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Test mode: rehearse everything with no real money

What changes in test, how to get test USDC, how to make your test investment and how to go live without breaking anything.

6 min read3 chaptersFor foundersBeginnerUpdated Oct 17, 2026

Chapter 1What it is

Every startup has two separate worlds: test and live. Keys, links, investments, events, webhooks and logs are kept apart. In test nothing moves real money: the USDC is test USDC and Stripe payments use its test card.

Chapter 2Your test investment

  1. Set the selector to “Test”On the dashboard or in Integration.
  2. Open your test linkcheckout.krows.app/test/your-startup, or your button with pk_test. It carries a “TEST” label.
  3. Get test USDCThe test page shows a button to receive test USDC in your wallet.
  4. InvestAs a founder, you can only invest in your own startup in test mode.
  5. Check the test events and webhooksIn the log, with "mode": "test".

Chapter 3Going live

  • Swap pk_test for pk_live on your site and sk_test for sk_live on your server.
  • Create webhook endpoints in live mode too: they are not copied.
  • Open your site: Krows detects the live integration, one of the launch requirements.
  • Launch the round. See Launch your round.
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