Payers

Getting Started with the Dots Dashboard

The Dots Dashboard is your control center for managing payouts, users, compliance, and API integration. This guide introduces key features and walks through initial setup.

Before you begin: Make sure you've created your Dots account and can log in to the dashboard.

Dashboard Overview

After logging in, you'll see:

  • Home: Quick stats on your balance, payouts sent, and users

  • Send Payouts: Create individual payouts, bulk uploads via CSV, or payout links

  • Reports: View payout links, transfers, and user data

  • Documents: Manage tax forms (1099s), background checks, and compliance documents

  • Advanced: Access API keys, integrations, and team management

  • Organization: Manage your wallet, apps, and bank connections

At the top of the dashboard, you'll find your app/organization selector and notifications.

For organizations with multiple apps, the sidebar shows a Settings item under a group named after the selected app (labeled Current App when no app name is available). Organization-wide settings stay under Organization. Organizations with a single app keep Settings consolidated under Organization.

The dashboard includes a global search box in the top bar that lets you find users, transfers, and payout links from one place.

What you can search for:

  • Users — by name, email, or ID

  • Transfers — by transfer ID

  • Payout Links — by reference or link ID

Results appear as you type, but you need to enter at least 5 characters before matches show up.

To use global search:

  1. Click the search box in the dashboard header

  2. Type at least 5 characters — a name, email, ID, or payout link reference

  3. Review the matching results grouped by type (users, transfers, payout links)

  4. Select a result to open the matching record

Creating Your First API App

Apps organize your integration and generate environment-specific API keys:

  1. Click the + Create New button in the sidebar

  2. Select your organization

  3. Enter an App Name and App ID

  4. Click Create

Your new app will appear in the app selector dropdown at the top of the dashboard.

Getting Your API Keys

To integrate with the Dots API, you'll need your credentials:

  1. Go to Advanced → API Management in the sidebar

  2. Copy your client_id and api_key

  3. Use these to generate your Basic authentication token

Keep your API keys secure. Never commit them to public repositories or share them in client-side code.

For authentication details, see the API Authentication documentation.

Requesting Production Access

New accounts start with Sandbox access only. To send live payouts, complete business verification:

  1. Look for the Get Started card on your dashboard

  2. Click Request Access or navigate to Verify your business

  3. Complete the four-step verification flow:

    • Enter business information

    • Add beneficial owners (those who own 25%+ of the company)

    • Monitor owner verification status

    • Connect your bank account

For detailed instructions, see Complete business verification for your workspace.

Your dashboard will show restricted features until your application is approved.

Connecting Your Bank Account

To fund payouts and receive transfers, connect a bank account:

  1. Navigate to Organization → Bank in the settings

  2. Click Connect Bank

  3. Complete the Plaid verification flow

  4. Select your account for ACH transfers

You can test the full payout flow in Sandbox mode before connecting a real bank account.

Key Dashboard Sections

Send Payouts

Create individual payments, upload batch CSV files, or generate no-code payout links for recipients.

Documents

Access the Tax Center to collect W-9/W-8BEN forms, file 1099s (free for 2024), and run background checks on users.

App Settings

Configure payout fees, sender signatures, accounting integrations (QuickBooks, etc.), notifications, and white-label flow styling.

Insights

View charts and analytics on your balance, money movement, and user growth.

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the dashboard:

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