No safe way to prepare a launch: a paused campaign can't be tested or loaded, so we go live to test

When I onboard a new client, I build their campaigns paused. Then I'm stuck: a paused campaign can't send a test, and its contacts can't be imported. The only way to see the real email and SMS on my phone, or to load the client's list, is to switch the campaign on. If that happens during its sending window, it starts sending to real customers right away. For a client's very first campaign, where nothing may go wrong, that is exactly backwards.

What happens today (9 November 2026)

1. On a paused campaign, "Send test" is greyed out, with no explanation.

2. On an active campaign outside its sending window, "Send now" on the test is postponed to the next window.

3. "Invite multiple contacts" (CSV import) only lists active campaigns, and its button is "Import and start sending": the daily batch starts today.

4. The tester is enrolled in the whole sequence, so after testing I have to find and delete my own contact before launch.

Proposal

1. Allow "Send test" on paused campaigns, sent immediately whatever the sending window, and only the step being tested (or a "test the whole sequence now" option).

2. Allow importing a CSV into a paused campaign: contacts wait, and sending starts with the daily limit when the campaign is resumed. A "start date" for the import would also do. (Related: Upload csv of contacts without adding to campaign, Campaign schedule on bulk import.)

3. Remove test contacts automatically once their test is sent, or keep them out of the contact list.