
plaid
Plaid banking API expert for financial data integration. Covers Plaid Link, Auth (account/routing numbers), Transactions, Identity verification, Balance checking, and webhooks. Build fintech apps with bank connections, ACH transfers, and transaction history. Triggers on Plaid, banking API, Plaid Link, bank connection, ACH, financial data, transaction history.
- Installs
- 64
- Last 24h
- —
- Trending rank
- —
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/raintree-technology/claude-starter --skill plaid- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads plaid automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Plaid Banking API Expert
Plaid connects applications to users' bank accounts for financial data access, payments, and identity verification.
When to Use
- Connecting bank accounts in fintech apps
- Implementing Plaid Link flow
- Retrieving transactions, balances, or account info
- Setting up ACH transfers
- Identity/income verification
- Handling Plaid webhooks
Core Products
| Product | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Auth | Bank account/routing numbers for ACH |
| Transactions | Transaction history (up to 24 months) |
| Identity | Verify user via bank account ownership |
| Balance | Real-time account balances |
| Investments | Holdings from investment accounts |
| Liabilities | Loan and credit card data |
Quick Start
1. Install SDK
npm install plaid react-plaid-link
2. Create Plaid Client
import { Configuration, PlaidApi, PlaidEnvironments } from "plaid";
const client = new PlaidApi(
new Configuration({
basePath: PlaidEnvironments.sandbox,
baseOptions: {
headers: {
"PLAID-CLIENT-ID": process.env.PLAID_CLIENT_ID,
"PLAID-SECRET": process.env.PLAID_SECRET,
},
},
})
);
3. Create Link Token (Server)
// POST /api/plaid/create-link-token
export async function POST(req: Request) {
const response = await client.linkTokenCreate({
user: { client_user_id: userId },
client_name: "Your App",
products: ["auth", "transactions"],
country_codes: ["US"],
language: "en",
});
return Response.json({ link_token: response.data.link_token });
}
4. Plaid Link (Client)
import { usePlaidLink } from "react-plaid-link";
function ConnectBank({ linkToken }) {
const { open, ready } = usePlaidLink({
token: linkToken,
onSuccess: async (public_token, metadata) => {
// Exchange for access_token on server
await fetch("/api/plaid/exchange-token", {
method: "POST",
body: JSON.stringify({ public_token }),
});
},
});
return (
<button onClick={() => open()} disabled={!ready}>
Connect Bank Account
</button>
);
}
5. Exchange Token (Server)
// POST /api/plaid/exchange-token
export async function POST(req: Request) {
const { public_token } = await req.json();
const response = await client.itemPublicTokenExchange({
public_token,
});
// Store access_token securely (encrypted in database)
await db.users.update(userId, {
plaid_access_token: response.data.access_token,
plaid_item_id: response.data.item_id,
});
return Response.json({ success: true });
}
Data Retrieval
Get Auth (Account/Routing Numbers)
const response = await client.authGet({ access_token });
const ach = response.data.numbers.ach[0];
console.log("Account:", ach.account);
console.log("Routing:", ach.routing);
Get Transactions
const response = await client.transactionsGet({
access_token,
start_date: "2024-01-01",
end_date: "2024-12-31",
});
let transactions = response.data.transactions;
// Handle pagination
while (transactions.length < response.data.total_transactions) {
const more = await client.transactionsGet({
access_token,
start_date: "2024-01-01",
end_date: "2024-12-31",
offset: transactions.length,
});
transactions = transactions.concat(more.data.transactions);
}
Transaction object:
{
transaction_id: "abc123",
amount: 12.34, // Positive = outflow
date: "2024-11-16",
name: "Starbucks",
merchant_name: "Starbucks",
category: ["Food and Drink", "Coffee Shop"],
pending: false,
}
Get Balance
const response = await client.accountsBalanceGet({ access_token });
response.data.accounts.forEach((account) => {
console.log(`${account.name}: $${account.balances.current}`);
});
Get Identity
const response = await client.identityGet({ access_token });
const owner = response.data.accounts[0].owners[0];
console.log("Name:", owner.names[0]);
console.log("Email:", owner.emails[0].data);
