---
schema_version: "1"
id: 995c63a23fe518513ebdb5dc7a63ed23eaf0f3ee2c527e577e20355409d64c6a
title: Catch Deployment Errors Early with Validate-Only Deployment
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/release-notes/264-0-0/rn_lifecycle_center_validate_only_deployment.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=release-notes.rn_lifecycle_center_validate_only_deployment.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: ce502f47a2eb9698ac2b66b15f1586ccdeae490e807e876edb693434c169d176
description: Run a validate-only deployment to find deployment errors, Apex test failures, and code coverage issues before you promote your changes to the target org. Validate-only deployment doesn't modify the target org or merge branches, so you can investigate and fix problems risk-free. When a validation succeeds and stays eligible, complete the promotion within 10 days without rerunning Apex tests.
products:
  - Cross Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Catch Deployment Errors Early with Validate-Only Deployment

Run a validate-only deployment to find deployment errors, Apex test failures, and code coverage issues before you promote your changes to the target org. Validate-only deployment doesn't modify the target org or merge branches, so you can investigate and fix problems risk-free. When a validation succeeds and stays eligible, complete the promotion within 10 days without rerunning Apex tests.

**Where:** This change applies to Lightning Experience in Professional, Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions. API access is required in Professional Edition. This change isn't available in Government Cloud Plus or EU Operating Zone.

**When:** This change is available on a rolling basis by the end of October, 2026.

**Who:** This change is available to users with the Lifecycle Center Deployment Manager permission.

**How:** From a pipeline stage, click **Promote Stage**. On the Promotion Options window, select the **Validate only** option and a nondefault Apex test option. If the validation succeeds, complete the promotion within 10 days without rerunning Apex tests.

#### See Also

- [_Salesforce Help_: Validate-Only Deployment in Lifecycle Center](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.devops_center_deployment_validate_only.htm&language=en_US)