> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/data-pipeline/inputs/dummy.md).

# Dummy

{% hint style="info" %}
**Supported event types:** `logs`
{% endhint %}

The *Dummy* input plugin generates dummy events. Use this plugin for testing, debugging, benchmarking and getting started with Fluent Bit.

## Configuration parameters

The plugin supports the following configuration parameters:

| Key                 | Description                                                                                                                              | Default               |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| `copies`            | Number of messages to generate each time messages are generated.                                                                         | `1`                   |
| `dummy`             | Dummy JSON record.                                                                                                                       | `{"message":"dummy"}` |
| `fixed_timestamp`   | If enabled, use a fixed timestamp. This allows the message to be pre-generated once.                                                     | `false`               |
| `flush_on_startup`  | If set to `true`, the first dummy event is generated at startup.                                                                         | `false`               |
| `interval_nsec`     | Set time interval, in nanoseconds, at which every message is generated. If set, `rate` configuration is ignored.                         | `0`                   |
| `interval_sec`      | Set time interval, in seconds, at which every message is generated. If set, `rate` configuration is ignored.                             | `0`                   |
| `metadata`          | Dummy JSON metadata.                                                                                                                     | `{}`                  |
| `rate`              | Rate at which messages are generated, expressed in how many times per second.                                                            | `1`                   |
| `samples`           | Limit the number of events generated. For example, if `samples=3`, the plugin generates only three events and stops. `0` means no limit. | `0`                   |
| `start_time_nsec`   | Set a dummy base timestamp, in nanoseconds. If set to `-1`, the current time is used.                                                    | `-1`                  |
| `start_time_sec`    | Set a dummy base timestamp, in seconds. If set to `-1`, the current time is used.                                                        | `-1`                  |
| `test_hang_on_exit` | Test-only option that simulates a hang during shutdown for hot reload watchdog testing. Don't use this in production configurations.     | `false`               |
| `threaded`          | Indicates whether to run this input in its own [thread](/manual/administration/multithreading.md#inputs).                                | `false`               |

## Get started

You can run the plugin from the command line or through the configuration file:

### Command line

Run the plugin from the command line using the following command:

```shell
fluent-bit -i dummy -o stdout
```

which returns results like the following:

```
...
[0] dummy.0: [[1686451466.659962491, {}], {"message"=>"dummy"}]
[0] dummy.0: [[1686451467.659679509, {}], {"message"=>"dummy"}]
...
```

### Configuration file

In your main configuration file append the following:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="fluent-bit.yaml" %}

```yaml
pipeline:
  inputs:
    - name: dummy
      dummy: '{"message": "custom dummy"}'

  outputs:
    - name: stdout
      match: '*'
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="fluent-bit.conf" %}

```
[INPUT]
  Name   dummy
  Dummy  {"message": "custom dummy"}

[OUTPUT]
  Name   stdout
  Match  *
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


---

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