# Test your Chirp in the preview

> Chat with your Chirp beside the editor before anyone else sees it.

Source: https://www.chirpbuilder.com/help/chirps/test-in-preview  
Plans: Essentials, Creator, Business, Academy  
Last checked: 2026-10-26

When you're done, you'll know how your Chirp answers, before you share it.

**Who can do this:** anyone who can edit or view the Chirp, on any plan.

**What you'll need:** a saved Chirp, and your OpenRouter key connected.

## Try it

1. Open the Chirp. The preview is on the right of the editor (below it on a small screen).
2. Click a conversation starter, or type a message and press Enter.

   ![The preview beside the editor: the question "Why are my tomato leaves turning yellow?", Garden Helper's answer, and the Reset button at the top.](https://mjmtbasmrtksluvlnema.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/help-media/web-optimized/chirps/test-in-preview/SS-CHIRP-030-01__preview__essentials__detail__v01.webp?v=bf076c5508)

3. To start over, click **Reset** at the top of the preview.

## What the preview uses

The preview uses what you last **saved**, including changes you haven't published yet. That makes it
the place to check a change before visitors get it. If you've edited something since saving, a note
under the preview says **Save to try your latest changes**.

![The preview with the note under it: Save to try your latest changes. Preview chats use your OpenRouter key like any chat.](https://mjmtbasmrtksluvlnema.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/help-media/web-optimized/chirps/test-in-preview/SS-CHIRP-030-02__unsaved__essentials__detail__v01.webp?v=748d26efe7)

Good to know:

- **It costs the same as a real chat.** Preview answers are charged to the OpenRouter key your Chirps
  use, like any other.
- **Actions really run.** If the Chirp has Actions, the preview calls the other app for real, so a
  change you confirm really happens there.
- **Visitor limits don't apply to you.** Pause, access codes and daily visitor limits never stop your
  own preview. The hourly limit on messages still does.
- **Nothing is kept.** Preview chats aren't saved, and they aren't counted as visitor messages in
  Analytics. What they cost is included in your cost totals, because OpenRouter charges for them.
- **Files work if visitors can send them.** The paperclip shows when **Visitor uploads** is on.

## If it doesn't work

- **"Save your Chirp to try it here."** Save the Chirp once first.
- **"Connect your OpenRouter key in Settings so your Chirps can answer."** See
  [Connect your OpenRouter key](https://www.chirpbuilder.com/help/openrouter/connect-key).
- **Your key isn't working, or your account is out of credit.** Fix the key or add credit at
  OpenRouter: [Connect your OpenRouter key](https://www.chirpbuilder.com/help/openrouter/connect-key#if-it-doesnt-work).
- **"Connection lost. Please try again."** Your connection dropped; send the message again.