> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.usecharlie.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Testing Charlie on a dev store

> How to install and validate your Charlie setup on a Shopify development store before going live

Before launching Charlie on your live store, it's worth running a full test on a development store. This lets you validate your routing rules and confirm orders behave as expected — without affecting real customers or orders.

## 1. Install Charlie on your dev store

Open your development store's Shopify Admin and install Charlie from the App Store.

<Card title="Get Charlie on Shopify App Store" icon="shopify" href="https://apps.shopify.com/charlie-1">
  Install Charlie
</Card>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Approve permissions">
    Charlie requests access to your locations, inventory, and order routing settings. Approve the permissions to continue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automatic plan detection">
    Charlie automatically detects that you're on a development store and applies a **Developer plan at no cost**. You won't be charged.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start setup">
    You now have full access to Charlie. Follow the setup flow to configure your locations, rules, and constraints — exactly as you would on your live store.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## 2. Configure Charlie

Set up Charlie the same way you plan to on your live store. Your dev store is completely separate, so there's no risk of affecting real orders.

| What to configure           | Where                                                                               |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Locations**               | Enable each location that should be eligible for fulfillment                        |
| **Capacity**                | Set daily order limits per location                                                 |
| **Safety stock**            | Define inventory buffers per location                                               |
| **Fulfillment constraints** | Block specific products, customers, or carts from certain locations                 |
| **Routing rules**           | Set your prioritization logic — closest location, most stock, warehouse-first, etc. |

<Info>
  Not sure where to start? Read [Build your routing strategy](/guides/build-your-routing-strategy) before configuring rules.
</Info>

***

## 3. Place test orders

Once Charlie is configured, place orders on your dev store as if you were a customer. Use a test payment method to avoid any charges.

After each order, check two things:

* **Shopify Admin → Orders** — confirm the order was assigned to the location you expected
* **Charlie dashboard** — confirm the routing decision matches your rules

### Scenarios to test

Before testing, write down what you expect to happen for each scenario. Then place the order and compare.

| Scenario                                        | What to check                                                    |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Multiple locations have stock                   | Which location was selected — does it match your priority rules? |
| One location is at capacity                     | Did the order go to the next eligible location?                  |
| Stock is at or below the safety stock threshold | Was that location excluded from the order?                       |
| A fulfillment constraint applies                | Was the constrained location correctly blocked?                  |

<Tip>
  You can adjust inventory levels manually in **Shopify Admin → Products → \[Product] → Inventory** to simulate different stock situations without needing physical inventory.
</Tip>

***

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/getting-started/installation">
    Install Charlie on your live store
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build your routing strategy" icon="map" href="/guides/build-your-routing-strategy">
    Key decisions before configuring routing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Capacity" icon="gauge-high" href="/locations/capacity">
    Set daily order limits per location
  </Card>

  <Card title="Safety stock" icon="shield" href="/inventory/safety-stock">
    Protect inventory across your network
  </Card>
</CardGroup>