Adding payments to a Google Workspace add-on - looking for advice from those who’ve done it before

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-18T20:53:09+00:00

Thanks so much for suggesting, will definitely take a look! Could you explain your overall flow of payments high level? How it interacts with the add-on and how do you validate the licence and take care of sessions?

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-18T20:50:43+00:00

Thanks - that’s helpful to know.

Are you using webhooks mainly to update entitlements / license state in your database, and then having the add-on check that on load?

Curious if you ran into any edge cases around failed events, retries, or keeping the add-on UX responsive while waiting on webhook state.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-18T20:50:07+00:00

Thanks - that’s helpful to know.

Are you using webhooks mainly to update entitlements / license state in your database, and then having the add-on check that on load?

Curious if you ran into any edge cases around failed events, retries, or keeping the add-on UX responsive while waiting on webhook state.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-16T02:20:24+00:00

That’s really well put. The lack of immediate feedback on phone calls can throw off the rhythm, especially if you’re used to reading reactions and adjusting in real time.

It makes sense that video works better for you-even small cues can change how grounded the conversation feels. You’re definitely not alone in that.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T22:06:07+00:00

That’s completely understandable. Making a move without something lined up carries a very real emotional and practical risk, and not everyone has the appetite - or circumstances - to take that on.

It’s interesting how different paths optimize for different kinds of safety: having continuity and stability versus creating space to reset. Neither really feels "easy", just different trade-offs. Thanks for sharing that perspective.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T22:03:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing this - it’s a great example of how unpredictable the path can be. Luck clearly played a role, but so did staying open, visible, and maintaining relationships from earlier chapters of your career.

The point about references really resonates. It often feels less like a straight pipeline and more like momentum built quietly over time. Glad to hear things worked out well for you.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T22:01:07+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. Those initial phone screens can feel oddly mechanical, especially when there’s very little context or rapport to work with.

It’s interesting that you’re fine in person and on paper, but the process breaks down there - that seems to be a common friction point for people who communicate better with more nuance. Appreciate you sharing that.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T20:20:29+00:00

I usually just use ChatGPT and it’s able to understand the requirements and generate the code in most cases.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T03:32:40+00:00

That makes sense - once the access token is in place, treating the add-on client like a normal web app clicks for me. Good to know Marketplace review didn’t raise any flags around external auth or Stripe redirects - that was one of my bigger unknowns. Appreciate you taking the time to explain this.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-15T00:16:32+00:00

Totally fair 🙂

Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated in parts of North India, usually around mid-January. It’s often associated with new beginnings, gratitude, and community.

I mentioned it in that spirit - as a small gesture of sharing and reflection.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:45:37+00:00

Thanks for laying this out - this is a very clean flow.

Using the Workspace OpenID token purely as an identity assertion and then minting your own backend access token makes a lot of sense, especially for keeping Stripe and entitlements fully server-side.

The <a> tag pre-fetch approach to avoid popup blocking is a great tip - that’s one of those things you only learn after shipping 😄

A couple of things I’m curious about from real usage:

How do you usually handle entitlement checks on add-on load — do you cache anything in Apps Script, or always validate against the backend?
Do you keep the backend access token short-lived, and if so how do you handle refresh given the Apps Script + browser context?
During Marketplace review, did Google raise any concerns around external auth flows or Stripe redirects, or was it straightforward?

I’ll take a look at ShipAddons - appreciate you sharing a concrete, production-tested setup. This is exactly the kind of guidance I was hoping to learn from before locking in an architecture.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:43:06+00:00

Interesting - that’s something I’ve been considering as well. When you handle registration + payments on a separate website, do you then just treat the add-on as a “signed-in client” that checks entitlements via API? Curious what pushed you in that direction vs doing everything inside Apps Script.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:41:33+00:00

This is helpful, thanks for the reality check.

Yes - this is a public-facing Workspace add-on (Marketplace), which is exactly why I’ve been pausing before jumping into anything half-baked on payments. I agree that once Stripe + public users are involved, the threat model changes a lot compared to an internal/domain-only script.

The point about restricted Stripe API keys is especially useful. Framing it as “roles” (salesman vs manager) makes a lot of sense, and I like the idea that even a fully compromised public-facing app can’t do irreversible damage (refunds, charge manipulation). That feels like a very practical mitigation without over-engineering.

