Use a Test / Debug gateway to inspect message text and outcomes before selecting a real provider. Log only records the rehearsal in History without sending an SMS or contacting an SMS provider.

Create a separate rehearsal gateway

1. Open PD Modules → SMS Manager → Gateways.
2. Choose Add a gateway → Test / Debug.
3. Give it a clear name such as SMS rehearsal.
4. Set Mode to Log only (record in History, send nothing).
5. Leave Simulate failure off for the first successful rehearsal and save.

Do not select Email mode if you want a rehearsal without email either. Email mode sends a preview to administrators; leaving the address blank can send to active administrators rather than a single selected inbox.

Rehearse the intended text

Open Send SMS, explicitly choose the rehearsal gateway under Send via, and use an approved test recipient record or test number. Enter a short message and choose Count segments. Check that the intended gateway remains selected before submitting the rehearsal.

Open History and inspect the stored body, gateway and outcome. A successful Test / Debug record confirms that the module processed that rehearsal; it does not prove that the selected provider’s authentication, sending permissions, sender identity or phone delivery works.

Keep rehearsals separate from live routing

For an automatic-message rehearsal, select the test gateway explicitly on the intended trigger. Check the client’s category preference and the queue settings as well. Do not generate real orders, invoices or customer events merely to test a message on a live installation.

Simulate failure can be used in a controlled rehearsal to inspect error handling. It deliberately makes sends fail. Restore the intended routing before normal operation, and review any queued work before changing a default gateway. Never assume that enabling Log only on one gateway redirects every existing trigger or campaign to it.

See the PD SMS Manager WHMCS guide for related tasks, or explore PD SMS Manager.