Pi Network Releases New Developer Library to Boost Development in 2026

Pi Network has released a new developer library that enables developers to integrate PI payments into applications in under ten minutes. The library bundles the Pi SDK with backend APIs into a single setup, reducing the number of steps required to add transactions. This release directly addresses a common development bottleneck and makes Pi payment integration faster, more consistent, and easier to maintain across supported frameworks.

The update reflects Pi Network’s broader strategy of prioritizing functional applications that can process real transactions. By simplifying payment integration, developers can focus on application logic, user experience, and reliability rather than on payment infrastructure.

A simplified Pi payment integration process

Before this release, developers typically needed to configure multiple components separately to support Pi payments, including frontend scripts, backend endpoints, and authentication logic. The new developer library consolidates these components into a guided installation process.

The library provides default payment flows that handle user authentication, transaction initiation, and payment confirmation. This reduces configuration errors and ensures applications adhere to consistent standards across the Pi ecosystem.

At launch, the library supports commonly used development stacks:

• Frontend support for JavaScript and React
• Backend support for Ruby on Rails and Next.js

This allows many existing web applications to add Pi payments without restructuring their technology stack.

Registering an app in the Pi ecosystem

Before integrating payments, developers must register their application within the Pi ecosystem using the Pi mining app.

The setup process starts in the Pi Utilities section of the app:

1. Open the Pi mining app and navigate to Pi Utilities.
2. Select Develop to view existing apps or create a new one.
3. Select Create New App, then provide an app name and description.
4. Keep the app on the Pi testnet for development.
5. Enter two required URLs:

• A development URL, such as http://localhost:3000
• An external HTTPS URL placeholder

After submitting this information, developers must complete two required configurations:

• Assign a wallet to the app by following the in-app wallet setup process.
• Generate an API key that the backend uses to authenticate transactions.

To use the sandbox environment, developers must authorize it through Pi Utilities by entering the code provided during the first sandbox session. This step links the local development environment to the Pi testnet.

Integrating Pi payments in a Rails application

The developer library includes a dedicated Rails gem that installs payment functionality with minimal setup.

Initial Rails setup

Developers begin by creating a standard Rails application. After adding the Pi SDK Rails gem to the Gemfile and running bundle install, a generator command installs the required components. This process sets up:

• Frontend payment controls
• Backend routes for transaction handling
• Default controllers for authentication and callbacks

The generator supports both Stimulus and React implementations within Rails.

Adding a Pi buy button

In a Stimulus-based Rails app, developers add a button linked to the Pi payment controller. The button is disabled by default and becomes active only after the user is authenticated via Pi.

When clicked, the button initiates a Pi transaction through the sandbox. During sandbox testing, users confirm transactions with a passphrase rather than biometric authentication. After confirmation, the transaction completes and returns a success response to the application.

Storing and tracking transactions

The library also supports local transaction tracking. Developers can generate models to store:

• User data
• Order data
• Pi transaction records

Each transaction record includes a payment identifier tied to the Pi blockchain, the transaction state, and references to the associated user and order. Built-in rake tasks allow developers to list transactions and review payment states directly from the application.

This structure allows Pi payments to integrate cleanly with existing business logic and databases.

React-based Rails integration

For Rails applications using React, the library offers a React-specific installation option. Instead of Stimulus controllers, the generator installs React components that handle Pi payments.

The React-based Pi button follows the same authentication and transaction flow as the Stimulus version. From the user’s perspective, the experience is identical, while developers can maintain a React-driven frontend architecture.

Both Stimulus and React implementations can be completed in under ten minutes using the provided defaults.

Integrating Pi payments with Next.js

The developer library also supports Next.js, a widely used framework for modern JavaScript applications.

Next.js setup workflow

Developers start by creating a standard Next.js application using default settings. After installing the Pi SDK for Next.js, the package adds:

• A Pi payment button component
• API routes required to process transactions

To finalize setup, developers make small adjustments to the application layout by adding the Pi SDK script and importing the Pi button into a page.

After the server is built and started, the app can process Pi transactions in the sandbox using the same authorization flow as Rails-based apps.

Reducing development friction

Across all supported frameworks, the core benefit of the new library is reduced friction in development. Developers no longer need to manually connect frontend payment buttons with backend transaction logic. The SDK provides a working baseline that can be customized as needed.

This approach supports Pi Network’s emphasis on practical applications that are ready for user interaction. Faster integration increases the likelihood that apps progress beyond prototypes and support real in-app payments.

Impact on the Pi app ecosystem

By standardizing payment integration, Pi Network is encouraging developers to build applications that are transactional, testable, and operational. The library promotes:

• Consistent payment flows across apps
• Reliable transaction tracking
• Easier maintenance and debugging

For users, this increases the number of apps that can support Pi payments. For developers, it reduces setup time while preserving flexibility.

Conclusion

Pi Network’s new developer library consolidates payment tools into a single, streamlined setup, reducing integration time and complexity. With support for Rails, React, and Next.js, the library provides developers with a clear path to adding Pi payments while maintaining control over application logic and data. 

The release strengthens the technical foundation of the Pi ecosystem by making transactional apps easier to build, test, and maintain. Developers interested in implementing the Pi Payments feature in their applications should refer to the Pi Network YouTube video for more information. 

Sources:

• Pi Network Blog: Integrate Pi Payments in Pi Apps in Under 10 Minutes with New Pi Library
• YouTube: Rails and Next.js Demo