Shadow Mode
Shadow Mode lets you run ConsentForge in parallel with your existing CMP without showing a second banner to your visitors. Use it to test your ConsentForge setup before cutting over.
What shadow mode does
In shadow mode, ConsentForge:
- Loads on the page (silently, no banner shown)
- Runs the scanner to detect all scripts and cookies
- Populates your vendor list with findings
- Validates your banner configuration
- Does not block any scripts
- Does not collect consent
Your existing CMP continues to control consent normally.
Enabling shadow mode
Add data-shadow-mode="true" to your embed script:
<script
src="https://cdn.consentforge.com/consentforge.min.js"
data-token="YOUR_CF_TOKEN"
data-shadow-mode="true"
defer
></script>
Leave your existing CMP script on the page as-is.
What to check during shadow mode
Over 1–2 weeks of shadow mode, verify:
- Scanner findings — Dashboard → Scanner → Findings should show all third-party scripts on your site
- Vendor mapping — All findings should be mapped to a vendor in your policy
- Banner preview — Use the Banner Builder preview to confirm your banner looks right
- Translations — Check both DE and EN banner texts are correct
- GTM setup — Verify the ConsentForge GTM tag is ready to go
Going live
When you're confident everything is set up correctly:
- Remove
data-shadow-mode="true"from the ConsentForge script - Remove your existing CMP script
- Publish
The first time a visitor lands after the switch, they'll be shown the ConsentForge banner (since no ConsentForge consent has been recorded yet).
How long to run shadow mode
| Site type | Recommended duration |
|---|---|
| Low-traffic (under 1k visits/day) | 3–5 days |
| Medium-traffic | 1 week |
| High-traffic or complex setup | 2 weeks |
| Enterprise / agency | 2–4 weeks with staged rollout |
Can I skip shadow mode?
Yes. If your site is simple (few third-party scripts, standard vendor list) you can configure ConsentForge and switch directly without a shadow mode period. Most Shopify and WordPress installs can go direct.