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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)

professionals in Germany in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.

ISTQB CTFL holders bring a solid grasp of test design, defect reporting, test levels, and core quality concepts. They are useful in agile teams, release testing, and cross-functional delivery. Get fast, precise matching with vetted freelancers who hold this certification.

Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany

Verified expert

Aleksei R.

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QA Automation Engineer

Düsseldorf
Aleksei R.

Last position:

QA Engineer at Cybus GmbH

  • Led QA and test automation for a distributed industrial IoT and data-integration platform connecting shop-floor systems with enterprise applications.
  • Designed and maintained automated API and UI tests using Playwright, TypeScript, and Python, covering REST APIs, authentication, resource management, integrations, permissions, and end-to-end workflows.
  • Tested distributed services, data pipelines, messaging infrastructure, containerized applications, and integrations across Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, and Docker Compose environments.
  • Performed functional, integration, regression, endurance, resilience, load, chaos, and exploratory testing across complex distributed systems.
  • Used Chaos Mesh and Toxiproxy for network fault injection, latency, packet loss, and partition scenarios to validate system resilience and failure handling.
  • Automated infrastructure provisioning, configuration, and environment setup with Ansible and managed deployments using Kubernetes and Helm.
  • Tested integrations with industrial protocols, messaging systems, databases, HTTP/REST APIs, and external enterprise systems using simulators, emulators, and dedicated test environments.
  • Worked with MQTT, Kafka, SQL databases, InfluxDB, REST APIs, OAuth 2.0, JWT, LDAP, Active Directory, OpenLDAP, mTLS, TLS, MFA, SSO, and RBAC.
  • Investigated and resolved 40+ defects across backend services, integrations, distributed components, and web applications, using AI-assisted analysis with Claude to accelerate debugging, test design, and root-cause investigation.
  • Improved deployment reliability through Kubernetes/OpenShift configuration and health-check tuning and monitored distributed systems using Grafana, Prometheus, and Loki.
  • Collaborated with developers and product teams on sprint planning, technical refinement, quality strategy, release testing, and continuous improvement.
  • Applied AI-assisted and agentic testing approaches to expand automated coverage and identify complex edge cases.
Verified expert

Caleb C.

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Senior Python Backend Engineer

Berlin
Caleb C.

Last position:

Senior Python Backend Engineer at Simon-Kucher

Transmission system operator – network provisioning platform (team lead)

  • Designed the saga orchestrator in Python that provisions network fabrics with rollback.
  • Split IP, identity, and resource allocation into bounded contexts with their own databases and typed clients.
  • Implemented data access using DDD repositories and units of work, with no SQL in the domain code.
  • Required integration tests using real PostgreSQL and RabbitMQ containers, and API fuzzing for every service.
  • Introduced an agent workflow where a spec starts each change and a human approves every merge.
  • Rolled out OpenTelemetry auto-instrumentation through GitOps across eighteen Kubernetes clusters.
  • Led incident response for stuck provisioning and recorded every outage as a post-mortem.

Languages and software used: Python, FastAPI, Pydantic v2, SQLAlchemy async, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, Celery, pytest, testcontainers, schemathesis, Helm, Flux CD, GitLab CI, OpenTelemetry, pi coding agent.

Software product company – datacenter simulation SaaS (backend development)

  • Built the asynchronous simulation pipeline as the second-largest contributor among more than twenty team members.
  • Tagged every image by commit SHA and semver in the GitHub Actions deployment workflows.
  • Diagnosed the RabbitMQ memory alarm that froze every simulation and fixed the limits in the Helm chart.
  • Converted the test suite to function-style pytest, with coverage reported in every pipeline.

Languages and software used: Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Alembic, Celery, RabbitMQ, Redis, PostgreSQL, S3, EKS, Helm, Keycloak, GitHub Actions, pytest, mypy, ruff, SonarQube.

Internal AI platform – model serving and telemetry

  • Built the FastAPI service that deploys open-weight models on GPU tiers as OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
  • Upgraded production EKS by two Kubernetes minor versions and fixed zone-bound storage faults.
  • Traced every model call, including its token count, cost, and latency, through the OpenTelemetry operator.

