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Test your flow

Preview the conversation on a simulated phone, then run it live on your real account — before anyone else sees it.

Updated Jul 1, 2026

Two ways to test

The flow editor gives you a safe path from “looks right” to “works for real.” Preview simulates the conversation on a phone screen with sample data — no real messages, nothing recorded. The live test goes one step further: it runs your flow through Instagram itself, with real DMs, on your own account.

Use Preview while you’re shaping the conversation, and run one live test before you publish. Both work on drafts — you never have to publish just to find out.

Preview the conversation

Open Preview from the flow editor toolbar and step through the flow exactly as a contact would — tap the buttons, follow the branches, watch where the conversation leads. It’s the fastest way to catch a clunky message or a branch that dead-ends.

Run a live test

The live test gives you a one-time code. DM that code to your connected account, and Ravela runs your draft as if a real follower had triggered it — same messages, same timing, delivered by Instagram for real.

  1. 1Save your draft — the test runs the latest saved version.
  2. 2Open Test in the flow editor and choose the connected account.
  3. 3Start the test. You get a one-time code, valid for one hour.
  4. 4From another Instagram account you control — your personal one is perfect — DM the code to your connected account.
  5. 5The flow starts automatically. Watch it play out in the DM thread, and fix-save-retest until it feels right.

Good to know

A few details that save head-scratching:

  • Codes are one-time and expire with the hour-long session; stop the test early once you’re happy.
  • Publishing is not required — the live test exists precisely so drafts can prove themselves first.
  • If your test account ever sent STOP to the connected account, send START before testing — opt-outs are honored even for you.
  • Test runs are tagged as test data, so they won’t muddy your real analytics later.
  • Running a raffle flow? Those are tested from Automations → Raffles instead.