# 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).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.sealights.io/knowledgebase/whats-new/september-2025/test-optimization-at-the-environment-level.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.