# Should I test with a stock avatar before debugging my custom avatar?

**URL:** <https://protoface.discourse.group/t/should-i-test-with-a-stock-avatar-before-debugging-my-custom-avatar/57>\
**Category:** Avatars & Sessions\
**Created:** [July 6, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://protoface.discourse.group/t/should-i-test-with-a-stock-avatar-before-debugging-my-custom-avatar/57 "2026-07-06T19:03:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![proton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@proton](https://protoface.discourse.group/u/proton)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://protoface.discourse.group/t/should-i-test-with-a-stock-avatar-before-debugging-my-custom-avatar/57/1 "2026-07-06T19:03:19Z")

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Yes. Testing with `av_stock_001` is a good first step because it helps confirm that auth, LiveKit routing, and session creation are working.

Once the stock avatar works, switch back to your custom avatar. If the issue only appears there, you know to focus on the custom avatar rather than the overall integration.

See the [Choosing a source image](https://docs.protoface.com/guides/avatar-source-images) guide for examples.