# TestOwl FAQ: Answers to Common Questions ## Getting started :::faq ### Do I need to write code to use TestOwl? No. TestOwl is a no-code testing platform. Create tests by recording your interactions with your application or by building them visually in the [Step Editor](/docs/building-tests/the-editor). No programming or automation framework knowledge is required. ### Do I need to install anything to use TestOwl? You can build tests, run them on the Cloud, schedule runs, and read reports entirely in your web browser. To **record** tests or run them **locally** on your own machine, install the [Desktop App](/docs/running-and-results/desktop-app) and use TestOwl from inside it. ### What's the difference between a Flow and a Test Case? A [Flow](/docs/building-tests/flows) is a reusable sequence of steps, such as logging in or navigating to a page. A [Test Case](/docs/building-tests/test-cases) is a complete runnable test that belongs to a Test Suite and can reuse one or more Flows. ### If I edit a Flow, does it update every Test Case that uses it? Yes. Test Cases reference Flows rather than copying them. Any changes made to a Flow are automatically reflected everywhere that Flow is used. ### Can I import my existing Playwright, Cypress, or Selenium tests? Yes. The [Import Wizard](/docs/import-test-scripts/overview) converts projects from Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, WebdriverIO, Puppeteer, Nightwatch.js, TestCafe, Robot Framework, and Cucumber into native TestOwl Test Suites, Test Cases, and Flows. ::: ## Running tests and environments :::faq ### Can I run the same Test Case against multiple environments? Yes. When starting a run, select multiple [Environments](/docs/environments/overview). TestOwl runs the Test Case once for each environment and creates a separate run and report for each. ### What's the difference between Local and Cloud execution? **Local** execution runs tests on your own machine through the Desktop App, and counts towards your Local execution quota. **Cloud** execution runs them on TestOwl's infrastructure, always without a visible browser, and counts towards your Cloud quota. See [Triggering a Run](/docs/running-and-results/triggering-a-run). ### Can I run tests automatically on a schedule? Yes. Use [Schedule Runs](/docs/running-and-results/schedules) to run suites or tests once, at an interval, weekly, monthly, or on custom dates. Scheduled runs use the Cloud, and the number of schedules depends on your plan. ### Why can't I run a Draft Test Case against a Production environment? This is an intentional safety feature. Draft tests and suites can't run against environments whose type is **Production**. Change the status to **Active** once the test is ready. Archived tests can't be run at all. ### Why does my old run say "Expired"? Run screenshots, videos, and logs are kept for your plan's retention period (14–90 days). After that the run stays in Run History, but its detailed report is removed. ::: ## Test data and security :::faq ### How do I avoid hardcoding usernames, passwords, and API keys? Use [Variables](/docs/data/variables) for reusable non-sensitive values, and [Secrets](/docs/data/secrets) for sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, and access tokens. ::: ## Managing your project :::faq ### Can I restore deleted items? Yes. Deleted Test Suites, Test Cases, Flows, Environments, Variables, Secrets, and Tags go to the [Recycle Bin](/docs/workspace/recycle-bin), where you can restore them for **15 days**. After that, they are permanently deleted. ### What happens if I delete a Flow that's being used? TestOwl won't send a Flow that's still in use to the Recycle Bin. It shows you where the Flow is used and lets you delete it permanently, which also removes it from every test that uses it. Review the **Used In** list first. ### Can I delete a Tag that's still being used? No. A Tag can't be deleted while it's assigned to any Test Suite, Test Case, or Flow. Remove the Tag from those items first. ### Who can see and change what in a project? That depends on their [role](/docs/team-and-account/project-roles): Owner, Admin, Editor, or Viewer. For example, Editors can create and edit but not delete, and only Owners can manage billing or delete the project. ::: ## Plans, usage and billing :::faq ### What plans are available? Every new project starts on a free 7-day **Trial**. Paid plans are **Starter**, **Pro**, and **Scale**, billed monthly or annually per project. See [Plans & Usage](/docs/team-and-account/plans-and-usage) to compare them and [Billing & Subscriptions](/docs/team-and-account/billing) for how billing works. ### What counts as an execution? One Test Case run against one Environment is one execution. Ten tests across two environments use 20. Skipped tests, automatic retries, recordings, and single-step debugging don't count. ### What happens when my trial ends or a payment fails? The project becomes **read-only**: you can still view your tests, reports, and history, but you can't create or change anything or start runs until you choose a plan or resolve the payment. Nothing is deleted. See [Plans & Usage](/docs/team-and-account/plans-and-usage). ### What happens if I reach my plan limits? When you reach a resource limit, such as environments, seats, or schedules, you can't add more until you delete something or upgrade. If a run needs more executions than you have left, it isn't started. TestOwl warns you as you approach your quota. ### Why does my old run say "Expired"? Run screenshots, videos, and logs are kept for your plan's retention period (7–14 days). After that the run stays in Run History, but its detailed report is removed. ### Who receives billing emails and alerts? Billing notices go to the project **Owner**. Plan, quota, and schedule alerts go to Owners and Admins. See [Notifications](/docs/workspace/notifications). ### What are AI credits, and are they the same as my execution quota? No, they're separate. **Ask AI** and **Describe with AI** each draw from their own monthly allowance, independent of your test execution quota. If you run out, the project Owner can buy a one-time credit pack, or connect Claude to use your own Anthropic account instead. See [AI Credits & Usage Limits](/docs/team-and-account/ai-credits). ::: ## Integrations and API :::faq ### Is there a public API? Not yet. TestOwl doesn't currently provide a public API for managing projects or triggering test runs. ::: ## Still need help? ::::cardgrid :::card{title="Glossary" href="/docs/support/glossary"} Look up TestOwl terminology and core concepts. ::: :::card{title="Report an Issue" href="/docs/support/report-an-issue"} Send a bug report with screenshots. ::: :::card{title="Contact Us" href="/docs/support/contact-us"} Need direct assistance? Get in touch with the TestOwl team. ::: ::::