Documentation

Everything you need to get started with Nezlu

What is Nezlu?

Nezlu is a local-first Stripe client — a desktop application that connects directly to your Stripe account and gives you a beautiful, fast interface to manage your business.

Key Points

  • Direct Connection — Nezlu talks directly to Stripe's API. Your data never passes through our servers.
  • Your API Key — You provide your own Stripe API key. We never see or store it.
  • Local Storage — All data is cached locally on your machine, encrypted with AES-256.
  • Works Offline — View your cached data even without internet. Sync when you're back online.

Getting Started

Get up and running in minutes with these simple steps.

Step 1: Create an Account

Visit the signup page to create your Nezlu account and choose a subscription plan.

Step 2: Download the App

After subscribing, download the desktop application from your dashboard:

Step 3: Sign In

Open Nezlu and sign in with your Nezlu account (the same email/password you used to subscribe).

Step 4: Connect Your Stripe Account

Enter your Stripe API key. We strongly recommend using a restricted key — see the detailed guide below.

Setting Up Your Stripe API Key

Your Stripe API key is what allows Nezlu to access your Stripe account. For maximum security, create a restricted key with only the permissions Nezlu needs.

⚠️ Never share your secret key
Your Stripe secret key (sk_live_...) has full access to your account. Always use a restricted key for third-party applications like Nezlu.

Creating a Restricted Key

1. Open Stripe Dashboard

  1. Go to dashboard.stripe.com
  2. Click Developers in the left sidebar
  3. Click API keys
  4. Click the + Create restricted key button

2. Name Your Key

Enter a descriptive name like Nezlu Desktop App so you can identify it later.

3. Set Permissions

Find each resource in the list and set the permission level. Here's what Nezlu needs, organized by category:

Core
Balance Read View account balance
Customers Read & Write View and manage customers
Products Read & Write View and manage products
Charges and Refunds Read & Write View and manage transactions
Payment Intents Read & Write View and create payments
Payment Methods Read View saved payment methods
Payouts Read View payout history
Disputes Read View disputes
Billing
Invoices Read & Write View and manage invoices
Subscriptions Read & Write View and manage subscriptions
Prices Read & Write View and manage pricing
Coupons Read & Write View and manage coupons
Promotion Codes Read & Write View and manage promo codes
Tax IDs Read View customer tax IDs
Checkout
Checkout Sessions Read & Write View and create checkout sessions
Payment Links Read & Write View and create payment links
All other resources None Not needed — leave disabled for security

API Documentation: Balance • Customers • Products • Invoices • Subscriptions • Checkout • Payment Links

💡 Read-Only Mode
If you only want to view data without making changes, set all permissions to Read only. You won't be able to create or update records, but your account is more protected.

4. Create and Copy Your Key

  1. Scroll down and click Create key
  2. Copy the key immediately — you won't be able to see it again!
  3. The key will look like: rk_live_abc123... or rk_test_abc123...

5. Enter Key in Nezlu

  1. Open the Nezlu desktop app
  2. Sign in with your Nezlu account
  3. Paste your restricted key when prompted
  4. Click Connect

Test Mode vs Live Mode

Stripe has two modes — use the right one for your situation:

Mode Key Prefix Use For
Test Mode rk_test_... Trying Nezlu, testing features, no real money
Live Mode rk_live_... Real transactions, actual customer data

You can switch between modes in Nezlu's settings at any time.

How Nezlu Works

Nezlu is a Stripe API client, not a separate service. Here's what that means:

1. Direct API Connection

When you view customers, products, or transactions in Nezlu, the app makes API calls directly to api.stripe.com. The data flows: Stripe → Your Computer. Our servers are never involved.

2. Your Key, Your Control

You create and manage your own Stripe API key. You can revoke it anytime from the Stripe dashboard. If you delete the key, Nezlu immediately loses access.

3. Local Caching

Nezlu caches data locally so the app feels fast. This data is encrypted and stored only on your machine. Clear it anytime from settings.

