> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hellotars.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Test your agent

> Run your flow in Test Mode, override variables mid-run, read the Event Log, fix validation problems, and set debug visibility.

export const Browser = ({url, children}) => <div className="tars-browser">
    <div className="tars-browser-bar">
      <span className="tars-browser-dots">
        <i />
        <i />
        <i />
      </span>
      {url ? <span className="tars-browser-url">{url}</span> : null}
    </div>
    <div className="tars-browser-view">{children}</div>
  </div>;

export const img = {
  activity: {
    activityTimeline: "/docs/guides/activity/images/activity-timeline.png",
    capturedVariablesPanel: "/docs/guides/activity/images/captured-variables-panel.png",
    dataViewCards: "/docs/guides/activity/images/data-view-cards.png",
    exportDataDialog: "/docs/guides/activity/images/export-data-dialog.png",
    tasksPanelExportReady: "/docs/guides/activity/images/tasks-panel-export-ready.png"
  },
  analytics: {
    analyticsOverview: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/analytics-overview.png",
    exploreGallery: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/explore-gallery.png",
    exploreTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/explore-tab.png",
    goalForm: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/goal-form.png",
    goalsTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/goals-tab.png",
    improveDiagnostics: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/improve-diagnostics.png",
    improveTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/improve-tab.png",
    teamTab: "/docs/guides/analytics/images/team-tab.png"
  },
  billing: {
    billingOverview: "/docs/guides/billing/images/billing-overview.png",
    buyConversationsDialog: "/docs/guides/billing/images/buy-conversations-dialog.png",
    buySeatsDialog: "/docs/guides/billing/images/buy-seats-dialog.png",
    livechatSeatsTab: "/docs/guides/billing/images/livechat-seats-tab.png",
    organizationDeletionLifecycle: "/docs/guides/billing/images/organization-deletion-lifecycle.svg",
    organizationSwitcher: "/docs/guides/billing/images/organization-switcher.png",
    rolesAndAccessMatrix: "/docs/guides/billing/images/roles-and-access-matrix.png"
  },
  building: {
    agentBehaviorGuardrails: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-behavior-guardrails.png",
    agentCardMenu: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-card-menu.png",
    agentConfigure: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-configure.png",
    agentExitRoutesDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-exit-routes-dialog.png",
    agentLibrary: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-library.png",
    agentModelParameters: "/docs/guides/building/images/agent-model-parameters.png",
    aiAgentGambitLoop: "/docs/guides/building/images/ai-agent-gambit-loop.svg",
    builderBasics: "/docs/guides/building/images/builder-basics.png",
    builderConnectHandlePanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/builder-connect-handle-panel.png",
    builtInToolsDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/built-in-tools-dialog.png",
    configureDebugTab: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-debug-tab.png",
    configureLanguage: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-language.png",
    configureNotifications: "/docs/guides/building/images/configure-notifications.png",
    createAgentDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/create-agent-dialog.png",
    draftPublishRollbackPinning: "/docs/guides/building/images/draft-publish-rollback-pinning.svg",
    draftSwitcherChip: "/docs/guides/building/images/draft-switcher-chip.png",
    duplicateAgentDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/duplicate-agent-dialog.png",
    flowConditions: "/docs/guides/building/images/flow-conditions.png",
    gambitPalette: "/docs/guides/building/images/gambit-palette.png",
    gambits: {
      gambitAiAgent: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-ai-agent.png",
      gambitApiCall: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-api-call.png",
      gambitAutoSuggestion: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-auto-suggestion.png",
      gambitButton: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-button.png",
      gambitCard: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-card.png",
      gambitChannel: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-channel.png",
      gambitCustomCode: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-custom-code.png",
      gambitDateTime: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-date-time.png",
      gambitGeoLocation: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-geo-location.png",
      gambitLanguage: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-language.png",
      gambitLiveChat: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-live-chat.png",
      gambitMediaUpload: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-media-upload.png",
      gambitNoInput: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-no-input.png",
      gambitRedirect: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-redirect.png",
      gambitStarRating: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-star-rating.png",
      gambitStartAndEnd: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-start-and-end.png",
      gambitText: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-text.png",
      gambitTrigger: "/docs/guides/building/gambits/images/gambit-trigger.png"
    },
    languagesTranslateGambit: "/docs/guides/building/images/languages-translate-gambit.png",
    languageSystemMessages: "/docs/guides/building/images/language-system-messages.png",
    newDraftDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/new-draft-dialog.png",
    outputComponentsGrid: "/docs/guides/building/images/output-components-grid.png",
    publishDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/publish-dialog.png",
    systemPromptDialog: "/docs/guides/building/images/system-prompt-dialog.png",
    testModeEventLog: "/docs/guides/building/images/test-mode-event-log.png",
    testModePanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/test-mode-panel.png",
    validationProblemsPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/validation-problems-panel.png",
    variablePickerPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/variable-picker-panel.png",
    variablePillInserted: "/docs/guides/building/images/variable-pill-inserted.png",
    versionsDraftsPanel: "/docs/guides/building/images/versions-drafts-panel.png"
  },
  campaigns: {
    campaignFlavorsTriggers: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-flavors-triggers.svg",
    campaignReplyRouting: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-reply-routing.svg",
    campaignSendAnatomy: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/campaign-send-anatomy.svg",
    createACampaign: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/create-a-campaign.png",
    walletReserveSettleRefund: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/wallet-reserve-settle-refund.svg",
    webhookCampaignContractLocking: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-contract-locking.svg",
    webhookCampaignLifecycleStates: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-lifecycle-states.svg",
    webhookCampaignOneCallOneDelivery: "/docs/guides/campaigns/images/webhook-campaign-one-call-one-delivery.svg"
  },
  channels: {
    distributeWhatsappConnect: "/docs/guides/channels/images/distribute-whatsapp-connect.png",
    whatsappConnectDialogWaiting: "/docs/guides/channels/images/whatsapp-connect-dialog-waiting.png",
    whatsappEmptyState: "/docs/guides/channels/images/whatsapp-empty-state.png"
  },
  deploy: {
    bridgeEventGambitSection: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/bridge-event-gambit-section.png",
    deploymentSurfacesAndChannels: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/deployment-surfaces-and-channels.svg",
    designAgentTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/design-agent-tab.png",
    designLauncherTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/design-launcher-tab.png",
    embedIframeTab: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/embed-iframe-tab.png",
    embedTheWidget: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/embed-the-widget.png",
    mobileAppIntegration: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/mobile-app-integration.png",
    onYourDomain: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/on-your-domain.png",
    shareYourAgentLink: "/docs/guides/deploy/images/share-your-agent-link.png"
  },
  developer: {
    api: {
      channelSendTemplateVsMessage: "/docs/developer/api/images/channel-send-template-vs-message.svg",
      endUsers: {
        endUsersListCursorPagination: "/docs/developer/api/end-users/images/end-users-list-cursor-pagination.svg"
      },
      triggerCallConversationLifecycle: "/docs/developer/api/images/trigger-call-conversation-lifecycle.svg"
    },
    developerSurfacesMap: "/docs/developer/images/developer-surfaces-map.svg",
    embed: {
      embedConfigToWidgetContext: "/docs/developer/embed/images/embed-config-to-widget-context.svg",
      hostPageBridgeFlow: "/docs/developer/embed/images/host-page-bridge-flow.svg",
      identitySigningFlow: "/docs/developer/embed/images/identity-signing-flow.svg",
      scriptVsIframeEmbed: "/docs/developer/embed/images/script-vs-iframe-embed.svg"
    },
    mobile: {
      bridgeMessageProtocol: "/docs/developer/mobile/images/bridge-message-protocol.svg",
      webviewBridgeArchitecture: "/docs/developer/mobile/images/webview-bridge-architecture.svg"
    }
  },
  endUsers: {
    anonymousToIdentifiedProfile: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/anonymous-to-identified-profile.svg",
    bulkActionBar: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/bulk-action-bar.png",
    campaignConsentGate: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/campaign-consent-gate.svg",
    consentPerChannelStates: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/consent-per-channel-states.svg",
    dynamicVsStaticSegments: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/dynamic-vs-static-segments.svg",
    endUserDirectory: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-directory.png",
    endUserProfileAcrossChannels: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-profile-across-channels.svg",
    endUserProfilePanes: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/end-user-profile-panes.png",
    profileMergeAndTakeoverProtection: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/profile-merge-and-takeover-protection.svg",
    segmentBuilder: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/segment-builder.png",
    segmentsPage: "/docs/guides/end-users/images/segments-page.png"
  },
  getStarted: {
    agentStates: "/docs/get-started/images/agent-states.svg",
    buildToLivePath: "/docs/get-started/images/build-to-live-path.svg",
    dashboardSidebarMap: "/docs/get-started/images/dashboard-sidebar-map.png",
    organizationOwnershipAndRoles: "/docs/get-started/images/organization-ownership-and-roles.svg",
    quickstart: {
      step1CreateYourAccount: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-1-create-your-account.png",
      step3ConnectTheAiAgent: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-3-connect-the-ai-agent.png",
      step4TestMode: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart/step-4-test-mode.png"
    },
    quickstartCanvas: "/docs/get-started/images/quickstart-canvas.png"
  },
  knowledge: {
    addASource: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/add-a-source.png",
    addRetrieverPicker: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/add-retriever-picker.png",
    attachKnowledgeGambit: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/attach-knowledge-gambit.png",
    configureARetriever: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/configure-a-retriever.png",
    createKnowledgeBaseDialog: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/create-knowledge-base-dialog.png",
    customRetrieverDialog: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/custom-retriever-dialog.png",
    datasetTab: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/dataset-tab.png",
    documentChangeReindexLifecycle: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/document-change-reindex-lifecycle.svg",
    documentsTabPreview: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/documents-tab-preview.png",
    importAWebsite: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/import-a-website.png",
    kbList: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/kb-list.png",
    retrieverIndexStates: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/retriever-index-states.svg",
    retrieverQueryPipeline: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/retriever-query-pipeline.svg",
    standardVsParentChildChunking: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/standard-vs-parent-child-chunking.svg",
    syncManagement: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/sync-management.png",
    testRetriever: "/docs/guides/knowledge/images/test-retriever.png"
  },
  liveChat: {
    agentWorkspace: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/agent-workspace.png",
    assignedAgentPicker: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/assigned-agent-picker.png",
    automaticAssignmentRouting: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/automatic-assignment-routing.svg",
    availabilityDropdown: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/availability-dropdown.png",
    cannedResponses: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/canned-responses.png",
    composerPreferences: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/composer-preferences.png",
    copilotPanel: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/copilot-panel.png",
    filterConversationsDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/filter-conversations-dialog.png",
    inboxAnalyticsTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-analytics-tab.png",
    inboxAvailabilityTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-availability-tab.png",
    inboxesSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inboxes-settings.png",
    inboxRoutingTab: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/inbox-routing-tab.png",
    labelsSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/labels-settings.png",
    newAttributeDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/new-attribute-dialog.png",
    newCannedResponseDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/new-canned-response-dialog.png",
    notificationPreferences: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/notification-preferences.png",
    notificationsPage: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/notifications-page.png",
    pickupTargetCard: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/pickup-target-card.png",
    resolveMenu: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/resolve-menu.png",
    searchDialog: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/search-dialog.png",
    seatGateConversation: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/seat-gate-conversation.png",
    seatsSettings: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/seats-settings.png",
    workTheInbox: "/docs/guides/live-chat/images/work-the-inbox.png"
  },
  security: {
    addOpenRouterKeyDialog: "/docs/guides/security/images/add-open-router-key-dialog.png",
    auditChainVerified: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-chain-verified.png",
    auditEventDrawer: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-event-drawer.png",
    auditExportDialog: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-export-dialog.png",
    auditLogViewer: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-log-viewer.png",
    auditRecordLifecycle: "/docs/guides/security/images/audit-record-lifecycle.svg",
    logPrivacyRedactionEnabled: "/docs/guides/security/images/log-privacy-redaction-enabled.png",
    modelProviderEmptyState: "/docs/guides/security/images/model-provider-empty-state.png",
    privacySettings: "/docs/guides/security/images/privacy-settings.png",
    siemConnectWizard: "/docs/guides/security/images/siem-connect-wizard.png",
    supportActorMasking: "/docs/guides/security/images/support-actor-masking.svg"
  },
  tools: {
    addToolModal: "/docs/guides/tools/images/add-tool-modal.png",
    addToolsPanel: "/docs/guides/tools/images/add-tools-panel.png",
    codekitActionEditor: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-action-editor.png",
    codekitConnectToolkitsDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-connect-toolkits-dialog.png",
    codekitSchemaDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-schema-dialog.png",
    codekitToolkit: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-toolkit.png",
    codekitToolkitAnatomy: "/docs/guides/tools/images/codekit-toolkit-anatomy.svg",
    createActionDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/create-action-dialog.png",
    createCodekitDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/create-codekit-dialog.png",
    responseFilteringDialog: "/docs/guides/tools/images/response-filtering-dialog.png",
    toolGambitEditorAgentMode: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tool-gambit-editor-agent-mode.png",
    toolGambitEditorWorkflowMode: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tool-gambit-editor-workflow-mode.png",
    toolkitDetail: "/docs/guides/tools/images/toolkit-detail.png",
    toolsConnected: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tools-connected.png",
    toolsDirectory: "/docs/guides/tools/images/tools-directory.png",
    viewActionsModal: "/docs/guides/tools/images/view-actions-modal.png",
    workflowModeResponse: "/docs/guides/tools/images/workflow-mode-response.png"
  }
};

