---
title: "Test the application"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/tutorials/payslip-generator-app/nodejs/test-app/
description: "Build a basic web app that uses Catalyst components to generate a PDF document from a dynamic custom payslip template, and email the generated document to the end-user."
last_updated: 2026-08-17T12:16:04Z
service: All Services
type: tutorial
related_links:
  - name: "Serve CLI Resources"
    url: /en/cli/v1/serve-resources/introduction/
---

# Test the Application

Before you deploy the application to the remote console, you can test the application on a local server and check if everything works using the Catalyst CLI. For detailed information on `catalyst serve`, refer to the [Serve Resources help page](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/serve-resources/introduction).

To serve the Catalyst project locally, execute the following command from your project directory:

```sh
catalyst serve
```

The payslip generator application will now be served at default `port 3000`. The local endpoint URLs of the components will be displayed in the CLI.
![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve.webp)

> **Note:** Every time you access the home page or any of the sub-pages of your client, or the function, the CLI will display a live log of the URL accessed, along with the HTTP method that is used to access it.

You can now open the client component’s local URL in a browser to access the application.

![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_1](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_1.webp)

Add sample data in the form to test the functionality of the application, and click **Submit**.

![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_2](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_2.webp)

You will get a success prompt after the email is sent. 

![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_3](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_3.webp)

Log in to the email account you had entered here, and you will find an email that contains the payslip as a PDF attachment.

![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_4](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_4.webp)

If you view the attachment, you will find the details you inputted in the form rendered in your custom template.

![catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_5](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_catalyst_serve_5.webp)

Depending on the email provider you use, you will also be able to download and save the `payslip.pdf` document in your local system.

If the test run was successful, we can deploy the project to the console.