# Preview versus a real render
Compare preview and render requirements, quota usage, and output storage.
You can inspect a document inside the editor or generate a PDF to download and use. **Preview** supports design work; **rendering** creates a job with a status, history, and output file. Choose based on the task you need to complete.
## 1. Preview while editing
Use **Layout** and **PDF** in the editor to inspect structure and pagination. Draft versions can be previewed without publication.
Preview does not consume successful-render quota or create a retained PDF entry in Renders. Resource and processing-time limits still apply.
Editor
PDF
LayoutPDF
TembuilderDocument1 / 1
Editor → Layout / PDF for design previews
**Layout** reflects your current edits. **PDF** renders saved template content, so save the design and regenerate PDF preview after changes. Preview parameters come from the editor’s values, initially Defaults; values entered in Run apply only to Run jobs. A previous PDF preview does not refresh automatically.
## 2. Render when you need an output file
Use **Run** or the render API to generate a PDF. The version must be published, and the key needs `template:render` permission in the same project.
A successful job counts toward quota, appears in Renders, and has downloadable output during its retention period. Run inside the editor creates this same type of job.
RUN
Version 2Published
Parameters{ recipient: "Tembuilder" }
Published version + data → Render → PDF
## 3. Choose the right route for each step
| Task | Use |
| --- | --- |
| Edit typography, margins, content, or breaks | Editor preview. |
| Test data against a published version | Run. |
| Generate PDFs from your software | Render API. |
| Find a job’s output or error | Renders. |
To try a job without building an integration, start with [Run](/docs/renders/playground/).
Preview
Draft✓
Renders—
Run
Published✓
Renders✓
Preview supports editing · Run creates a recorded PDF job
## 4. When preview works but Run does not
Compare the version open in the editor with the one selected in Run: the selections can differ. Then check publication status, the selected key, and input values.
If a job was accepted, open its result in Renders for the specific error. Acceptance does not mean the PDF is finished; download it once status is `success` and output is available.