export const urls = {
  app: "https://dashboard.hellotars.com",
  site: "https://hellotars.com",
  support: "mailto:support@hellotars.com",
  status: "https://status.hellotars.com"
};

At the end of this page, you can run your current flow in Test Mode, trace every event, and clear validation problems before publishing.

## Before you start

Before you start, sign in to <a href={urls.app}>the dashboard</a> and select the organization you want to work in.

* Open your agent in the builder. See [Builder basics](/docs/guides/building/builder-basics).

Test runs never affect your live agent, and test conversations never count toward billable conversation usage.

## Run a test conversation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Test in the toolbar">
    The **Test** button carries the tooltip **"Test agent"**. It opens the **Test Mode** panel on the right side of the builder.

    <Frame>
      <img src={img.building.testModePanel} alt="Test Mode panel open beside the flow, with a running chat, the Run, Pause, and Reset controls, and the Variables section showing the System group" />
    </Frame>

    The right panel shows one thing at a time. Opening Test Mode replaces the gambit editor or the versions panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Run">
    Before the first run, the panel shows an empty state. It reads **"Test execution is not yet active"** and **"Press Run to start the conversation flow"**.

    Select **Run** to start the conversation flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Answer as an end user would">
    Reply to each gambit the way a real end user would. Watch the **Variables** section fill as the flow captures values.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pause when you want to inspect a step">
    Select **Pause** to stop the run in place. The button becomes **Resume**, which continues from the same point.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reset to start over">
    Select **Reset** to clear the run. Then select **Run** to test the flow again from the top.
  </Step>
</Steps>

A test run uses the flow you are editing. While a draft is open, the run uses that draft, and switching drafts stops the run. See [Drafts and publishing](/docs/guides/building/drafts-and-publishing) for the environment chip and drafts.

