> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.formstatus.co/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# User Guide: Uploading a Manual Recording

### Table of Contents
* [Introduction](#3-color800000introduction)
* [Uploading a Recording](#3-color800000uploading-a-recording)
* [Email Testing](#3-color800000email-testing-optional)
* [Running the Test](#3-color800000running-the-test)
* [Viewing Results](#3-color800000viewing-results)
* [Understanding Test Statuses](#3-color800000understanding-test-statuses)
* [Troubleshooting Failed Tests](#3-color800000troubleshooting-failed-tests)
* [Tips & Best Practices](#3-color800000tips-best-practices)
---

### ${color}[#800000](Introduction)
This guide explains how to upload a manually recorded JSON file to FormStatus and run a form monitoring test.

Manual recordings are typically created using the FormStatus Chrome Extension and can be used to verify:
* Page loading
* Form submissions
* Email delivery (optional)
* SSL certificate validity
---

### ${color}[#800000](Uploading a Recording)

###### Step 1: Open the Upload Screen
1. Sign in to your FormStatus dashboard.
2. Click “**+ New Form**”.
3. Click the blue **Upload Manual Recording** link.
4. The **Upload Manual Recording** window will open.

###### Step 2: Upload Your JSON File
You will see a drag-and-drop upload area with a cloud icon.

**Option A: Browse for a File**
1. Click anywhere inside the upload area.
2. Select your recording .json file.

**Option B: Drag and Drop**
1. Locate the recording file on your computer.
2. Drag it into the upload area.
3. Release the file to upload.

###### Upload Confirmation
After a successful upload, you will see:
* The selected file name
* An **Enable Email Testing** option
At this point, your recording is ready to be tested.
---

### ${color}[#800000](Email Testing (Optional))
Email testing verifies that your form successfully sends notification emails after submission.

###### Requirements
To use this feature, the **FormStatus WordPress Plugin** must be installed and activated on your website.

###### Enable Email Testing
1. Turn on the **Enable Email Testing** toggle.
2. FormStatus will automatically check whether the plugin is installed.

###### Plugin Detected
If the plugin is found, you will see a green confirmation message:
**FormStatus plugin detected – Email testing enabled**
No further action is required.

###### Plugin Not Detected
If the plugin cannot be found, you will see a warning message:
**FormStatus plugin not detected**

To enable email testing:
1. Install the FormStatus WordPress Plugin.
2. Activate the plugin.
3. Return to the upload screen.
4. Try enabling email testing again.

###### Skip Email Testing
If email validation is not required:
* Leave the toggle disabled.

The test will still verify:
* Page loading
* Form submission
* SSL validity
---

### ${color}[#800000](Running the Test)
Once your recording has been uploaded:
1. Click **Run Test**.

The button will change to:
**Running...**

###### Test Started
After the test begins:
1. A confirmation message appears:*Manual recording test started!*
2. You are automatically redirected to the test results page.
---

### ${color}[#800000](Viewing Results)
The Check Details page displays the outcome of the test.
You can monitor progress in real time and review completed results.

###### What Gets Checked
Depending on your configuration, FormStatus performs the following checks.

**Page Load**
Verifies that the form page loads successfully.

**Form Submission**
Confirms that the form can be submitted without errors.

**Email Receive**
Checks whether the expected email notification is received.
This check only appears when Email Testing is enabled.

**SSL Check**
Validates that the website's SSL certificate is active and functioning correctly.

###### Screen Recording
Each test includes a screen recording of the automated replay process.

You can watch the recording to:
* Verify user actions
* Review test execution
* Identify failures or unexpected behavior
---

### ${color}[#800000](Understanding Test Statuses)
The following status indicators may appear during or after a test.
| Status | Meaning |
| ---- |
| Passed | The check completed successfully |
| Pending | The check is still running |
| Failed | The check encountered an error |
| Warning | The check completed with minor issues |
| Disabled | The check was not performed |

### ${color}[#800000](Status Descriptions)
**Passed**
The check completed successfully and no issues were detected.

**Pending**
The check is currently in progress.
Refresh the page or check back shortly for updates.

**Failed**
An error prevented the check from completing successfully.
Review the error details provided on the page.

**Warning**
The check completed but detected a potential issue that may require attention.

**Disabled**
The check was intentionally skipped or not applicable for this test.
---

### ${color}[#800000](Troubleshooting Failed Tests)
If a test fails:
1. Review the error message displayed on the Check Details page.
2. Watch the screen recording to identify where the failure occurred.
3. Verify that the form is functioning correctly on the live website.
4. Upload a new recording and run the test again if necessary.

###### View Test History
To review previous executions:
1. Click **Back to Logs**.
2. Browse the list of historical test runs.
3. Open any test to view detailed results and recordings.
---

### ${color}[#800000](Tips & Best Practices)
**Every Upload Creates a New Test**
Each uploaded recording generates a separate test run.

**Historical Results Are Saved**
All test executions remain available from the Logs page for future reference.

**Recording Retention Period**
Screen recordings are automatically retained based on the test result:
| Test Result | Retention Period |
| ---- |
| Successful Tests | 30 Days |
| Failed Tests | 90 Days |