Test Calls

Before pointing real phone traffic at an agent, you should test it. BuildVoiceAI lets you make test calls directly from the dashboard so you can hear exactly how your agent sounds and verify it handles conversations correctly.

How to Make a Test Call

Navigate to Agents in the sidebar
Click on the agent you want to test to open its detail page
Click the Test Call button
Your browser will request microphone permission — click Allow
The call connects and you can speak with your agent in real time
Click End Call when you are finished

The test call behaves exactly like a real call. The agent uses the same prompt, voice, knowledge base, and configuration it would use for a live caller.

How It Works Per Provider

The test call mechanism differs depending on which voice provider your agent uses:

Retell

Test calls use WebRTC through the retell-client-js-sdk. The audio connection is established directly in your browser — no phone call is placed. You speak through your computer microphone and hear the agent through your speakers or headphones.

Vapi

Similar to Retell, test calls use WebRTC via the @vapi-ai/web SDK. The connection is browser-based with audio through your microphone and speakers.

Bland

Bland does not support browser-based WebRTC calls. Instead, when you click Test Call with a Bland agent, Bland places a phone call to your number. You will receive an incoming call from the agent on your phone.

For Bland agents, make sure you have a valid phone number configured in your account settings so the test call can reach you.

After the Test Call

Once the call ends, it appears in your Call History like any other call. You can:

Listen to the recording
Read the transcript
Review the summary and sentiment analysis
Check the call score

This makes it easy to evaluate agent performance and iterate on your prompt or configuration.

Browser Requirements

A modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) with WebRTC support
Microphone access — the browser will prompt for permission on your first test call
Stable internet connection for clear audio quality

💡

Use headphones during test calls to prevent echo. If the agent hears its own voice through your speakers, it may respond to itself and create a feedback loop.

Cost

Test calls consume provider API credits just like production calls. They are billed at the same per-minute rate as regular calls. Keep this in mind when running extensive testing.

⚠️

Test calls are not free. Each test call uses real provider minutes and will appear on your provider bill. Keep test calls focused and concise to manage costs.