4. Subscription Validation

The only data we check is whether your Nezlu subscription is active. We never see your Stripe data, API key, or any customer information.

Security

We built Nezlu with security as the foundation, not an afterthought.

Zero-Knowledge Architecture

We have zero access to your Stripe data. Your API key is stored locally using Windows Credential Manager (or macOS Keychain), encrypted at the OS level. It never touches our servers.

AES-256-GCM Encryption

All cached data on your machine is encrypted with AES-256-GCM — the same standard used by banks, governments, and military organizations worldwide.

Minimal Permissions

We encourage using Stripe restricted keys with only the permissions you need. If you only want to view data, use read-only permissions. Nezlu will work fine with limited access.

Open Network Logs

Nezlu shows you exactly what API calls it makes. View the network log anytime to see every request to Stripe's servers.

No Telemetry

We don't track your usage, collect analytics, or phone home with your data. The app works offline after initial subscription validation.

Features

Dashboard Overview

See your balance, revenue trends, recent transactions, and key metrics at a glance. Customizable widgets let you focus on what matters.

Customer Management

View, search, and manage all your Stripe customers. See their complete history — payments, subscriptions, invoices, and metadata — in one place.

Product Catalog

Create and manage products and prices. Set up one-time purchases, recurring subscriptions, or usage-based billing.

Invoice Management

View all invoices, track payment status, and see upcoming charges. Filter by status, customer, or date range.

Subscription Management

Monitor active subscriptions, churn risk, and upcoming renewals. See MRR, growth trends, and subscriber analytics.

Real-Time Sync

Pull the latest data from Stripe with one click. Changes you make in Nezlu are immediately reflected in your Stripe account.

Offline Access

View your cached data even without internet. Perfect for reviewing customer info on flights or in areas with poor connectivity.

Fast Search

Instantly search across customers, products, invoices, and subscriptions. Find anything in milliseconds with local indexing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data sent to your servers?

No. Nezlu communicates directly with Stripe's API. Your Stripe data, API keys, and customer information never pass through our servers. We only verify your Nezlu subscription status.

What's the difference between Nezlu and the Stripe Dashboard?

Stripe's dashboard is a web app that requires internet and loads data each time. Nezlu is a native desktop app with local caching, offline access, faster performance, and a focused interface designed for daily use.

Can Nezlu access my bank account or move money?

No. Nezlu uses Stripe's API, which doesn't have direct bank access. Even with full permissions, the most Nezlu can do is manage your Stripe account — not your bank account. Payouts are still controlled by Stripe's security.

What if I revoke or delete my API key?

Nezlu immediately loses access to your Stripe account. Your locally cached data remains (encrypted), but no new data can be fetched and no changes can be made.

Can I use test mode?

Absolutely! Use a test mode API key (starting with rk_test_) to explore Nezlu with fake data. No real transactions will occur. You can switch between test and live mode anytime.

What happens if I cancel my Nezlu subscription?

You'll lose access to the desktop app at the end of your billing period. All your Stripe data remains in your Stripe account — we don't store or control it. You can re-subscribe anytime to regain access.

Can multiple people use the same API key?

Technically yes, but we recommend creating separate restricted keys for each user. This way you can track who did what and revoke individual access if needed.

Does Nezlu work on Mac?

macOS support is coming soon. Currently, Nezlu is available for Windows 10 and later (64-bit).

How do I get support?

Email us at support@nezlu.com. Annual subscribers receive priority support with faster response times.

Troubleshooting

API Key Not Working

If your API key isn't being accepted:

  1. Make sure you copied the entire key (they're long!)
  2. Check that the key hasn't been revoked in Stripe
  3. Verify the key has at least Read permission for Customers
  4. Try creating a new restricted key

Can't See Some Data

If certain sections are empty or showing errors, your API key might be missing permissions. Check the permissions table above and update your restricted key in Stripe.

Sync Issues

If data seems outdated:

  1. Click the refresh button to force a sync
  2. Check your internet connection
  3. Verify your API key is still valid in Stripe