Languages and software used: Python, FastAPI, vLLM, LangGraph, pydantic-ai, OpenAI and Anthropic APIs, EKS, Helm, Flux CD, Terraform, GitLab CI, OpenTelemetry, Grafana.

Verified expert

Muhammad A.

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Working Student QA and Automation

Muhammad A.

Last position:

Working Student QA and Automation at Ottonova

  • Designed and implemented automated end-to-end tests using Cypress for multiple insurance web applications and mobile app, improving regression coverage by ~70% and reducing manual testing effort.
  • Automated critical user journeys and API validations, ensuring stable releases across frequent deployments.
  • Integrated automated tests into GitLab CI/CD pipelines, enabling early feedback and faster release cycles.
  • Continuously improved existing test suites by refactoring flaky tests and applying best practices, increasing test reliability and execution stability.
  • Created and maintained test cases, test data, and test reports, improving transparency and traceability for stakeholders.
  • Collaborated closely with developers, product owners, and QA colleagues from planning to release, identifying issues early and preventing production defects.
Verified expert

Loic N.

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Sales & Technical Project Manager | Customer Success | OT/IT Integration | DevOps & Cloud

Werl
Loic N.

Last position:

Senior System Engineer at AG Solution

  • Create and lead roadmap forecasting of support opportunities, including colleague training, process design and improvement, and new hire onboarding.
  • Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams including Professional Services, Support, Product, Sales, and Solution Engineering.
  • Manage business and financial KPIs in alignment with overall business objectives.
  • Industrial IT & Data Integration: Implement, configure, and integrate OT/IT systems and data flows, connecting control-layer sources (DCS, PLC, SCADA) to historians, data platforms, and enterprise systems through APIs and standard interfaces.
  • AVEVA PI & Historian: Configure, maintain, and extend AVEVA PI (PI Data Archive, Asset Framework, interfaces/connectors) to capture, contextualize, and serve real-time and historical operational data.
  • Alarm Management: Support and optimize alarm management systems – e.g. Honeywell Alarm Management – including alarm rationalization, classification, and the analysis of alarm performance, critical alarms, and alarm floods.
  • Connectivity & Protocols: Set up and troubleshoot industrial connectivity using OPC UA and OPC A&E, including the configuration of tunnelers / wrappers to bridge OT data sources securely and reliably.
  • Production Data Flow: Ensure seamless, secure, and well-structured data flow across the industrial IT landscape, transforming raw operational data into meaningful information for operations and decision-making.
  • System Support & Troubleshooting: Provide ongoing support for OT/IT applications, troubleshooting issues across networks, software, and data integrations to keep systems running efficiently.
  • Knowledge Management & Best Practices: Contribute to internal documentation, best practices, and troubleshooting guides, and help continuously improve how we deliver industrial IT and data solutions.

Tools & Software: Aveva PI, Salesforce, Active Directory, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Jira, Microsoft, Scrum, DevOps, Docker, CI/CD, Jenkins, GitHub.

Verified expert

Elif A.

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Business Analyst Professional

Düsseldorf
Elif A.

Last position:

Business Analyst Professional at HES

  • Requirements Engineering
  • Process optimization and introduction of collaborative working models
  • Process modeling with BPMN
  • Analysis, specification, and documentation of logistics processes, IT systems, and data models
  • Development of conceptual solutions
  • Use case creation and documentation
  • Data analysis with SQL
  • Administration of Jira & Confluence
Verified expert

Anagha D.

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Project Manager

Sandhausen
Anagha D.

Last position:

Project Manager at Heidelberg Engineering

  • Streamlined project activities for R&D projects, ensuring seamless collaboration among cross-functional teams.
  • Proactively identified and mitigated potential project risks, maintaining smooth progress and adherence to timelines.
  • Effectively managed and optimized project resources to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
  • Maintained thorough and accurate project documentation to enhance clarity and transparency throughout project lifecycles.
  • Initiated projects with comprehensive kick-off meetings, aligning team members and setting clear objectives for successful project execution.
  • Facilitated issue board meetings to address and resolve project-related issues promptly, ensuring minimal disruptions.
  • Conducted regular stakeholder meetings to ensure alignment and collaboration, fostering a supportive project environment.
  • Delivered detailed progress reports to the leadership team, ensuring transparency and accountability in project outcomes.
Verified expert

Mariia D.

