Test mode runs the same checkout, statuses and webhooks as live, with simulated trades and a separate test balance. It works while your project is in review and after it goes live.
Two ways in
- Dashboard: switch Live data / Test mode at the bottom of the side navigation. Payment links, purchases and the balance you see are then test data.
- API: call it with your test secret instead of the live secret. Everything you create is a test object.
Drive the outcome yourself
A test checkout page shows Test controls. Pick what happens: paid at once, trade protection, release early, reversed, declined or expired. The page, the dashboard and your webhooks follow, so you can check every branch of your code. The API has matching simulate calls, listed in the API reference.
The test balance
Every project starts with a test balance in USD. Test payments add to it and test purchases spend from it, so you can try buying skins too. Use Reset test balance on the project page to put it back to the starting amount.
How to tell test from live
Test webhooks carry "livemode": false and a test marker header; test objects are labelled test in the dashboard. Test money never mixes with your live balance and cannot be paid out.
Test mode stops working if a project is not approved or is suspended.