> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zephyrintel.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zephyrintel.com/administration-zephyr-staff/simulate-a-user/start-and-stop-a-simulation.md).

# Start and stop a simulation

Start browsing Signal as a specific user, and stop when you are done.

Who can do this: Zephyr staff only.

### Before you begin

Find the user you want to simulate. See [Find a user and read their record](/administration-zephyr-staff/user-management-tab/find-a-user-and-read-their-record.md). The user must have an organization id; Signal will not simulate a user without one.

> **Screenshot placeholder:** Signal while simulating a user, showing the amber **Simulating user** banner with the **Stop simulation** button.

### Steps to start

1. With the user selected in **User Management**, click **Simulate user**. This button is disabled if you select your own account.
2. Signal takes you to your dashboard, now scoped to that user's organization.

### Steps to stop

1. Look for the amber banner at the top of the screen, which reads **Simulating user:** followed by the name, email, or id of the user you're simulating.
2. Click **Stop simulation** in the banner, or in **User Management** if you navigated back there.

### What you see

While simulating, the banner also shows the organization id you are scoped to, for example `org: org_abc123`. If the simulated user has no organization id, the banner warns instead that simulation cannot scope data for that user.

### Notes

* A simulation persists if you reload the page, but not if you close the browser tab or sign out.
* While simulating, **Org Admin** and **User Management** are unreachable; any attempt to open them sends you back to your dashboard. Use **Stop simulation** first.