# Validate Endpoints

> After selecting an endpoint, confirm method, path, connectivity, authentication, and contract alignment before relying on the definition in broader workflows.

Source: https://totalshiftleft.ai/help-center/product-documentation/validate-endpoints

## Overview

After you select an endpoint from the feature endpoint list, use **endpoint validation** to confirm that its definition matches the API you intend to exercise: correct method and path, reachable host, working authentication, and expected response shape where applicable.

## Open the endpoint context

1. Open a project and select a feature.
2. In the endpoint list, select an endpoint row.
3. Use the endpoint detail or validation options available for that endpoint in your deployment.

Validation focuses on the **endpoint contract and connectivity**, not on full test-suite design.

## What to validate

- **Method and path**: matches the OpenAPI operation and your environment base URL.
- **Connectivity**: the service responds at the configured URL.
- **Authentication**: headers or profiles allow authorized calls.
- **Response contract**: status codes and response structure align with the spec (where validation tooling exposes this).

## Validation workflow

1. Open the endpoint from [Endpoint management](/help-center/product-documentation/endpoint-management).
2. Choose the validation actions available for your deployment (for example, connection check or contract validation).
3. Apply the correct **environment** and **authentication** from [Project settings](/help-center/product-documentation/project-settings) or [Test configuration](/help-center/product-documentation/test-config).
4. Run validation and review results, including any errors or mismatches.
5. Update the endpoint definition, project settings, or spec import, then validate again.

## Common outcomes

- **401/403**: verify authentication profile and headers.
- **404**: verify base URL and endpoint path.
- **Schema or contract mismatch**: refresh the imported spec or correct the endpoint definition.
- **Timeout**: confirm environment availability and network path before changing timeouts.

## Related articles

- [Endpoint management](/help-center/product-documentation/endpoint-management)
- [Endpoint import and discovery](/help-center/product-documentation/endpoint-import-and-discovery)
- [Project settings](/help-center/product-documentation/project-settings)
- [Configuration fundamentals](/help-center/configuration/environment-variables)