How to Test an Automation

Before activating an automation in HireData, it is essential to test it to ensure it runs as expected. There are two ways to test automation: Preview a Single Item and Test with a User. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to test with a user, so keep reading if you want to learn how you can do it.

Selecting how to test an automation

Navigate to the automation you want to test and click on the test icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the automation testing panel.

You will be given two options:

Test with a User: This runs the automation using real user data, such as an email address or phone number, to simulate the actual experience of, for example, sending an email or starting a WhatsApp conversation.
Preview a Single Item: This allows you to see how the automation would process an individual item without actually running tasks.

Testing with a user

This is the better choice if you want to see the whole experience of running an automation.

Step 1: Choose the user whose data will be used for testing

This user will receive emails or messages as if the automation was live. Once selected from the drop-down menu, click [Run Test] to initiate the process.

Step 2: Monitor the Timeline

The system will display a timeline of each step of the automation as it runs. You will see alerts such as:

Run Scheduled
Run Started
Interaction Started
Email Sent (or other task execution)
Run Finished

Wait for the test to complete and ensure all steps progress smoothly.

Step 3: Check the User’s Inbox

If the automation includes sending an email, go to the selected user’s inbox (for example, yours) and verify that the email was delivered correctly.

Check the formatting and content to ensure it appears as expected;
Go through the form to ensure all questions are set up correctly.

Step 4: Review the Run and Event Details

After the test run, you can click on View Details to check specific event logs, including:

Email delivery status (sent, delivered, opened, clicked, or bounced)
Any delays in execution
Data values used in the test

Automation overview details:

Fields details:

Related automation and event:

Testing with Preview a Single Item

You can use this to see how the automation would process an individual item without actually running tasks.