Test mode

Test mode is a separate sandbox inside your account. Test postcards go through the same validation and content check as live ones, but they are free and Paperjoy never writes or mails them.

The Paperjoy dashboard in test mode, with the Tryb testowy banner at the top. — While test mode is on, a banner shows at the top of every page.

Turn test mode on or off

Open the account menu in the top right corner of the Paperjoy app and switch Tryb testowy (Test mode). To leave, use the same switch or click Wyłącz tryb testowy (Turn off test mode) in the banner. The switch changes what you see in the app and which kind of API key you create next. It does not change existing keys.

Test each method

Editor
API
Zapier
MCP

Turn on test mode and open Edytor (Editor). The send button changes to Utwórz testową pocztówkę (Create test postcard).

Create an API key while test mode is on. It starts with pj_test_. Every request made with it runs in test mode, and responses include "test_mode": true.The URLs and request bodies are identical in both modes. Never send a test_mode field; the key decides.

Create a pj_test_ key and add it as a separate Paperjoy connection in Zapier. Use it while you build and test the Zap, then switch the action to a connection with a pj_live_ key before you turn the Zap on.

The MCP server has no test mode. It always creates live postcards and uses credits, even when test mode is on in your browser.Try your message in the editor or with a pj_test_ API key first, and ask your assistant to confirm each card before it sends.

What a test postcard does

	Test	Live
Costs a credit	No	Yes, one
Validation and fit checks	Yes	Yes
Content check	Yes	Yes
Furthest status	`queued` or `rejected`	`sent`
Written and mailed	Never	Yes

Don’t wait for a test postcard to reach sent. It stops at queued.

What is kept separate

Area	Behavior
Postcards	Lists, the dashboard, and lookups by ID only show the current mode. A postcard from the other mode returns `404 Not Found`.
API keys	The app lists and revokes keys for the current mode only. The 20-key limit counts both modes together.
Idempotency keys	The same key can be used once in each mode.
Rate limits	Each mode has its own counters with the same limits.
Credit balance	Shared. `available_credit_balance` always shows your real balance; test postcards never change it.

Go live checklist

Turn off test mode

Use the account menu or the banner.

Add credits

Check your balance in Billing. Live requests fail with 402 when you have no credits.

Create a live API key

It starts with pj_live_. Store it next to, not instead of, your test key.

Swap the key and send one real card

Send a single postcard to yourself and follow its status before you turn on bulk sending.

A pj_live_ key places real orders and spends credits. Never use it in automated tests or CI.

Get started

Ways to send

Postcards

Account

API reference

Turn test mode on or off

Test each method

What a test postcard does

What is kept separate

Go live checklist

​Turn test mode on or off

​Test each method

​What a test postcard does

​What is kept separate

​Go live checklist

Turn test mode on or off

Test each method

What a test postcard does

What is kept separate

Go live checklist