> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.revolv3.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sandbox Environment Limitations

> Understand the limitations and constraints of the Revolv3 sandbox environment. Learn about data retention, maintenance windows, and transaction limits.

## Why Sandbox Has Limitations

The **sandbox environment** is designed for testing, not production workloads. It has limitations to:

* **Prevent abuse**: Stop people from using sandbox for production traffic
* **Manage resources**: Keep sandbox costs reasonable
* **Simulate real conditions**: Some limitations mirror production constraints
* **Maintain stability**: Ensure sandbox stays available for all developers

**Important**: These limitations apply to sandbox only. Production has different (typically higher) limits.

## WorldPay Sandbox Limitations

If you're using WorldPay as your processor, these limitations apply in sandbox:

### Data Retention Policy

* **Maximum retention**: Data is retained for a maximum of **30 days**
* **Purges may occur more frequently**: Depending on system capacity and maintenance
* **Advanced notification**: You'll be notified when possible before data purges

**What this means**:

* Test data older than 30 days may be deleted
* Don't rely on sandbox data for long-term testing
* Export or document important test data if you need it longer

### Maintenance Windows

WorldPay sandbox has scheduled maintenance:

**General maintenance**:

* **Days**: Tuesdays and Thursdays
* **Time**: 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM ET
* **Impact**: Sandbox may be unavailable during these windows

**Enterprise eProtect maintenance**:

* **Frequency**: Every other Thursday
* **Time**: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM ET
* **Impact**: eProtect features may be unavailable

**What to do**:

* Plan testing around maintenance windows
* Don't schedule critical tests during maintenance
* Check WorldPay status if sandbox seems unavailable

### Transaction Limits

**Online transactions**:

* **Daily limit**: 1,000 transactions per day
* **Shared capacity**: This is shared across all sandbox users, so your actual limit may be lower during peak usage

**Batch transactions**:

* **Daily limit**: 10,000 batch transactions per day

**What this means**:

* Don't run high-volume load tests in sandbox
* If you hit limits, wait until the next day
* For high-volume testing, contact Revolv3 about production testing options

## General Sandbox Limitations

### Behavior Differences

Sandbox may behave differently from production in:

* **Tokenization**: Token behavior may differ
* **Account Updater**: Only supported by WorldPay in sandbox
* **Settlement timing**: May be faster or slower than production
* **Processor responses**: Some processors have different sandbox behaviors

### Rate Limits

* Sandbox has rate limits (similar to production)
* May be more restrictive than production
* Check with Revolv3 for specific sandbox rate limits

### Test Data

* Use only test card numbers and test ACH data
* Real card numbers will be declined in sandbox
* Test data is provided by each processor

## Best Practices

1. **Plan around maintenance**: Avoid critical testing during maintenance windows
2. **Don't rely on long-term data**: Export important test data before 30 days
3. **Respect transaction limits**: Don't exceed daily limits
4. **Test incrementally**: Build up test volume gradually
5. **Use production for load testing**: Sandbox isn't for high-volume testing

## Getting Latest Information

For the most current WorldPay sandbox limitations, refer to:

[WorldPay Sandbox Limits Documentation](http://support.worldpay.com/support/CNP-API/content/preliveenvlimits.htm)

WorldPay's documentation is the authoritative source for their specific limitations.

## Common Questions

**Q: Why is my sandbox data gone?**
A: Sandbox data is retained for a maximum of 30 days. Older data may be purged.

**Q: Can I increase sandbox transaction limits?**
A: Sandbox limits are set by the processors. Contact Revolv3 if you need higher limits for testing.

**Q: What if sandbox is down during maintenance?**
A: Wait until maintenance completes. Maintenance windows are scheduled and temporary.

**Q: Can I use sandbox for production-like load testing?**
A: No, sandbox has lower limits. Use production (carefully) or contact Revolv3 for load testing options.

## Next Steps

* **[Test Cards for Sandbox](/docs/testing-sandbox/test-cards-for-sandbox)** — Get test card numbers
* **[Production vs Sandbox](/docs/getting-started/production-vs-sandbox)** — Understand environment differences
* **[Production Limitations](/docs/getting-started/production-limitations)** — See production rate limits

***