Fin three-mode QA before AI agent go-live
Use Preview, Batch tests, and Simulations together before an AI support workflow goes live so you catch both local mistakes and system-level failures.
Why this can grow a startup
AI support flows usually fail in two places: the answer quality and the workflow around the answer. Intercom's testing stack is useful because each mode catches a different class of mistake. Preview is fast for spot checks while building. Batch tests are broad enough to expose coverage gaps across many questions. Simulations check whether a Procedure actually survives end-to-end logic before customers touch it. Running only one mode leaves blind spots that show up later as confused handoffs, wrong escalations, and support debt.
Company example
Intercom's March 16, 2026 help guidance says teams should use all three tools in combination before go-live: Preview for quick manual checks, Simulations for end-to-end Procedure validation, and Batch tests to confirm answers across real customer questions.
Source and metric
Source: Intercom Help: Simulations vs. Batch tests vs. Previews
Batch tests support up to 50 questions per test group, while Simulations have a monthly workspace limit of 50 to 2,500 runs depending on conversation volume.
Source discovered: May 30, 2026
When to use it
Use this when AI Support, Support, Product is relevant to qa, ai agent, support automation and you can run a bounded test with a free budget.
When not to use it
Do not use it as a substitute for customer evidence, a clear owner, or a measurable stop condition. Local platform rules and market behavior still need checking.
Founder checklist
- Read Intercom Help: Simulations vs. Batch tests vs. Previews and identify what is directly supported.
- Choose one channel context: AI Support, Support, Product.
- Define the test around Batch tests support up to 50 questions per test group, while Simulations have a monthly workspace limit of 50 to 2,500 runs depending on conversation volume..
- Set an owner, evidence window, and stop condition before launch.
Explore the context
Apply this with an operator
Choose product surfaces that compound distribution without hiding weak activation or retention.