> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://signatureapi-daf4ee54.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Test Mode

> Learn how to create safe, non-binding, test-mode envelopes

When you sign up for SignatureAPI, you get a free test API key. Test API keys let you create test envelopes, great for trying out your workflows.

## Test envelopes don't send emails

Don't be afraid of flooding your customer's inboxes with test emails. Emails from test envelopes don't get sent to recipients. But, you can inspect them in your [Dashboard's Email view](https://dashboard.signatureapi.com/emails?mode=test).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/signatureapi-daf4ee54/to2kcqhpCDnABjF5/docs/images/test-email-section.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=to2kcqhpCDnABjF5&q=85&s=5feb47dc4129a75223a35aaefdaf5624" alt="Dashboard's Email View" width="1302" height="453" data-path="docs/images/test-email-section.png" />

Where you can see the email contents:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/signatureapi-daf4ee54/to2kcqhpCDnABjF5/docs/images/test-email-detail.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=to2kcqhpCDnABjF5&q=85&s=b4ea4aaf2fcdee5aa2612de07b733d65" alt="Email Detail" width="1301" height="772" data-path="docs/images/test-email-detail.png" />

## Test envelopes are not legally-binding

A notice watermark on documents in test envelopes makes them non-binding.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/signatureapi-daf4ee54/to2kcqhpCDnABjF5/docs/images/test-watermark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=to2kcqhpCDnABjF5&q=85&s=9513fb8f3571bf9ba1a83cd3f84b7d39" alt="Test Watermark" width="933" height="212" data-path="docs/images/test-watermark.png" />

## Test envelopes are free

We don't bill you for test envelopes.

## Test mode and live mode differences

|                 | Test mode                                                                        | Live mode                   |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| API key prefix  | `key_test_`                                                                      | `key_live_`                 |
| Emails sent     | No. Preview in [Dashboard](https://dashboard.signatureapi.com/emails?mode=test). | Yes, to real recipients.    |
| Legally binding | No. Documents show a watermark.                                                  | Yes.                        |
| Billing         | Free                                                                             | Counted toward your plan.   |
| Webhooks        | Delivered to test endpoints                                                      | Delivered to live endpoints |

You can use test mode and live mode at the same time. They are independent: test envelopes, webhooks, and senders are separate from live ones.

## Switch to live mode

When you are ready to start sending legally-binding envelopes, go to the API Key section of your [Dashboard](https://dashboard.signatureapi.com). Follow the instructions to create a live API key.

Replace `key_test_` with your new `key_live_` key in your API calls. No other code changes are needed.