# Test mode

URL: https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/dashboard/test-mode

Use test mode to switch the SparkLayer Dashboard between your live store and a test store, so you can try out pricing and customer changes safely.

> **Quick summary**
>
> - Test mode gives one SparkLayer account 2 environments: your live store (production) and a test store (staging).
> - Switch between them with the **Test mode** switch in the Dashboard menu. Each environment has its own data, so what you do in one doesn't affect the other.
> - It's on the Pro and Enterprise plans. Setting it up is optional, and you can add or change your test store at any time.

## How it works

Test mode switches the data you see in the [SparkLayer Dashboard](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/dashboard.md) between the 2 stores you connect. Turn the switch on, and every section reloads with your test store's data. Anything you change then applies only to the test store. Turn it off to go back to your live store.

Use it when:

- You want a test account on your live store, to test pricing and customer data
- You want to set up SparkLayer on a development (sandbox) store before going live

You don't need test mode to launch. You can test on your live store with a test B2B customer.

**Shopify only:**

On Shopify, [Try it out](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/get-started/launching.md#place-a-test-order) creates one for you and places a test order that doesn't count towards your plan.

## Before you start

- **The Pro or Enterprise plan.** See [Plans and features](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/plans-and-features.md).
- **A second store to test on**, such as a development or sandbox store on your platform.

## Connect your live and test stores

You connect both stores at **Integrations > Platform** in the SparkLayer Dashboard ([open](https://app.sparklayer.io/configuration/integrations/platform)), or **SparkLayer Wholesale > Integrations > Platform** in the Shopify app, which you first see when you create your SparkLayer account. Connect your live store first, then add your test store. The steps below use Shopify as the example. 

### Connect your live store

1. Check the **Test mode** switch in the Dashboard menu is **off**. 
2. Go to **Integrations > Platform** in the SparkLayer Dashboard ([open](https://app.sparklayer.io/configuration/integrations/platform)), or **SparkLayer Wholesale > Integrations > Platform** in the Shopify app.
3. Under **Your platform**, choose your platform, for example **Shopify** ("All versions, including Shopify Plus.").
4. In **Shopify store**, enter your live store's address: the part before `.myshopify.com`, for example `my-live-store`.
5. Shopify opens and asks you to authorise the SparkLayer app. Approve it to finish connecting. 

### Add your test store

1. Turn the **Test mode** switch **on**. Its label reads "Load data from test environment".
2. Go to **Integrations > Platform** in the SparkLayer Dashboard ([open](https://app.sparklayer.io/configuration/integrations/platform)), or **SparkLayer Wholesale > Integrations > Platform** in the Shopify app.
3. Choose your platform and enter your test store's address in **Shopify store** (for example `my-test-store`), if it isn't already filled in.
4. Authorise the SparkLayer app in Shopify. You can skip the billing step for a test store.
5. Work through the steps on **Home > Setup** in the SparkLayer Dashboard ([open](https://app.sparklayer.io/)), or **SparkLayer Wholesale > Setup** in the Shopify app for your test store, as you did for your live store. See [Get started](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/get-started.md).

## Switch between live and test

Turn the **Test mode** switch on to work with your test store, and off to work with your live store. The Dashboard reloads each section with that store's data.

## Add test mode to an existing Shopify installation

**Shopify only:**

If SparkLayer is already installed on your live Shopify store, [contact our support team](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/support.md) to add a test store. Our team sets it up with you, so you keep your live setup.

Don't uninstall SparkLayer to do this yourself. Uninstalling ends your subscription and deletes your SparkLayer data: see [What happens to your data when you uninstall](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/dashboard/billing.md#data-on-uninstall).

## Next steps

- [Launch checklist](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/get-started/launching.md): Test as a B2B customer, invite your first customers and go live
- [Get started](https://docs.sparklayer.io/help/get-started.md): The 5 Setup steps, which you repeat for your test store