Plaid Fintech

1---
2name: plaid-fintech
3description: "Expert patterns for Plaid API integration including Link token flows, transactions sync, identity verification, Auth for ACH, balance checks, webhook handling, and fintech compliance best practices. Use when: plaid, bank account linking, bank connection, ach, account aggregation."
4source: vibeship-spawner-skills (Apache 2.0)
5---
6 
7# Plaid Fintech
8 
9## Patterns
10 
11### Link Token Creation and Exchange
12 
13Create a link_token for Plaid Link, exchange public_token for access_token.
14Link tokens are short-lived, one-time use. Access tokens don't expire but
15may need updating when users change passwords.
16 
17 
18### Transactions Sync
19 
20Use /transactions/sync for incremental transaction updates. More efficient
21than /transactions/get. Handle webhooks for real-time updates instead of
22polling.
23 
24 
25### Item Error Handling and Update Mode
26 
27Handle ITEM_LOGIN_REQUIRED errors by putting users through Link update mode.
28Listen for PENDING_DISCONNECT webhook to proactively prompt users.
29 
30 
31## Anti-Patterns
32 
33### ❌ Storing Access Tokens in Plain Text
34 
35### ❌ Polling Instead of Webhooks
36 
37### ❌ Ignoring Item Errors
38 
39## ⚠️ Sharp Edges
40 
41| Issue | Severity | Solution |
42|-------|----------|----------|
43| Issue | critical | See docs |
44| Issue | high | See docs |
45| Issue | high | See docs |
46| Issue | high | See docs |
47| Issue | medium | See docs |
48| Issue | medium | See docs |
49| Issue | medium | See docs |
50| Issue | medium | See docs |
51