***

title: Run API tests manually in Postman
approved: 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
slug: docs/tests-and-scripts/run-tests/run-tests-manually
max-toc-depth: 2
topictype: tutorial
-------------------

In Postman, you can run your [functional API tests](/docs/tests-and-scripts/test-apis/test-apis/) manually to run them on demand and get results right away. Use an API request to manually run tests for a specific endpoint. Use the Collection Runner to run a test suite for a collection or folder, and even change the run order of requests.

Manual API testing gives you the flexibility to adjust your test plans based on the changing needs of your project. You can also use manual testing to investigate complex issues and find root causes and possible solutions.

## Run a single test

In Postman, the basic unit of testing is an [API request](/docs/sending-requests/requests/). Each request tests a specific piece of functionality by calling an API endpoint. You can use scripts to add test logic to a request. For example, you can [write test scripts](/docs/tests-and-scripts/write-scripts/intro-to-scripts/) to check if the expected data is received when the request is sent.

To manually run a single test, do the following:

1. Click <img alt="Items icon" src="https://assets.postman.com/postman-docs/aether-icons/v12/icon-descriptive-items-stroke.svg#icon" width="20px" /> **Items** in the sidebar.
2. Click **Collections**, select a collection, then click a request with the test you want to run.
3. (Optional) To send the request with an [environment](/docs/sending-requests/variables/managing-environments/), select it using the environment selector at the top right of the workbench.
4. Click **Send**.
5. Click the **Test Results** tab in the request's response to view the results.

Learn more at [Send a request with the Postman API client](/docs/sending-requests/create-requests/request-basics/).

## Run a test suite

Use [Postman Collections](/docs/collections/collections-overview/) to organize individual API requests into a test suite. Then use the [Collection Runner](/docs/collections/running-collections/intro-to-collection-runs/) to run the tests in the order you choose. With a Postman paid plan, you can also [upload data files](/docs/collections/running-collections/working-with-data-files/) to run tests multiple times using different data each time.

To manually run a test suite, do the following:

1. Click <img alt="Items icon" src="https://assets.postman.com/postman-docs/aether-icons/v12/icon-descriptive-items-stroke.svg#icon" width="20px" /> **Items** in the sidebar.
2. Click **Collections**, select a collection, then click the collection or folder you want to run.
3. Click <img alt="Run icon" src="https://assets.postman.com/postman-docs/aether-icons/v12/icon-action-run-stroke.svg#icon" width="20px" /> **Run**.
4. On the **Functional** tab, select **Run manually**.
5. (Optional) To run the collection with an [environment](/docs/sending-requests/variables/managing-environments/), select it using the environment selector at the top right of the workbench.
6. Select your configuration options, such as the number of iterations you want to run.
7. Click **Start run**. Postman displays the test results in real time.

<Tip>
  To run the collection with [Agent Mode](/docs/agent-mode/overview/), click <img alt="Magic icon" src="https://assets.postman.com/postman-docs/aether-icons/v12/icon-descriptive-magic-stroke.svg#icon" width="20px" /> and then select a suggested task from the dropdown list. For example, select **Add tests based on the response** for Agent Mode to run the collection and then suggest tests based on the run results.
</Tip>

Learn more at [Test your API using the Collection Runner](/docs/collections/running-collections/intro-to-collection-runs/).