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QA Engineer

Oelde
Mariia D.

Last position:

Lead Quality Assurance Engineer at SoftServe

Enterprise Agile Planning Platform

Key achievements:

  • Introduced and promoted shift-left testing practices.
  • Established and maintained QA metrics to track release quality and support data-driven decision-making.
  • Reviewed Selenium-based automated tests, identifying coverage gaps and prioritizing improvements with the automation team.

Responsibilities:

  • Managed QA activities throughout the release lifecycle, coordinating testing efforts and ensuring release readiness.
  • Mentored and onboarded 10 QA engineers and fostered knowledge sharing.
  • Conducted technical interviews and participated in candidate evaluation.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to improve quality practices.
Verified expert

Falko M.

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Senior Product & Delivery Lead

Heusenstamm
Falko M.

Last position:

Requirements Manager at Private company - for Umweltbundesamt

  • Functional requirements management for DIVID, the Umweltbundesamt platform for administering the single-use plastics fund. Focus: entitled parties, sub-entitled parties, and benefit reports.
  • Consolidation and analysis of specifications, Jira, Confluence, functional concepts, and UX designs. Independent structuring and delimitation of requirements, as well as identification of contradictions, gaps, and dependencies.
  • Creation and quality assurance of implementable user stories with clear, testable acceptance criteria. Preparation of decision alternatives and coordination with business, development, UX, and QA through team refinement.
  • Conducting manual and technically assisted accessibility tests. Coordinating findings with QA and the Product Owner for further planning and implementation.
  • Result: more consistent requirements, clearly defined processes and stories, and transparent open decisions. Separation of assumptions from confirmed requirements; better basis for implementation, refinements, and QA test cases.

Tools used: Jira, Confluence

Verified expert

Amit S.

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Senior IT Project Manager | IT Transformation | Program & Delivery Management

Düsseldorf
Amit S.

Last position:

IT Project Manager – SAP S/4 HANA Delivery Consultant at CHG Meridian UK Limited

  • Managed the integrated SAP S/4HANA delivery plan for 12 BTS workstreams, including milestone, dependency, and governance management.
  • Coordinated end-to-end delivery across Business, IT, and Operations, focusing on execution, readiness, and issue resolution.
  • Responsible for RAID, test, cutover, and deployment management to ensure a successful go-live.
  • Implemented KPI tracking, status reporting, and PMO governance to provide transparent management of performance, risks, and escalations.
Verified expert

Christina L.

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Structure. Clarity. Success. Technical Project Management | Test Management | Health Coaching

Erding
Christina L.

Last position:

PMO Consultant at TMG Consultants GmbH

  • Preparation and follow-up of management meetings, including the structured preparation of decision-relevant content
  • Support for work package managers with coordination, follow-up of open topics, and structuring of work packages
  • Planning, structuring, and support of internal project meetings and workshops
  • Analysis, preparation, and documentation of short-term project, coordination, and decision-making topics
  • Audience-appropriate communication and support for stakeholder, coordination, and escalation management in the ramp-up environment
  • Contribution to greater project transparency, better control, and the operational relief of project management and work package managers
Verified expert

Alexander K.

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Senior QA Engineer | Quality Management | Test Automation | AI & LLM Testing

Kerpen
Alexander K.

Last position:

Software Tester at Buhl Tax Service GmbH

  • AI-assisted creation of test cases and test data
  • Creation of test cases based on requirements
  • Execution of manual tests
  • Defect documentation, retesting and tracking

Technologies & Tools: SCRUM, Jira, Confluence, Zephyr Scale

Verified expert

Humayun S.

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Senior Test Manager | QA Mobile & Digital Platforms

Essen
Humayun S.