## The Test Mode panel

The panel header reads **Test Mode** and holds the run controls plus a close **X**.

| Control    | What it does                                           |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Run**    | Starts a test run of the current flow.                 |
| **Pause**  | Halts the run in place. The button becomes **Resume**. |
| **Resume** | Continues a paused run from where it stopped.          |
| **Reset**  | Clears the current run so you can start again.         |
| **X**      | Closes the panel.                                      |

### Variables

The **Variables** section lists every value the run has captured, grouped by scope, with a count in the header. Before anything is captured, it reads **"No variables set yet"**.

Select the pencil icon next to a response or flow variable to edit its value in place. Press Enter to apply the override. An override lets you test a branch without replaying the whole conversation to reach it. See [Use variables](/docs/guides/building/variables).

### Event Log

The **Event Log** is a collapsible section that records what the run did at every step. Before the first event, it reads **"No events yet"**. Filter chips carry a count per category: **All**, **Lifecycle**, **Flow**, **AI**, **Routing**, and **Errors**.

Start with **Errors** when a run goes wrong. Then switch to **Routing** to see which branch the flow took.

<Browser url={urls.app}>
  <img src={img.building.testModeEventLog} alt="The Event Log section of the Test Mode panel, with counted filter chips for All, Lifecycle, Flow, AI, Routing, and Errors above three logged events, each carrying a System badge and a relative time" />
</Browser>

Each row expands to show its detail. A category with no events keeps its chip at zero rather than hiding it.

## Validate the flow

Validation catches structural problems that a test run might not reach, such as an unreachable gambit or a duplicate variable name.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Validate in the toolbar">
    The **Validate** button carries the tooltip **"Validate flow"**. It runs validation and opens the **Problems** panel.

    <Frame>
      <img src={img.building.validationProblemsPanel} alt="Problems panel at the bottom of the builder listing warnings such as unreachable gambits, each with a Go to link" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the counts in the Problems header">
    The header shows the error and warning counts, or **"No issues"**. A **"Last checked"** timestamp shows when validation last ran.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Go to on a problem row">
    Problems group under **Errors** and **Warnings**. Each row has a **Go to** link that focuses the affected gambit in the builder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fix the gambit, then re-run validation">
    Select the refresh control, with the tooltip **"Re-run validation"**, after each fix. A clean flow shows **"Flow validation passed. No issues found."**
  </Step>
</Steps>

Errors block publishing, so clear them before you publish. The publish dialog shows the same result in its **Pre-publish validation** panel. See [Drafts and publishing](/docs/guides/building/drafts-and-publishing).

## Control the debug detail end users see

Open your agent, select **Configure** in the builder sidebar, then select **Debug** in the **Settings** list on the Configure page. It sets how much AI detail the widget shows during a conversation.

<Frame>
  <img src={img.building.configureDebugTab} alt="Debug selected in the Settings list on the Configure page, with switches for AI reasoning, tool calls, and knowledge citations" />
</Frame>

| Setting                           | Default                              |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Show AI reasoning to visitors** | On                                   |
| **Show tool calls to visitors**   | Off. It needs AI reasoning to be on. |
| **Show knowledge citations**      | Off                                  |

Select **Save Debug Settings** to apply. These switches change only the widget. In the dashboard you always see the full reasoning and tool detail for every conversation. See [What end users see](/docs/guides/activity/end-user-experience).

## Review test runs in Activity

Every test run is stored as a conversation in the test environment. Open the **Activity** tab and switch the source picker to **Test · Published flow** or to your draft's entry. The timeline shows every message, AI turn, and tool call from the run. See [Watch conversations](/docs/guides/activity/watch-conversations).

## Verify

Run the flow and send an answer that should take a specific branch. The **Routing** chip in the **Event Log** shows the branch decision, and **Variables** shows the captured value. **Validate** reports **"No issues"**.

## Related pages

* [Builder basics](/docs/guides/building/builder-basics)
* [Drafts and publishing](/docs/guides/building/drafts-and-publishing)
* [Use variables](/docs/guides/building/variables)
* [Watch conversations](/docs/guides/activity/watch-conversations)
* [What end users see](/docs/guides/activity/end-user-experience)