OSM Sandbox - ready for testing

[petya-kangalova]

We are now ready with the OSM Sandbox setup on TM staging and would appreciate your help testing it.

What is OSM Sandbox?

OSM Sandbox lets you practice or capture mapping data without uploading anything to OpenStreetMap.
It’s a safe environment to test workflows, train contributors, or try things out without affecting live OSM data.

What’s available to test?

For General users: The OSM Sandbox is now available as a filter in the “Explore Projects” section (accessible to everyone).
For Project Managers: During project creation, Project Managers can now choose between OSM and Sandbox as the data source (if you are a project manager and don't have access to staging, adda comment).

How to share feedback:
Please respond to this thread with any feedback on testing, including any screenshots if you encounter any issues. If everything is working well, do let us know too!

Deadline: Please share any feedback by EOD Thursday 12 February!

Thank you very much in advance!

[Patrik-Br]

Hello new world, I am really looking forward the Sandbox! It can have so many useful use cases in long run!

• So far I noticed one bug, when you clone already existing project that was before created on regular OSM server, even when you choose Sandbox at creating the new one it will be created on OSM server.
• Do you plan for future to be able log in with OSM account into the Sandbox version or people need to create new account? I can see benefits but also downside to it.
• • Actually since on HOT TM you are logged in with your OSM account, then you upload on the sandbox server it looks like I already got an account after I did my first upload?
• JOSM users will have to manually change the "OSM Server URL" in their JOSM settings. What's the URL? I guess it won't be possible to implement into TM to automatically switch for them. Just putting it here as something that future project creators should take in mind and put in project instructions. Or if we could highlight it somehow somewhere in TM.

• Would it be possible to have Sandbox OSM layer? Just like the regular one

[ramyaragupathy]

Summarising feedback from the session today with the community:

Wording

Current language like “Database” or “Upload map data” feels too technical for many users. Recommend clearer, beginner-friendly copy:

Prompt:
Where do you want your mapping changes to go?

Options:

1. Live OpenStreetMap (real map)
   Edits will appear publicly on OpenStreetMap.
2. Sandbox (Practice Mode)
   Safe for training, changes will not affect the real map.

Visual differentiation between Sandbox and Live projects

Sandbox projects should not appear urgent or high-priority.

Suggested cues:

• Remove urgency/priority indicators for Sandbox
• Avoid bright colors (no red); keep header accents subtle
• Use distinct badges/colors for Sandbox vs OSM
• Include “(Sandbox)” directly in project titles (TeachOSM pattern)
• Replace priority labels with an explicit Sandbox indicator

Sandbox visibility during contribution

Users should always know when they are practicing:

• Persistent banner or badge: You are editing in Sandbox (Practice Mode)
• Sandbox cue should appear throughout the task workflow, not only in filters

Filter labeling + placement

“Database” is likely not the right term.

Better alternatives:

• Map mode
• Project type
• Live vs Practice

Also consider whether the filter should be visible on the Explore page (important for onboarding learners), for all users. If hidden, validators may have difficulty finding Sandbox work later.

Consider including a toggle filter under Manage Project section.

Learning + feedback workflow

Sandbox is most useful when learners receive immediate feedback:

• Add instructions for iD users to check the Issues panel
• Add guidance for JOSM users to run Validation
• Consider supporting validation of Sandbox edits for learner feedback

Changeset comments

Sandbox edits should have a specific default changeset comment, e.g.:

sandbox-hottm-project-x

Broader integration

Need to consider how Sandbox projects are surfaced in the Learn tab and training flows, not only in project management.

cc @prabinoid @suzit-10

[ramyaragupathy]

@Patrik-Br - thanks so much for sharing feedback, some of these:

• disabling JOSM for sandbox projects
• allowing project types for project clones

have been addressed and pushed to staging.

There is no separate login required for sandbox, it automatically creates a login based on your TM user account. No explicit signup required.

[ramyaragupathy]

Fixed:

• for cloned projects, if the project type is set to sandbox make sure the edits goes to sandbox fix: Project clone to support database selection #7149
• controlling the editor options for sandbox projects - only iD ediotr, we don't support JOSM and Rapid editor - backend fix implemented

Pending issues in progress:

• controlling the editor options for sandbox projects - only iD editor, we don't support JOSM and Rapid editor; frontend work in progress Controlling the editor options for sandbox projects #7154
• wording changes for database selection during project creation Wording changes for database selection during project creation #7155
• by default set low priority for sandbox projects in the backend Set low priority for sandbox projects in the backend #7156
• remove priority indicator for sandbox projects in the frontend Remove priority indicator for sandbox projects in the frontend #7157
• sandbox cue during task workflow Sandbox cue during task workflow #7158
• filter wording: project mode Explore proejcts: update filter for sandbox projects #7159
• enable sandbox filtering in manage project section Enable sandbox filtering in manage project section #7160
• changeset comments to indicate sandbox edits Changeset comments to indicate sandbox edits #7161

Under consideration:

• include sandbox in project title
• learning & feedback workflow
• updating learn section with sandbox details
• include sandbox layer within iD editor background list

[ramyaragupathy]

We have released the first version to production: https://github.com/hotosm/tasking-manager/releases/tag/v5.5

Please let us know your thoughts and feedback here, thanks!

[SColchester]

Is there any way of seeing if a project is a sandbox project apart from mapping stage? This project is a sandbox project, but if you visit the project page there is no indication that it is. There should definitely be a very present icon or indicator on both the main project page but also the contribute page: https://tasks.hotosm.org/projects/43768/

[SColchester]

When I select 'contribute' and 'map a task' I get this error in the section where the iD editor usually appears:

[SColchester]

If under Profile > Settings the default editor is set to JOSM, when pressing 'Contribute' on a Sandbox project it throws this error. Only allows you to proceed if default editor is set to iD:

[ramyaragupathy]

@SColchester - very good catch, we were wondering why this was not a consistent issue to reproduce.

[ramyaragupathy]

When I select 'contribute' and 'map a task' I get this error in the section where the iD editor usually appears:

@SColchester - is this a specific project? and do you consistently get the same error while locking a task? cc @prabinoid @suzit-10

[SColchester]

Yep this project: https://tasks.hotosm.org/projects/43768/

[SColchester]

Any yep confirming that I get that error consistently

[ramyaragupathy]

Sam - I am unable to reproduce this Sandbox connection error. Can you please attempt a fresh login?

Contributions page crash issue addressed through the hotfix here: https://github.com/hotosm/tasking-manager/releases/tag/v5.5-hotfix