---
title: "Instant Tests Overview"
slug: "instant-tests-overview"
updated: 2025-07-22T21:25:22Z
published: 2025-07-22T21:25:22Z
---

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

# Instant Tests Overview

The Instant Tests feature allows you to run a one-off Node-based, Endpoint-based, or WebPageTest test immediately, in order to quickly gather current data or troubleshoot an issue. You can base an Instant Test on an existing test configuration, or create a new configuration from scratch.

When viewing your Instant Test History, you can see the number of free instant test runs available in the upper-right corner of the screen.

![Instant_Test_Usage.png](https://cdn.document360.io/cb4af8f9-6751-4fd2-b39c-07aae832badb/Images/Documentation/4851991489563-Instant_Test_Usage.png)

Each division is allowed 100 free instant test runs per day (12 am-11:59 pm in the Division's time zone) where a test run is a single instance of a test executed by single node. After the free instant test runs are used, each additional test run will use the same number of points as a similarly configured scheduled test, and a warning is displayed at the top of the Instant Tests window. Instant tests initiated by Catchpoint employees are not counted against the daily limit and never consume points.

### To re-run a previous Instant Test:

- Click the **Instant Test** icon   ![](https://cdn.document360.io/cb4af8f9-6751-4fd2-b39c-07aae832badb/Images/Documentation/4404257408795-Instant_Test_Button_Collapsed.png)   in the main navigation (also displayed in the charm bar at the upper   right)
- If applicable, select Web, WebPageTest, or Endpoint to specify the type of Instant Test you want to run.
- Select **History** to view the list of previously configured Instant ests
- Select the desired test
- Click **Run Test**

### To set up a new Instant Test based on an existing Test configuration:

- Click the **Control Center** icon   ![](https://cdn.document360.io/cb4af8f9-6751-4fd2-b39c-07aae832badb/Images/Documentation/4417617284379-Control_Center_Button_Collapsed.png) in the main navigation, then select **Tests** or **Endpoint**, and navigate to the desired test.
- Hover over the desired test then click the three dot menu and select  **Instant Test**.

![Instant_Test_from_existing.png](https://cdn.document360.io/cb4af8f9-6751-4fd2-b39c-07aae832badb/Images/Documentation/4417625553691-Instant_Test_from_existing.png)

- This takes you to the **Instant Test** module and creates a new Instant Test configuration based on the selected test. Make any desired configuration changes and then click **Run Test**

**Note:** Authentication settings are not inherited when triggering an instant test due to security reasons. Make sure to manually add the Username/Password or the credential library components such as Certificates and tokens when running the instant test.

### To configure a new Instant Test from scratch

1. Click the **Instant Test** icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/cb4af8f9-6751-4fd2-b39c-07aae832badb/Images/Documentation/4403307560091-Instant_Test_Button_Collapsed.png) in the main navigation (also displayed in the charm bar at the upper right)
2. If applicable, select Web, WebPageTest, or Endpoint to specify the type of Instant Test you want to run. [See this article for instructions on running WebPageTest Instant Tests](/v1/docs/webpagetest-instant-test)
3. Select **New Instant Test**
4. Follow the steps below based on the type of test you are running
  - **Endpoint**
    1. Input a **Test Location** (IP or host/domain that you want to run the Traceroute test against.)
    2. Input the Endpoint(s) (up to five) that you want to run the Instant Test from. (Use the **List** feature to search for Endpoints.)
  - **Node**
    1. Select a **Test Type** or **Test Template** in the **Test Type** dropdown.
    2. Select a **Monitor** (if applicable)
    3. Complete the basic test configuration fields (Exact options will depend on the selected Test Type and Monitor. See test configuration [documentation](https://docs.catchpoint.com/docs/) for more information.)
    4. In the **Nodes** field, input the name of one or more Nodes to run this Instant Test. Use the List feature to select nodes.
    5. Configure any additional settings per the selected Test Type.
5. Once the configuration is complete, click **Run Test**

The page will display "loading" while the test is running. Once complete, it will automatically refresh and display test results.