# Test it before you invite anyone

> Go through the invite as a guest would, so the first real guest isn't your tester.

- Where: Event → People, and your phone
- Console path: https://aaa.attend.vip/{org}/{event}/people
- Do first: [Write your invite](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/write-invite.md)
- Attend MCP tools: `guests__sendTestInviteEmail`, `guests__createGuests`, `guests__guestsSendInvite`
- Updated: 2026-10-19

Before your guest list hears from you, see exactly what they'll see: the email, the download, signing in and the app. It takes ten minutes and catches most problems.

## Start with a test email

In **Settings → Invites & emails**, use **Preview & test** to check every version of the email, then **Send test to me** to see it in your own inbox on your phone. No guest is added and nothing is billed. See [Write your invite](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/write-invite.md).

A test email's code and QR code are placeholders, so to try signing in and the app itself, use one of the options below.

## Option A: invite yourself to the real event

1. On **People**, select **New guest** and add yourself. Use an email address you can open on your phone.
2. Tick **Send their invite email now** and select **Add & invite**.
3. On your phone, open the email and follow it exactly as a guest would:
   - Download **Attend Events** from the App Store or Google Play.
   - Open the app and enter your email and the 6-digit code from the email. (Or open the email on another screen and scan its QR code.) The code lasts about 2 hours; resend the invite if it expires.
   - Confirm your spot.
4. When you're done, open your guest record and choose **Cancel invite** so you don't appear in guest counts.

Inviting yourself counts as one guest on your bill. To test without that, use a sandbox.

## Option B: use a sandbox event

A [sandbox event](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/create-event.md) is free and never emails real guests. Every email goes to the host address instead. Use it to try the full flow with a fake guest list, including reminders and waitlists.

A sandbox has its own settings, so copy your invite wording and branding across if you want to see them there.

## What to check

- [ ] The email looks right on your phone, in **light and dark mode**.
- [ ] The banner or header image isn't cropped awkwardly.
- [ ] The invitation message reads well and has no typos.
- [ ] The app's home screen shows your header image, colour and event details.
- [ ] Only the tabs you want are showing (see [Choose what guests see](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/choose-features.md)).
- [ ] The schedule, travel and documents a guest sees are correct and published.
- [ ] Any forms you ask guests to fill in work end to end.
- [ ] Replying to the invite email reaches your team. This only works if the event has a **Host email** set.

## Do it with Claude or ChatGPT

With Attend connected (https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/connect-ai/), paste:

```text
Using Attend, send me a test of the invitation email for my event [event name], then list any lines in it that still use the default wording.
```