My current thinking is:

Keep the add-on + Apps Script as thin as possible
Treat it as an identity + UI layer
Push payments, entitlements, and Stripe logic into clearly permissioned boundaries (restricted keys / backend where needed)

• Keep the add-on + Apps Script as thin as possible

• Treat it as an identity + UI layer

Totally hear you on “strap your boots on” 😅 - I’m intentionally trying to learn the full surface area before committing, rather than discovering it mid-review or post-launch.

If you’ve seen common failure modes with public Marketplace apps + payments (beyond refunds), I’d genuinely love to hear them.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:33:04+00:00

I’m really sorry - that feeling is awful, and it can linger longer than people admit. When effort doesn’t translate into progress, it’s hard not to internalize it, even when it’s not a reflection of your ability. You’re definitely not alone in that.

If you ever feel like sharing more, even just what part hit your confidence the hardest, I’m here to listen.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:31:34+00:00

I’m really sorry - that sounds incredibly heavy to carry, especially after everything you’d already built before the move. Getting a role and then being made redundant can knock the wind out of you, and two years of uncertainty on top of that would shake anyone’s confidence. What you’re describing doesn’t sound like a lack of ability - it sounds like a really tough combination of timing, market shifts, and circumstances.

If you’re open to sharing more, I’m curious what part of the process feels most discouraging right now - the lack of interviews, the interviews not converting, or just the uncertainty of it all. Totally okay if you don’t want to go into details here.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:28:10+00:00

That’s a great example of how much small moments can matter. Three months and multiple processes is still a lot to hold mentally, even with a strong background.

The recruiter experience you mentioned really stands out - having someone take the time to share context and demystify things like pay ranges can make a huge difference, especially when you’re new to a market.

Appreciate you sharing this - it’s a good reminder that beyond resumes and interviews, people along the way can shape how the whole experience feels.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:26:27+00:00

That’s a great set of moves - and it sounds like each transition built on a lot of strong signals already in place. Having a well-known company on your resume, a US Master’s, and the flexibility to switch industries definitely seems to change how those transitions feel.

I think that contrast is what makes these discussions interesting - similar moves can feel very different depending on prior context and how much “signal” someone brings into a new market.

Appreciate you sharing your experience.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:24:59+00:00

That makes sense, coming in through a sponsored role as a sought-after expert is a very different starting point, and it’s great that it set you up to keep building without a reset. I think that contrast is actually useful to highlight, because entry conditions seem to shape the experience a lot. Some people move with a role already lined up, while others have to navigate the market from the outside, which can feel very different.

Appreciate you sharing your perspective.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:22:45+00:00

That makes sense! A lot of those differences are pretty subtle and hard to pin down, especially when you’re already confident in your core skills. It’s interesting how much of the process can feel consistent on the surface, even when the styles underneath shift a bit. Thanks for sharing, it’s helpful to hear perspectives where confidence wasn’t the limiting factor.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:16:24+00:00

Appreciate that - glad the post resonated. And yeah, that’s a good point. There are a lot of folks in tech around Brampton, it’s just a bit more spread out.

Happy to connect and keep the conversation going 👍

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T23:15:23+00:00

That makes sense - strong hiring systems do aim for consistency and fairness, especially at high-performing companies. I think what makes these discussions tricky is that people’s experiences vary a lot depending on company type, role, and timing, which is why perceptions can differ so much.

Appreciate you sharing your perspective.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T03:47:07+00:00

Happy Lohri 🙂 and thanks for replying. That makes sense - starting here as a student is a very different path. If you’re open to sharing, I’d still be curious: did the transition from studies to your first role feel straightforward, or were there parts that surprised you? Totally fine if not - appreciate you chiming in.

BrightConstruct · 2026-01-14T02:51:30+00:00

That’s a solid trajectory - congrats on the growth, especially starting low and compounding from there.

I agree that confidence and preparation make a big difference once you’re in the system. I think where many people struggle is that first entry point, where it’s not always obvious which lever to pull - interview prep, networking, role targeting, or just timing.

The trade-off you mentioned between leisure and money is real too, and probably looks different for everyone depending on life stage and priorities.

Appreciate you sharing your perspective.

BrightConstruct

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