generated: '2026-07-19'
method: searched
source: https://developers.hellosign.com/docs/additional-resources/embedded-testing-tool/
note: >-
  Dropbox Sign provides a free test mode rather than a separate sandbox host. All
  requests run against the same api.hellosign.com/v3 base URL; test vs. live is
  controlled per-request and by API-app mode.
test_mode:
  mechanism: test_mode parameter
  description: >-
    Setting test_mode=1 on signature-request / unclaimed-draft / template-draft
    creation flows produces non-legally-binding test documents that are not
    counted against billing. Test-mode requests can be made with the API key
    even on free API plans.
  applies_to:
    - signatureRequestSend
    - signatureRequestSendWithTemplate
    - signatureRequestCreateEmbedded
    - unclaimedDraftCreate
    - templateCreateEmbeddedDraft
api_app_modes:
  - test: API apps default to test mode until approved for production via the app-approval flow.
  - production: Requires app approval (submitting / self-publish) for Embedded and OAuth apps.
tools:
  - name: Embedded Testing Tool
    url: https://developers.hellosign.com/docs/additional-resources/embedded-testing-tool/
    description: Test an embedded eSignature integration without building a full UI.
  - name: Try it console
    description: Interactive API console in the reference docs; API-key calls are sent in test_mode only.
caveats:
  - No published magic test card / bank values (Dropbox Sign is not a payments API).
  - OAuth apps and Embedded workflows require app approval before live use.