How do you simulate triggers?

Trigger simulation validates that automation starts and behaves correctly:

Test accounts: Create accounts or profiles specifically for testing. Perform the actions that should trigger automation. Monitor whether triggers fire as expected.

Manual event firing: Most ESPs allow manually adding recipients to flows. This bypasses the trigger event to test downstream behavior. Useful for testing flow logic independent of trigger mechanics.

API trigger testing: Send test event payloads directly to your automation API. Include test flags to identify test sends. Validates technical integration without real user actions.

ESP testing features: Many platforms offer dedicated test modes. Some allow time simulation to test delays without waiting. Preview trigger evaluation against sample data.

Documentation: Record expected behavior for each trigger scenario. Compare actual results against documented expectations.

Simulation proves the trigger works before real customers depend on it.