# Verify RudderStack Installation

Before using RudderStack, it is highly recommended to verify that your installation works as expected by sending some test events. You can use any of the following approaches:

- [Use the bundled shell script](#bundled-shell-script)
- [Use RudderStack's HTTP API](#rudderstack-http-api)

{{< info >}}
This guide assumes that you have already installed and set up RudderStack in your preferred environment.
{{< /info >}}

## Bundled shell script

The [`rudder-server` GitHub repository](https://github.com/rudderlabs/rudder-server) contains a bundled shell script that generates test events. Clone the repository by running the following command:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/rudderlabs/rudder-server.git
```

Then, follow the steps below to send test events.

### Step 1: Get source write key

#### RudderStack Open Source dashboard

If you have signed up for [RudderStack open source](https://app.rudderstack.com/signup?type=opensource), follow these steps:

1. Log in to your RudderStack Open Source dashboard.
2. Set up a source and connect it to a destination.
3. You can find the write key in the **Setup** tab of your source.

{{< image src="images/rudderstack-open-source/write-key.webp" alt="RudderStack source write key" >}}

#### Self-hosted control plane

If you are self-hosting the control plane using [Control Plane Lite]({{< ref "get-started/rudderstack-open-source/control-plane-lite.md" >}}), follow these steps:

1. Set up a source and connect it to a destination.
2. Note the write key for the source:

{{< image src="images/rudderstack-open-source/control-plane-lite-source-writekey.webp" alt="Control plane lite source write Key" >}}

### Step 2: Send test events

To send test events, follow the steps in the sections below depending on your preferred setup:

#### Local setup

1. Navigate to the folder where RudderStack is installed.
2. Run the following command:

```bash
./scripts/generate-event <WRITE_KEY> <DATA_PLANE_URL>/v1/batch
```
{{< info >}}
Replace `<WRITE_KEY>` and `<DATA_PLANE_URL>` with your source write key and [data plane URL]({{< ref "dashboard-guides/_index.md#connections" >}}).
{{< /info >}}

3. Go to your source in the RudderStack Open Source dashboard and check the **Live Events** tab to verify if the events are delivered.

{{< image src="images/rudderstack-open-source/source-live-events.webp" alt="Source live events" >}}

An example is shown below:

{{< image src="images/rudderstack-open-source/test-event.webp" alt="Test Event" >}}

#### Docker setup

1. Run the following command:
  
```bash
docker exec -ti \
    <rudder-server-running-container-id> \
    ./scripts/generate-event <WRITE_KEY> <DATA_PLANE_URL>/v1/batch
```

{{< info >}}
Replace `<WRITE_KEY>` and `<DATA_PLANE_URL>` with your source write key and [data plane URL]({{< ref "dashboard-guides/_index.md#connections" >}}).
{{< /info >}}

2. Go to your source in the RudderStack Open Source dashboard and check the **Live Events** tab to verify if the events are delivered.

{{< warning >}}
Unlike RudderStack Open Source, the control plane set up using [Control Plane Lite]({{< ref "get-started/rudderstack-open-source/control-plane-lite.md" >}}) does not support the **Live Events** feature.
{{< /warning >}}

If you supply an invalid source write key or data plane URL, you will get the following error:

{{< image src="images/rudderstack-open-source/test-event-error.webp" alt="Test Event error" >}}

## RudderStack HTTP API

To send test events using the [RudderStack HTTP API]({{< ref "api/http-api" >}}), follow these steps:

1. Import this [Postman collection](https://www.getpostman.com/collections/480307c55ad2b9dd4e27). 
2. Edit the variables `source_write_key` and `data_plane_url` in this collection with your source write key and [data plane URL]({{< ref "dashboard-guides/_index.md#connections" >}}).

RudderStack uses **Basic Authentication** for authenticating all HTTP requests. The HTTP Basic Authentication requires a user name and password, where:
  - Username is the `source_write_key`.
  - Password is an empty string (`""`).

3. Send the test API requests.
4. Go to your source in the RudderStack Open Source dashboard and check the **Live Events** tab to verify if the events are delivered.