# Sandbox types, templates and refresh intervals

*Platform App Builder Study Guide · App Deployment · Last updated October 25, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder/app-deployment/sandbox-types-templates-and-refresh-intervals*

Which sandbox type fits each lifecycle stage (Developer, Developer Pro, Partial Copy, Full), how storage, data copied, templates and refresh intervals differ, what a refresh changes, and where scratch orgs and Lifecycle Center (formerly DevOps Center) fit.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform App Builder
- Exam section: App Deployment
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a set of business requirements, recommend a solution for managing the application lifecycle, including sandbox types.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a sandbox type for building, user acceptance testing, training, staging or load testing.
- State each type's storage, data copied, refresh interval, template support and editions.
- Predict which related objects a sandbox template adds.
- Predict what a refresh changes: org ID, email deliverability, access, licence used.
- Plan environments per lifecycle stage, including scratch orgs and Lifecycle Center (formerly DevOps Center).

Key terms: **sandbox** (an isolated copy of production); **sandbox template** (the objects whose records a Partial Copy or Full sandbox copies); **refresh interval** (minimum wait between refreshes); **Sandbox Access** (the public group allowed to log in); **Lifecycle Center** (source-control-backed release tool).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh intervals | Developer 1 day, Developer Pro 1 day, Partial Copy 5 days, Full 29 days, counted from the request | [Refresh](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_refresh.htm&type=5) |
| Data storage | Developer 200 MB (400 MB upgraded), Developer Pro 1 GB (2 GB), Partial Copy 5 GB, Full same as production | [Storage Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_environments.htm&type=5) |
| Load testing and staging | Only Full sandboxes support performance testing, load testing and staging | [Sandbox Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.create_test_instance.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Templates | Required for Partial Copy, optional for Full, not available for Developer or Developer Pro | [Storage Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_environments.htm&type=5) |
| Licences | Hierarchical: a higher licence can create any lower sandbox type | [Sandbox Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.create_test_instance.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Editions | Developer Pro can be bought for any edition; Partial Copy and Full only for Enterprise, Unlimited and Performance | [Storage Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_environments.htm&type=5) |
| Org ID | Changes on every refresh | [Refresh](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_refresh.htm&type=5) |
| Email | New and refreshed sandboxes default to System email only | [Setup Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_implementation_tips.htm&type=5) |
| Sandbox Access | Public group required for Developer and Developer Pro; All Active Users offered only for Partial Copy and Full | [Refresh](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_refresh.htm&type=5) |
| Unactivated sandboxes | Deleted if not activated within 30 days | [Refresh](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_refresh.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why can't a Developer sandbox use a sandbox template?
- When can a Partial Copy sandbox refreshed on the 3rd be refreshed again?
- Why does a team keep its Full sandbox for staging rather than daily building?
- When does Salesforce delete a new sandbox that nobody has activated?
- What does Lifecycle Center use as the single source of truth for changes?

## Sources

- [Sandbox Types and Templates](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.create_test_instance.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Sandbox Licenses and Storage Limits by Type](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_environments.htm&type=5)
- [Refresh Your Sandbox](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_refresh.htm&type=5)
- [Create or Edit Sandbox Templates](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_templates.htm&type=5)
- [Sandbox Setup Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_sandbox_implementation_tips.htm&type=5)
- [Salesforce Sandbox Types and Management Best Practices](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000387743&language=en_US&type=1)
- [When to Use a Sandbox](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.deploy_sandboxes_intro.htm)
- [Govern, Manage, and Release Changes with Lifecycle Center](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.devops_center_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Plan for Changes to Your Org (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/org-development-model/plan-for-changes-to-your-org2)
- [Develop and Test Features Using Salesforce Sandboxes (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/salesforce-sandboxes-quick-look/develop-and-test-features-using-salesforce-sandboxes)
- [Scratch Orgs](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/sfdx-dev/guide/sfdx-dev-scratch-orgs.html)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 11 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform App Builder pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams