How to preview and test Klaviyo flows with Skio

You can preview and test Klaviyo flows with Skio by sending test events, using the Preview & Test tool inside Klaviyo, and confirming that your dynamic variables (like next billing date or interval count) display correctly.

This guide walks you through testing Skio-triggered flows in Klaviyo, previewing dynamic variables using actual subscriber profiles, and avoiding common issues when testing quick actions.

Before you start

Make sure you've completed the following:

Enabled the Klaviyo integration in Skio
Backfilled Klaviyo profiles with Skio properties by clicking Backfill properties in your Skio Klaviyo settings (this ensures Klaviyo recognizes all available Skio-specific variables like next_charge_date and subscription_interval_count)
Added Skio events to Klaviyo by sending test events from the Skio integration panel

Step 1: Create and trigger a flow with Skio metrics

In Klaviyo, go to Flows and click Create Flow
Choose Build from Scratch, name your flow (e.g., "Upcoming order reminder"), then click Create Flow
Under Trigger, select Metric, then choose a Skio event (e.g., upcoming_order_notification)

If the Skio event isn't appearing, return to your Skio Dashboard and resend the test event from Account > Integrations > Klaviyo, then refresh Klaviyo.

Step 2: Preview event variables inside the flow

Add an Email block to your flow and configure the message
Click Preview & Test inside the email editor
Review the available event properties (like next_charge_date, total_price, or product_title) based on your trigger
Click to copy any variable and paste it into your email body (e.g., {{ event.next_charge_date }})

In Klaviyo’s email preview mode, you can select a specific customer to see the event data tied to that profile. Click any property to copy its variable to your clipboard and use it in your message for personalization.

If the profile doesn't have a Skio subscription, variables and quick actions may not populate correctly.

Step 3: Test Quick Action links

Learn more about testing Quick Action links here.

Step 4: Send yourself a test email

From the email editor, click Preview & Test
Select Send test and enter your email address
Check your inbox (and spam/promotions folders) for the test email

If you don't receive a test email, confirm that the profile has a valid email address and Skio event data. Test emails from Klaviyo may occasionally be delayed or filtered.

Making the email transactional

Transactional emails (like billing reminders or renewal notices) bypass the promotions tab and have higher deliverability.

In Klaviyo, locate the Transactional checkbox in your email block settings
Enable it for essential messages (e.g., "Your subscription renews tomorrow")

This ensures deliverability even if the customer has unsubscribed from marketing.

Use transactional emails only for messages critical to order fulfillment or billing—not for general marketing. Learn more about transactional emails in Klaviyo here.

Step 5: Review and turn on the flow

Click Review and Turn On to activate the flow
Monitor it via Analytics > Metrics in Klaviyo to confirm events are being received
Use Activity Feed > Activity Details for a detailed view of individual event payloads and Skio properties

FAQ

Why aren't Skio quick actions working in my test email?

Quick actions won't work unless the preview profile has an active Skio subscription and you have access to the appropriate profile. Learn more in our Quick Actions testing guide here.

Why am I getting the error “link improperly set up” when I test a Quick Action link?

You’ll see this error when a checkout link fails key validation checks before processing.

This usually happens when order doesn’t belong to the currently logged-in customer. Checkout links are customer-specific. If a logged-in customer tries to access a link that was generated for someone else, it will fail.

To resolve the error:

Confirm that the subscription is eligible for the specified action.
Verify that the logged-in customer matches the one assigned to the checkout link.

Why don't I see the Skio event in the trigger list?

You may not have added the event or sent a test yet. In your Skio Dashboard, go to Account > Integrations > Klaviyo, find the event, and click Send test. If the event hasn’t been added yet, add it first and then send a test to populate it in Klaviyo.

What's the difference between trigger and profile filters?

Trigger filters apply to the event that triggered the flow. Profile filters apply to customer attributes (like number of orders or location).