveSubscriptions();

  for (const subscription of activeSubscriptions) {
    const invoice = await fetch('https://api.pinebill.app/invoices', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        products: [subscription.productId],
        customerID: subscription.customerId,
        invoiceMode: 'PRODUCT',
        taxRate: subscription.taxRate,
        taxType: 'PERCENT',
        issueDate: new Date().toISOString().split('T')[0],
        currency: subscription.currency
      })
    });

    // Send invoice notification to customer
    await notifyCustomer(subscription.email, invoice);
  }
};

Batch Invoice Retrieval

Pull invoice data for reporting or accounting sync:

const getInvoices = async (filters = {}) => {
  const params = new URLSearchParams(filters);

  const response = await fetch(`https://api.pinebill.app/invoices?${params}`, {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });

  return response.json();
};

// Get paid invoices for accounting
const paidInvoices = await getInvoices({ status: 'paid', limit: 100 });

API Endpoint Reference

Endpoint	Methods	Description
`/invoices`	GET, POST	List and create invoices
`/invoices/:id`	GET, PUT	Get and update specific invoice
`/customers`	GET, POST	List and create customers
`/customers/:id`	GET, PUT, DELETE	Manage specific customer
`/products`	GET, POST	List and create products
`/products/:id`	GET, PUT, DELETE	Manage specific product
`/products/:id/toggle-status`	PATCH	Toggle product active status
`/products/:id/duplicate`	POST	Duplicate a product
`/categories`	GET, POST	List and create categories
`/categories/:id`	GET, PUT, DELETE	Manage specific category
`/payment-methods`	GET	List available payment methods
`/exchange-rates/latest`	GET	Get current exchange rates

Best Practices

Store external IDs: Map your platform's user and product IDs to PineBill customer and product IDs. This prevents duplicate records and speeds up invoice creation.

Validate before creating: Check if customers and products exist before creating invoices. Use GET endpoints to verify records first.

Wrapping Up

PineBill's API gives you everything needed to automate invoicing for e-commerce platforms. The straightforward REST endpoints, multi-currency support, and reasonable pricing (API access starts at $29/month) make it practical for small to mid-sized businesses.

Full API documentation is available at api.pinebill.app/docs.

Start with the 14-day free trial to test your integration before committing to a plan.

Have questions about integrating PineBill? Drop a comment below or check the PineBill API documentation for more details.

12 Free Developer Tools I Built For Developers (No Sign-Up Required)

Nicat Muzaffarli — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 01:32:40 +0000

As a developer, I spend a lot of time switching between different tools for formatting, encoding, testing, and debugging. After years of juggling multiple websites and extensions, I decided to build a collection of tools that I actually use every day.

Here are 12 essential developer utilities that have become part of my daily workflow. Best part? They're all free, require no sign-up, and respect your privacy.

🔐 1. JWT Debugger

Ever received a JWT token and needed to quickly decode it to see what's inside?

Try JWT Debugger →

What it does:

Decodes JSON Web Tokens instantly
Verifies token signatures
Shows header, payload, and signature separately
Perfect for debugging authentication issues

When I use it:
Working with APIs that use JWT authentication, debugging login issues, or verifying token contents before making requests.

📝 2. JSON Formatter & Validator

Dealing with minified JSON from API responses is painful. This tool has saved me countless hours.

Try JSON Formatter →

What it does:

Validates JSON syntax instantly
Beautifies minified JSON
Shows clear error messages
Collapses/expands nested objects

When I use it:
Every time I work with API responses, config files, or need to quickly validate JSON structure.

// Before: {"name":"John","age":30,"city":"NYC"}
// After:
{
  "name": "John",
  "age": 30,
  "city": "NYC"
}

🔤 3. Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Need to encode images for CSS or decode base64 strings? This tool handles both.

Try Base64 Tool →

What it does:

Encodes text and files to Base64
Decodes Base64 strings
Supports image preview
Works with large files

When I use it:
Embedding images in CSS, working with data URIs, or decoding base64-encoded content from APIs.

🔍 4. Regex Tester

Regular expressions are powerful but tricky. This tool helps me test them in real-time.

Try Regex Tester →

What it does:

Tests regex patterns in real-time
Highlights matches
Shows capture groups
Provides common regex examples

When I use it:
Form validation, text parsing, search and replace operations, or debugging complex regex patterns.

🗄️ 5. SQL Formatter

Reading minified SQL queries is a nightmare. This formatter makes them human-readable again.

Try SQL Formatter →

What it does:

Beautifies SQL queries
Adds proper indentation
Supports multiple SQL dialects
Makes complex queries readable

When I use it:
Reviewing database queries, debugging slow queries, or making SQL more maintainable.

/* Before */
SELECT users.name,orders.total FROM users JOIN orders ON users.id=orders.user_id WHERE orders.total>100;

/* After */
SELECT 
  users.name,
  orders.total
FROM users
JOIN orders ON users.id = orders.user_id
WHERE orders.total > 100;

⏰ 6. Cron Expression Generator

Setting up scheduled tasks? This tool generates cron expressions without memorizing the syntax.

Try Cron Generator →

What it does:

Creates cron expressions visually
Explains schedules in plain English
Shows next execution times
Supports all cron formats

When I use it:
Setting up automated tasks, database backups, scheduled reports, or any time-based automation.

🔓 7. Cron Expression Decoder

Already have a cron expression but forgot what it does? This decoder explains it.

Try Cron Decoder →

What it does:

Decodes existing cron expressions
Explains in human-readable format
Shows upcoming execution times
Validates cron syntax

When I use it:
Understanding existing cron jobs, debugging scheduled tasks, or documenting automation.

📦 8. JavaScript/TypeScript Minifier

Reduce bundle sizes by minifying your JavaScript and TypeScript code.

Try JS Minifier →

What it does:

Minifies JavaScript and TypeScript
Removes comments and whitespace
Reduces file size significantly
Preserves code functionality

When I use it:
Optimizing production builds, reducing bundle sizes, or preparing code for deployment.

🎨 9. CSS Flexbox Generator

Flexbox is powerful but the syntax can be confusing. This visual generator makes it easy.

Try Flexbox Generator →

What it does:

Generates flexbox CSS visually
Live preview of layouts
Exports ready-to-use code
Explains each property

When I use it:
Creating responsive layouts, learning flexbox properties, or quickly prototyping designs.

🔢 10. UUID Generator

Need unique identifiers? This generates various UUID versions instantly.

Try UUID Generator →

What it does:

Generates UUID v1, v4, and more
Creates multiple UUIDs at once
Bulk generation support
Copy with one click

When I use it:
Creating database primary keys, generating unique filenames, or testing systems that require UUIDs.

🧪 11. Mock Data Generator

Testing with realistic data? This generates mock data for your projects.

Try Mock Data Generator →

What it does:

Generates realistic test data
Supports multiple data types
Bulk generation
Customizable formats

When I use it:
Populating test databases, UI testing, API development, or demonstrating features.

✅ 12. Checksum Generator

Verify file integrity and generate checksums for data validation.

Try Checksum Generator →

What it does:

Generates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 checksums
Verifies file integrity
Supports multiple hash algorithms
Fast processing

When I use it:
Verifying downloaded files, ensuring data integrity, or generating hashes for security purposes.

About the author:
I'm Nicat, a developer who loves building useful tools. Follow me here on DEV for more developer tips and free tool updates!

🔗 Website: yaot.io
💻 GitHub: @glockx