What is a Sandbox Environment?
A sandbox is a secure test environment where you can experiment without affecting your actual data.
It functions like a metaphorical playground where you can explore the system to better understand how it works or test new ideas 🛝.
The sandbox environment is separate from your main account, ensuring that your testing activities do not impact your live data, calculations, or setup.
Why Should You Use Productive's Sandbox?
Productive's Sandbox provides a secure, isolated environment for users to experiment with various features without altering the organizational data.
It allows for the safe exploration of features and functionalities under controlled conditions, which can lead to smoother implementation of new processes and decision-making.
Benefits of Using Productive's Sandbox
Learning and Training
Practice using the app without fear of making mistakes or messing up your data and financial calculations.
Onboarding
Safely train new Productive users, ensuring they get comfortable with the system before using it live.
Scenario Planning
Set up resourcing or budgets to see how everything functions with a different scenario or approach you’re considering.
Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving
Experiment with features like invoices, automations, and service prices without any risk.
The Sandbox is available on all Productive subscription plans.
How to Access the Sandbox?
To access your Sandbox, hover over your avatar in the upper-right corner and select "Sandbox".
Identifying the Sandbox Environment
When in the Sandbox, you'll notice:
A "Sandbox" badge below the Productive logo.
An info banner at the bottom of the screen.
URL format:
sandbox.productive.io.Red color coding for buttons and menus, instead of the usual violet.
Sandbox Restart
The Sandbox is updated and restarted every Sunday at 02:00 AM CET.
All data created in the past week in the Sandbox environment will be deleted, and all data created in the past week in the main environment will be synced to the Sandbox.
After the update, the default and Sandbox environments should look the same.
Who Can Access the Sandbox?
Everyone, regardless of their permission set, including employees, contractors, and clients, can access the Sandbox.
Note that new users added during an active Sandbox cycle will have to wait until the next Sunday for their Sandbox to appear.
Important: Sandbox Start
After you start your subscription, your Sandbox environment will be ready in seven days, giving your data time to sync completely.
In the meantime, feel free to explore Productive using your main organization account!
Limited Outbound Communication in the Sandbox Environment
All outbound communications, including emails, webhook integrations, SSO, Pulses, payment reminders, configuring calendar or Slack integrations, and sending emails with automations, will be limited in the Sandbox environment.
Unavailable options will be greyed out with a tooltip indicating the feature is not usable in the Sandbox.
Switching Plans in the Sandbox Environment
Users cannot switch subscription plans in the Sandbox environment.
If you'd like to try out other plans, you can easily do so in your main environment by going to Settings > Billing.
