Skip to main content

​
Overview

During development, you can test your newly created agent on existing Lua channels without setting up your own integrations. This is perfect for quick testing and validation before deploying to your own channels.
Quick Testing Only: These channels are for development and testing. For production, you’ll want to set up your own dedicated channels.

Instant Testing

No channel setup required - start testing immediately

All Platforms

Test on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Email, and Slack

Real Environment

Test exactly how your agent will behave in production

Easy Switch

Link and unlink agents anytime during development
Each channel uses a special “link” command with your agent ID. Find your agent ID in your lua.skill.yaml file: 
agent:
  agentId: agent_abc123xyz456  # ← Your agent ID

​
WhatsApp Testing

Instant link via WhatsApp:
1

Get Your Link

Replace agentId with your actual agent ID from lua.skill.yaml:Format:
https://wa.me/13023778932?text=link-me-to:agentId
Example with agent ID:
https://wa.me/13023778932?text=link-me-to:agent_abc123xyz456

📱 Click to Open WhatsApp

Replace YOUR_AGENT_ID in the URL with your actual agent ID before clicking
2

Send Message

The message will be pre-filled with your link command. Just tap Send!
3

Start Testing

Your agent is now linked. Start chatting to test your agent!

​
Facebook Messenger Testing

1

Copy Link Command

Copy this text and replace agentId with yours:
link-me-to:agentId
Example:
link-me-to:agent_abc123xyz456
2

Open Messenger

Click to open the Lua Facebook page:

💬 Open Facebook Messenger

Click to start conversation with Lua on Messenger
3

Send Link Command

Paste and send the exact message you copied in Step 1
4

Confirmation

You’ll receive confirmation that your agent is linked
5

Start Testing

Now chat with your agent through Facebook Messenger!

​
Instagram Testing

1

Copy Link Command

Copy this text and replace agentId with yours:
link-me-to:agentId
Example:
link-me-to:agent_abc123xyz456
2

Open Instagram DM

Click to open the Lua Instagram account:

📸 Open Instagram Messages

Click to message @heylua.ai on Instagram
3

Send Link Command

Paste and send the exact message you copied in Step 1
4

Start Testing

Your agent is linked! Test through Instagram DMs

​
Email Testing

1

Copy Link Command

Copy this text and replace agentId with yours:
link-me-to:agentId
Example:
link-me-to:agent_abc123xyz456
2

Compose Email

Click to open your email client:

✉️ Send Email to [email protected]

Click to compose email (replace YOUR_AGENT_ID in the body)
3

Send Link Command

Replace YOUR_AGENT_ID in the email body with your actual agent ID and send
4

Start Testing

Reply to the confirmation email to start testing your agent via email

​
Slack Testing

1

Install Lua App

First, add the Lua app to your Slack workspace:

🔗 Install Lua on Slack

Click to authorize Lua app in your Slack workspace
2

Copy Link Command

Copy this text and replace agentId with yours:
link-me-to:agentId
Example:
link-me-to:agent_abc123xyz456
3

DM Lua App

In Slack, find the “Lua” app in your workspace and send it a direct message with your link command
4

Start Testing

Your agent is linked! Continue chatting in the Slack DM to test

​
Finding Your Agent ID

Your agent ID is in your lua.skill.yaml file: 
agent:
  agentId: agent_abc123xyz456  # ← Copy this
  orgId: org_xyz789
Or run this command in your project directory: 
# View your agent configuration
lua production

# Or check the YAML file
cat lua.skill.yaml | grep agentId

​
Testing Workflow

1

Link Agent

Use one of the methods above to link your agent to a test channel
2

Make Changes

Edit your tools, skills, or persona locally
3

Push Changes

lua push
4

Test on Channel

Chat with your agent on the linked channel to test changes
5

Iterate

Repeat steps 2-4 until satisfied

​
Unlinking Your Agent

To stop testing on a channel, send: 
unlink-me
This removes the agent link from that channel.

​
When to Use Test Channels vs Your Own

✅ Quick development testing
  • Testing during active development
  • Validating changes before production
  • Trying new features
  • Debugging issues
✅ When you don’t have channels yet
  • Early development phase
  • Proof of concept
  • Learning the platform

​
Setting Up Your Own Channels

When ready for production, set up your own channels:

WhatsApp Setup

Connect your own WhatsApp Business account

Facebook Setup

Connect your Facebook page

Instagram Setup

Connect your Instagram business account

Email Setup

Set up your custom email channel

Slack Setup

Install on your Slack workspace

Website Widget

Add chat widget to your website

​
Troubleshooting

Check:
  • Agent is deployed: lua push && lua deploy
  • Skills are compiled: lua compile
  • No errors in logs: lua logs
  • Agent has at least one skill with tools
Solution:
  • Send unlink-me to unlink current agent
  • Send new link-me-to:agentId with correct ID
Make sure to:
  1. Save your code changes
  2. Run lua push to upload
  3. Run lua deploy if needed
  4. Test may need a fresh conversation (some platforms cache)

​
Quick Reference

ChannelLink / Instructions
WhatsAppOpen WhatsApp → Replace YOUR_AGENT_ID
FacebookOpen Messenger → Send link-me-to:agentId
InstagramOpen Instagram DM → Send link-me-to:agentId
EmailCompose Email → Replace YOUR_AGENT_ID
SlackInstall App → DM link-me-to:agentId
Send unlink-me on any channel to disconnect your agent.

​
All Testing Channels

WhatsApp Testing

Click to open (replace YOUR_AGENT_ID in URL)

Facebook Messenger

Click to open, then send link command

Instagram DM

Click to open, then send link command

Email Channel

Click to compose (replace YOUR_AGENT_ID)

Slack Installation

Click to install Lua app on Slack

Terminal Testing

Use lua chat for command-line testing

​
Next Steps

Test Your Agent

Use lua chat for local testing first

Set Up Your Channels

Connect your own channels for production

Deploy to Production

Learn the deployment process

Monitor Your Agent

View logs and performance