console.log("Phone:", owner.phone_numbers[0].data);
Webhooks
Setup Endpoint
// POST /api/plaid/webhook
export async function POST(req: Request) {
const { webhook_type, webhook_code, item_id } = await req.json();
switch (webhook_type) {
case "TRANSACTIONS":
if (webhook_code === "DEFAULT_UPDATE") {
// New transactions available - fetch them
await syncTransactions(item_id);
}
break;
case "ITEM":
if (webhook_code === "ERROR") {
// Connection issue - prompt user to re-authenticate
await notifyUserReauth(item_id);
}
break;
}
return Response.json({ received: true });
}
Key webhook events:
| Event | Meaning |
|---|---|
TRANSACTIONS: INITIAL_UPDATE | First batch ready |
TRANSACTIONS: DEFAULT_UPDATE | New transactions |
ITEM: ERROR | Connection issue |
ITEM: PENDING_EXPIRATION | Credentials expiring |
Environments
| Environment | Use Case | Base Path |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbox | Testing | PlaidEnvironments.sandbox |
| Development | Limited live (100 connections) | PlaidEnvironments.development |
| Production | Live | PlaidEnvironments.production |
Sandbox Test Credentials
- Username:
user_good - Password:
pass_good - MFA:
1234
Error Handling
Re-authentication (Update Mode)
When credentials expire:
// Create link token for update mode
const response = await client.linkTokenCreate({
user: { client_user_id: userId },
client_name: "Your App",
access_token: existingAccessToken, // Triggers update mode
country_codes: ["US"],
language: "en",
});
Common Errors
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
ITEM_LOGIN_REQUIRED | Re-authenticate via Link update mode |
RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED | Implement exponential backoff |
PRODUCT_NOT_READY | Wait for webhook or retry |
Security Best Practices
DO:
- Store access tokens encrypted in database
- Use environment variables for credentials
- Verify webhook signatures
- Use HTTPS for all endpoints
DON'T:
- Expose secret keys client-side
- Log access tokens
- Store credentials in code
Next.js App Router Example
// app/api/plaid/create-link-token/route.ts
import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
import { Configuration, PlaidApi, PlaidEnvironments } from "plaid";
const client = new PlaidApi(
new Configuration({
basePath: PlaidEnvironments.sandbox,
baseOptions: {
headers: {
"PLAID-CLIENT-ID": process.env.PLAID_CLIENT_ID!,
"PLAID-SECRET": process.env.PLAID_SECRET!,
},
},
})
);
export async function POST(req: Request) {
const session = await getSession();
const response = await client.linkTokenCreate({
user: { client_user_id: session.user.id },
client_name: "Your App",
products: ["auth", "transactions"],
country_codes: ["US"],
language: "en",
webhook: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_URL}/api/plaid/webhook`,
});
return NextResponse.json({ link_token: response.data.link_token });
}
Implementation Checklist
- Sign up for Plaid account
- Get client ID and secret
- Install
plaidandreact-plaid-link - Set environment variables
- Create link token endpoint
- Implement token exchange endpoint
- Integrate Plaid Link on frontend
- Store access tokens securely
- Set up webhook endpoint
- Handle re-authentication errors
- Test with sandbox credentials
Resources
- Docs: https://plaid.com/docs/
- API Reference: https://plaid.com/docs/api/
- Quickstart: https://github.com/plaid/quickstart
FAQ
What does the plaid skill do?
Plaid banking API expert for financial data integration. Covers Plaid Link, Auth (account/routing numbers), Transactions, Identity verification, Balance checking, and webhooks. Build fintech apps with bank connections, ACH transfers, and transaction history. Triggers on Plaid, banking API, Plaid Link, bank connection, ACH, financial data, transaction history.
How do I install plaid?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/raintree-technology/claude-starter --skill plaid in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/plaid/ (personal) or .claude/skills/plaid/ (project).
Which AI agents can use plaid?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is plaid safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains plaid?
It is published by raintree-technology in raintree-technology/claude-starter. It has 64 recorded installs.
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