Send automation messages to yourself only (practice run)
A “Practice run” walks the automation through a record and sends the WhatsApp messages, emails and notifications to you only, the way the client would see them. They never reach the client.
Open the automation, and wait until All changes saved shows.
A practice run uses what’s saved. It waits while a step still needs setting up.
2
On the Map, press Practice run at the bottom.
It runs on the record shown in Preview as:, or on the newest record, and What happened opens with every step.
3
Wait for the messages on your phone and in your email.
The email subject starts with [Practice].
4
To try again, press Try with another record or Practice again.
How it works
Step
In a practice run
Send a WhatsApp message or template
Reaches your verified WhatsApp number, on the step’s line
Send an email
Reaches your email from the step’s mailbox, in your name
Notify a team member
Reaches you inside the app only
A send step that would really be refused
Nothing is sent, with the same reason
Any other action
A preview only; nothing is written
Wait, and Wait for a reply
Skipped
Choose a path
Really evaluated
Ask for approval
Carries on down the Approved path without asking anyone
The safety rule
The message never reaches the client, and you don’t become a lead. Your chat is marked as a practice, so no record is created for it.
The email is sent to you alone, and nothing is replied in the client’s thread.
You can’t do a practice run while signed in as another member.
A WhatsApp Cloud line only delivers free text within 24 hours of your last message to it. Message the line first if nothing arrives. A template always arrives.
Your reply to the practice message is a real message, and it may start A message arrives automations on that line.
A practice run isn’t a run: it doesn’t show in the run log, and it doesn’t count against your plan.
If something goes wrong
What you see
Why
What to do
“Not sent — verify a WhatsApp number on your profile to receive practice messages.”
