Sends step 1 through your real SMTP with the same footer and HTML (including open pixel) as production. The message is addressed to your inbox so you can see it as the prospect would, while the lead row keeps the real recipient for later sends. If the lead is still pending generation, a full sequence is created first (same rules as batch / test generate). Nothing is marked sent in the database.

Pick pending_generation to generate now, or ready / in_sequence to reuse existing copy.
Your inbox — not the lead’s address.