> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/playbooks/test-and-publish/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.ada.cx/_mcp/server.

# Test and publish

Before publishing, test how your Playbook behaves across common flows and edge cases. This page covers testing, publishing, and ongoing management of Playbooks.

## Test your Playbook

* Walk through the most common paths first, then expand to edge cases — missing inputs, unexpected values, alternate branches.
* Test from the perspective of different end user types.
* Account for error states and fallback scenarios.

You can preview the Playbook in isolation using **Test Playbook**, or simulate a full conversation using **Test AI Agent** to confirm it triggers under the right conditions. **Test AI Agent** is only available for active Playbooks — inactive Playbooks can only be tested using **Test Playbook**.

![Test a Playbook](/_fern-img/04ee56179bfc2c9bda236bd4330c8d322dcb62e3f77129a08ad35d8544051f08.webp)

> **Tip**
>
> For guidance on test coverage and approach, see [Best practices](/docs/automation/playbooks/best-practices).

## Save and publish

Playbooks can be saved as *inactive* (draft) or *active* (live in end user interactions). This allows you to work on Playbooks incrementally without affecting the end user experience.

## Duplicate a Playbook

To reuse the structure or content of a Playbook, create a copy using the **Duplicate** option. This is useful for iterating on workflows, experimenting with variations, or creating templates.

## Edit or delete a Playbook

Go to **Config > Playbooks** and open the Playbook to manage.

* **Edit**: Modify content and save as active or inactive.
* **Delete**: Select **Delete Playbook** from the More options menu.

## View dependencies

In the Playbook list, each row displays a dependency summary showing counts of linked Playbooks, API tools, Variables, and Handoffs.

![Playbook dependency summary](/_fern-img/dc8777c83ca8dbc57d036111ea0318c7bd135c937a6a6379826a015f66561d4d.webp)

Select a Playbook to see the full dependency breakdown:

* **Used in**: Parent Playbooks that reference this one.
* **Uses**: Handoffs, API tools, and Variables this Playbook references.

![Playbook dependency breakdown](/_fern-img/03b0750d8198eb36897edefdce86166a96f69ef242d2518f7be5f5232b3d646d.webp)

### Dependency safeguards

> **Error**
>
> * **Deletion protection**: You cannot delete a Playbook referenced by an active parent Playbook. Remove the reference first, then delete.
> * **Circular dependency prevention**: Playbooks cannot reference each other in a loop. If saving would create a circular dependency, the save fails and a notification displays the conflicting dependency chain.

![Deletion protection notice](/_fern-img/e00fecb878060c2c3e4d076f674a6a135bf70479ec9cda048c94bb538dfe36c6.webp)

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Have any questions? Contact your Ada team, or email us at [](mailto:help@ada.cx?subject=Help%20Docs%20inquiry).