---
title: "How do I test payments before going live?"
description: "Use test mode to run a full payment with test card details — including split payments and refunds — and see exactly what your customer sees, without moving real money."
url: "/docs/getting-started/how-do-i-test-payments-before-going-live/"
category: "Getting started"
---

Before you go live, you can run **test payments** that behave like the real thing but move no real money. Use the test payment tools in the dashboard with test card details to pay a link end to end — including splits and refunds — and land on the same result page a real customer would.

## Run a test payment

1. Make sure you're in **test mode** (the default before you're verified and live).
2. Open a payment link and start a payment.
3. Use the **test card credentials** shown in the dashboard to complete checkout.
4. You'll land on the result page, and the payment appears in your transactions marked as a test.

## What you can test

- The full **checkout** experience your customer sees.
- **Split payments** — confirm money divides across payees the way your rule intends.
- **Refunds** — issue a test refund and see the status flow.

Test data stays separate from live data, so nothing you do here affects your real books. When you're ready, see [How do I switch from test to live?](/docs/getting-started/how-do-i-switch-from-test-to-live/)

## Related

- [What can I do while verification is pending?](/docs/getting-started/what-can-i-do-while-verification-is-pending/)
- [How do split payments work?](/docs/split-payments/how-do-split-payments-work/)