# Test Optimization at the Environment Level

We are excited to announce a major enhancement to Test Optimization that significantly simplifies how you manage test stages in complex, dynamic environments. You can now leverage **Unbounded Test Stages**, moving test recommendations from a rigid application focus to a flexible, environment-level model.

### What is an Unbounded Test Stage?

An **Unbounded Test Stage** is a new concept for test execution that is configured directly to a **lab or testing environment** rather than being tied to a specific application or build within it.

In the past, every test stage had to be explicitly onboarded and linked to a single application. With the Unbounded Test Stage:

* It runs tests against **all applications** deployed on that lab at the moment of test execution.
* **The Benefit:** This dramatically simplifies the onboarding process, eliminating the tedious need to manually attach a test stage to every single application in your multi-component environment.

### Test Optimization Powered by the Lab

With Unbounded Test Stages, Test Optimization shifts its focus from providing recommendations based on a single application build to calculating them at the **Lab/Environment level**.

This means that every time a test stage execution starts and requests recommendations, Test Optimization creates a precise list of tests based on the *entire state* of the environment at that moment, ensuring you only run the tests necessary for the deployed combination of applications.

This new capability delivers faster onboarding and more reliable, environment-aware Test Optimization, empowering you to maximize efficiency in your most complex testing labs.

If you want to learn more, read the [Test Optimization Model: Bounded vs. Unbounded](https://docs.sealights.io/knowledgebase/test-optimization/test-optimization-mechanism/test-optimization-models-bounded-vs.-unbounded).