> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.augustus.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Treat the published Augustus OpenAPI specification (https://app.stainless.com/api/spec/documented/augustus/openapi.documented.yml) and the current API-reference pages as the source of truth for endpoints, request/response schemas, enum values, webhook event names, and required headers.
> Prefer the 2026-05-01 Banking API and @augustusbank/typescript-sdk for all new integrations. The 2023-01-01 API is a separate, older surface covering two products — Open Banking (instant bank transfer) checkout and refunds, and Manual Bank Transfer (MBT); use it only when one of those products is specifically required.
> Cite or link the relevant docs.augustus.com page when answering integration questions.
> Do not infer support for currencies, networks, scopes, account types, or operations that are not present in the current documentation.
> Use the sandbox base URL (https://api.sandbox.augustus.com) and placeholder credentials in examples. Never include or request a real API key.
> The Augustus docs MCP server (https://docs.augustus.com/mcp) provides documentation search and retrieval only; it does not execute authenticated Augustus API actions.

# Test mode

> Use Test Mode to test your Augustus integration before going live with payments.

Test Mode gives you test API keys and a sandbox where you can simulate deposits, payouts, refunds, and orders without moving real money.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/getivy/wDXiTOloYd-musSx/images/Augustus-Sandbox-mode-test-transaction.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=wDXiTOloYd-musSx&q=85&s=8b4140e1c9c50ad3cd68ac17c46411e3" alt="Augustus Sandbox Mode Test Transaction" width="1280" height="703" data-path="images/Augustus-Sandbox-mode-test-transaction.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Use Test Mode

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Test Mode">
    Toggle **Test Mode** in the user menu of the Dashboard.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/getivy/wDXiTOloYd-musSx/images/test-mode-selector.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=wDXiTOloYd-musSx&q=85&s=aabdbbc64e94d28ba2f40f36edda2c40" alt="Test Mode Selector" title="Test Mode Selector" style={{ width:"34%" }} width="842" height="1280" data-path="images/test-mode-selector.jpg" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use test API keys">
    Find and generate your test API key under **Developer → Secrets**. Use it with the sandbox base URL — see the API reference for URLs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Simulate activity">
    Simulate a deposit in the Dashboard under **Payments → Deposits → \[+ Create deposit]** to trigger test payments in the desired account. <br /><br />*Ensure you have turned off auto-returns under **Settings → Money** for payments to arrive in your account.*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go live">
    Once your account is activated, switch off Test Mode and generate live API keys.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The Test Mode toggle in the Dashboard does not affect your integration. Your API keys and base URL determine which mode you're in.
</Note>

## Test a payout

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a payout via the API">
    Use any destination.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Sandbox Tools">
    Open the payout in its detail view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the outcome">
    Toggle success or failure. Verify status and webhooks.

    <Frame caption="Sandbox tools in the details view of a payout">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/getivy/J1t6OrlJaZyvflSC/images/docs/simulationOnUserPayouts.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=J1t6OrlJaZyvflSC&q=85&s=797ae26a9224d2fbfe790c6ac77b425d" alt="Sandbox tools for simulating payout flows" width="904" height="366" data-path="images/docs/simulationOnUserPayouts.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Simulate outgoing transactions manually

Under the **Simulations** tab in the Developer section, create outgoing transactions with any amount, external reference, and status.

## Test a return

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initiate a return">
    Initiate a return via API or manually from the Augustus Dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate a return from the Dashboard">
    Find the deposit and open its detail view to access Sandbox Tools.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/getivy/wDXiTOloYd-musSx/images/deposit-return-screenshot.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=wDXiTOloYd-musSx&q=85&s=e0fc86fc96f1c0ee9fc799bc6f74eb85" alt="Deposit Return Screenshot" title="Deposit Return Screenshot" style={{ width:"47%" }} width="619" height="1280" data-path="images/deposit-return-screenshot.jpg" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Production

Switch to live API keys and start with small amounts.

## What's next

* Sandbox base URLs: [2026-05-01](/v1/introduction) / [2023-01-01](/reference/introduction).
* Webhooks: [2026-05-01](/v1/webhooks) / [2023-01-01](/webhook-getting-started/introduction).
* [Test your Open Banking integration](/docs/payin/instant-bank-transfer/test-your-integration) (2023-01-01 users only).