# How to Navigate the TestOwl Interface

:::lead
Take a quick tour of the TestOwl interface before you start building and running automated tests.
:::

Everything you build in TestOwl belongs to a **project** (see [Creating a Project](/docs/getting-started/creating-a-project)). Once you open a project, the left sidebar gives you access to every major feature, from creating tests to reviewing execution results.

## Sidebar

| Section | What you'll find there |
| --- | --- |
| **Dashboard** | A high-level view of your project's health: suite and test counts, pass-rate and duration trends, environment coverage, and your most unstable tests. See [Dashboard](/docs/getting-started/dashboard). |
| **Home** | The fastest way to start a new test — either record it yourself, or switch to **Describe with AI** and let AI perform a plan you type. See [Recording a Test](/docs/building-tests/recording-a-test) and [Creating Tests with AI](/docs/building-tests/creating-tests-with-ai). |
| **Test Suites** | Group related test cases into suites for easier management and execution. See [Test Suites](/docs/building-tests/test-suites). |
| **Tests** | Every test case in your project in one searchable list, regardless of suite. See [Test Cases](/docs/building-tests/test-cases). |
| **Run History** | Every test execution with its status, runner, environment, and duration. Open any run to see its report. See [Run History](/docs/running-and-results/run-history). |
| **Schedule Runs** | Run suites or tests automatically, once or on a repeating schedule. See [Scheduling Runs](/docs/running-and-results/schedules). |
| **Flow** | Reusable groups of steps that can be shared across test cases. See [Flows](/docs/building-tests/flows). |
| **Import Tests** | Bring in existing Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, Robot Framework and other tests. See [Import Wizard](/docs/import-test-scripts/overview). |
| **Environment** | Configure where and how your tests run: browser, device, locale, network, and more. See [Environments](/docs/environments/overview). |
| **Data Config** | Project-wide **Variables** and **Secrets** you can reuse instead of hardcoding values. See [Variables](/docs/data/variables) and [Secrets](/docs/data/secrets). |
| **Recycle Bin** | Restore or permanently delete items you've deleted. Items are kept for 15 days. See [Recycle Bin](/docs/workspace/recycle-bin). |
| **Settings** | Security & Privacy (masking rules), User Management, Manage Project (plan and usage), Manage Tags, and Billing (Owner only). See [Settings](#settings). |

At the bottom of the sidebar:

| Item | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Help Docs** | Opens this documentation. |
| **Feedback** | Rate your experience and send suggestions. See [Sending Feedback](/docs/support/feedback). |
| **Report Issue** | Report a bug with screenshots. See [Reporting an Issue](/docs/support/report-an-issue). |
| **Logout** | Sign out of TestOwl. |

:::info{title="Recording and Local runs need the Desktop App"}
Recording tests and running them on your own machine (**Local** runs) happen inside the TestOwl Desktop App. On the web, **Record** is turned off and Local runs are unavailable, but you can do everything else — build tests, run them on the Cloud, and read reports. If the app isn't installed yet, click **Download App** in the sidebar. See [The Desktop App](/docs/running-and-results/desktop-app).
:::

## Settings

**Settings** groups the project-level configuration into tabs:

| Tab | What it's for |
| --- | --- |
| **Security & Privacy** | Masking rules that hide sensitive data in screenshots and videos. See [Masking Rules](/docs/data/masking-rules). |
| **User Management** | Invite teammates, change roles, and manage invitations. See [Inviting Team Members](/docs/team-and-account/inviting-members). |
| **Manage Project** | Rename or delete the project, and see its plan, quota, and usage. See [Plans & Usage](/docs/team-and-account/plans-and-usage). |
| **AI Credits** | Your project's Ask AI and Describe with AI balance, usage, and credit pack purchases. See [AI Credits & Usage Limits](/docs/team-and-account/ai-credits). |
| **Manage Tags** | Create and manage tags for tests, suites, and flows. See [Tags](/docs/data/tags). |
| **Billing** | Choose a plan, pay, and download invoices. Visible to the project Owner only. See [Billing & Subscriptions](/docs/team-and-account/billing). |

## The top bar

The bar across the top of every page has:

- **Breadcrumbs** showing where you are.
- **Search** — press **Ctrl/⌘ + K** to jump to any test, suite, flow, run, and more. See [Global Search](/docs/workspace/global-search).
- **Tour** — replay the Quick Tour or the Full Product Tour. See [Guided Tours](/docs/workspace/guided-tours).
- **Notifications** (the bell) — alerts about your plan, quota, schedules, and billing. See [Notifications](/docs/workspace/notifications).
- **Project Plan** — the plan of the project you have open.
- **Account menu** — your account, Settings, and Logout.

## Working with projects

You can belong to multiple projects. Each project is completely independent and has its own:

- Test Suites, Test Cases, and Flows
- Environments
- Variables and Secrets
- Schedules
- Run History and Reports
- Team members and permissions
- Plan and settings

Use the **Project Switcher** at the top of the sidebar to switch between projects, or to create a new one.

:::info{title="Explore the Sample Demo Project"}
Every account includes a read-only **Sample Demo Project** filled with example test suites, flows, environments, and execution history. It's a great way to explore TestOwl and see how a real project is organised before creating your own.

Learn more in [Creating a Project](/docs/getting-started/creating-a-project).
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## Next steps

::::cardgrid
:::card{title="Quickstart" href="/docs/getting-started/quickstart"}
Create your first project, record a test, and run it in just a few minutes.
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:::card{title="Creating a Project" href="/docs/getting-started/creating-a-project"}
Learn how projects are organised and how to create your own.
:::

:::card{title="The Step Editor" href="/docs/building-tests/the-editor"}
Discover how to build and customise automated tests visually.
:::
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