generated: '2026-06-20'
method: searched
source: >-
  https://mandrill.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038785394-What-is-a-test-API-key-/,
  https://mandrill.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038804654-Does-Mandrill-Have-a-Test-Mode-or-Sandbox-
description: >-
  Mailchimp's sandbox/test-data surface lives in the Transactional (Mandrill)
  API via test API keys. The Marketing API has no separate sandbox environment —
  it operates against live account data (use a trial/free account or a test
  audience for development). No fabricated test values are recorded here.
apis:
  - api: mailchimp:mailchimp-transactional-api
    test_mode:
      supported: true
      mechanism: test API key
      how_to_create: >-
        In the Mandrill account, go to Settings > + New API Key, enter a
        description, check "Test Key", and click Create API Key.
      behavior:
        - No emails are actually sent when a test API key is used.
        - >-
          Test-mode messages are visible in the web interface while in test
          mode, but not while viewing the account normally.
        - Test-mode messages do not count toward monthly send totals.
        - >-
          Test mode does not damage account reputation (no forced bounces or
          spam complaints); useful for exercising bounce/complaint handling.
      limits:
        daily_message_limit: 10000
      docs:
        - https://mandrill.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038785394-What-is-a-test-API-key-/
        - https://mandrill.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038804654-Does-Mandrill-Have-a-Test-Mode-or-Sandbox-
  - api: mailchimp:mailchimp-marketing-api
    test_mode:
      supported: false
      notes: >-
        No dedicated Marketing API sandbox. Develop against a free/trial account
        or a dedicated test audience. The OpenAPI ships Microcks
        (x-microcks-operation) mock hints for local mocking, but that is an API
        Evangelist / tooling convenience, not a Mailchimp-hosted sandbox.