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The Test button in the editor opens a written chat window with your agent. You simulate a conversation with a caller without placing a call, whether your agent is a standard agent or a TruePath agent. It is the fastest way to check how an agent behaves after each change to its prompt.

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Open the test window

1

Open your agent

Go to the agent you want to test from your list of agents.
2

Click Test

The Test button is at the top right of the editor, next to Save and Publish.
3

Read the welcome message

The Vocal agent testing window opens and your agent starts the conversation with its welcome message.
Test tab of a Volubile agent

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Run the conversation

Play the role of the caller: type your message in the field at the bottom of the window, then press Enter or click Send. The agent replies in the conversation. To start over, click the red icon to the right of Send: it clears the conversation. Try the simple case, then a caller who is in a hurry, hesitant, or upset, and a question the agent shouldn’t answer. The Write your agent’s prompt guide covers this test and improve routine in more detail.

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Simulate an input context

If your prompt uses variables, you can simulate the values you would send through the API, Excel, or SIP, to check how the prompt renders without placing a real call. These values are used when you test the agent with the Test button. The steps are described in Variables and templating.

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What a written test doesn’t cover

A written test doesn’t replace a real call.
The test takes place in writing: your agent’s voice, pronunciation, and the pace of the conversation can’t be evaluated. Place a test call before you publish. See the Quickstart.
The Call transfer, Hang up, Wait, and Keypad interaction actions don’t work on the chat channel and are ignored during a written conversation.

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Next steps

Write the prompt

Improve your prompt based on what you observe during your tests.

Call details

Review real calls once the agent is live.