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Start session

The CLI opens a DM to the HookMyApp test Instagram account. Send the prefilled message from your Instagram account. That account is now connected to this sandbox session.

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Listen for messages locally

Keep the command running while you test. HookMyApp sends sandbox Instagram DMs to that route.

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Send test message

The sandbox only sends to your connected Instagram account. There is no --to flag on sandbox send.

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Env values

Write the sandbox env values to a .env file your server can load.
For an Instagram sandbox session:
  • WEBHOOK_HMAC_SECRET: the HMAC secret your server uses to verify X-HookMyApp-Signature-256 on incoming webhooks.
  • VERIFY_TOKEN: the value your server echoes back on the one-time verification GET when you run sandbox webhook set. Not the HMAC secret.
  • PORT: where your local server listens.
    Defaults to 3000.
  • INSTAGRAM_API_URL: the sandbox send URL.
  • INSTAGRAM_ACCESS_TOKEN: the sandbox channel token used to send DMs.
  • INSTAGRAM_ACCOUNT_ID: the ID of the test Instagram account.
The sandbox uses INSTAGRAM_ACCOUNT_ID.
A connected Instagram channel also emits INSTAGRAM_ACCOUNT_ID.

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Manage session

  • Activate: hookmyapp sandbox start instagram opens a new sandbox session.
  • Connect: send the prefilled DM from the Instagram account you want to test with.
  • Lifetime: a session stays active until you stop it or start a new one.
  • Reactivate: run hookmyapp sandbox start instagram again and DM the sandbox account from the same user.
    You get fresh env values.
  • Stop early: hookmyapp sandbox stop tears down the session immediately.
  • Multiple sessions: use --username <@handle> with sandbox env, sandbox send, sandbox logs, and sandbox webhook.

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Inspect messages

  • hookmyapp sandbox logs streams the session delivery log.
    Add --follow to tail it live and --verbose for full bodies.
  • hookmyapp sandbox webhook show prints where sandbox messages are delivered. hookmyapp sandbox webhook set overrides it and hookmyapp sandbox webhook clear reverts to the CLI-managed default.

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Limitations

  • You can only message your connected Instagram account.
  • Connect your own Instagram account when you are ready for real customers.

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Next steps