Last position:

Senior Test Manager - Lead at Star Finanz GmbH

  • QA Lead for end-to-end quality assurance of the Sparkasse & Sparkasse Business banking apps (iOS/Android); design and implementation of the Test Strategy including functional testing, regression testing, and UAT for eID, Push Notifications, and white-label components
  • Creation and maintenance of test concepts and test plans in TestRail; structured Defect Management and error analysis; stakeholder management and risk management for the early identification of critical quality risks
  • Accessibility Testing according to WCAG 2.1 (iOS/Android); coordination of AI-supported test automation and optimization of test processes to shorten release cycles
  • Release Management: planning, management, and coordination of all test activities; status reporting to management and stakeholders; quality assessment of releases and release recommendations in an Agile/Scrum environment
  • Challenge: Highly complex build and release process across several Sparkasse institutions; close coordination with the DevOps team to stabilize the CI/CD pipeline and ensure reproducible test builds before every release.

Tools: Jira, Confluence, TestRail, Android Studio, Xcode, Firebase, Jenkins, GA4

  • Success: Successful launch of the eID authentication process - quality assurance ensured for 50+ Sparkasse institutions
Verified expert

Gregor A.

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Frontend Developer | Web Development | Software Quality

Flieden
Gregor A.

Last position:

Frontend Developer - Style Developer at Finanzinformatik GmbH & Co. KG

  • New development and further development of frontend interfaces for investors, using HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, React, Material UI, and JSTL
Verified expert

Alejandro P.

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DevOps Engineer

Ludwigshafen am Rhein
Alejandro P.

Last position:

DevOps Consultant at Freelance

  • Kubernetes: EKS management, cluster upgrades and stability improvements, Infrastructure-as-Code reviews and updates, AWS support, and cost optimization.

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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics

Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.

Experience

20 years

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have 20 years of professional experience on average.

Position duration

2 years

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany stay in a single position for 2 years on average.

Positions per freelancer

14

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have completed 14 positions on average over the course of their careers.

Top business areas

Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Product Development

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have gathered most of their hands-on project experience in Information Technology, Quality Assurance, and Product Development.

Top industries

Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Automotive

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany are most in demand in Information Technology, Banking and Finance, and Automotive.

Certification focus areas

Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Project Management

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany earn their certifications most often in Quality Assurance, Information Technology, and Project Management.

Bachelor's degree or higher

91%

91% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold at least a Bachelor's degree.

Master's degree or higher

54%

54% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold at least a Master's degree.

Doctorate

6%

6% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have a doctorate (PhD).

Certifications per freelancer

6

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold 6 professional certifications on average.

Most common languages

German, English, French

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany most often speak German, English, and French.

Speak two or more languages

96%

96% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany speak two or more languages.

Based on our profile pool as of 15 Nov 2026.

Daily rate distribution

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
1% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge less than €400 per day.
52% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €400 and €800 per day.
40% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €800 and €1200 per day.
5% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €1200 and €1600 per day.
1% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge €1600 or more per day.
<€400 €400-​800 €800-​1200 €1200-​1600 €1600+

The chart shows how the daily rates of experts holding this certification in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows the share of experts charging within that range.

Discover detailed ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) rate benchmarks:

Explore rate insights

Average rates for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

800
600
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200
Rate comparison chart
Daily rate avg. 758 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

800
600
400
200
Rate comparison chart
Median rate 760 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 15 Nov 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts industry focus

See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.

  • Information Technology (87%)
  • Banking and Finance (52%)
  • Automotive (47%)
  • Manufacturing (45%)
  • Professional Services (35%)
  • Telecommunication (35%)
  • Government and Administration (31%)
  • Healthcare (30%)

Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.

About the certification

What CTFL means

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the entry certification in the ISTQB testing track. It shows that a tester understands the language of software quality and can work with structured testing methods. For companies, it is a clear signal that a freelancer knows the basics of professional test work and can join delivery teams with a shared framework.

Core skills

  • Test principles and the purpose of testing
  • Test design techniques and how to choose test cases
  • Defect reporting and clear communication with developers
  • Test levels, test types, and the role of regression testing
  • Risk-based thinking and what makes a good test approach
  • Basic test management ideas, tools, and test documentation

Typical holders

CTFL is common among junior and mid-level testers, QA specialists, business analysts who support testing, and consultants moving into quality roles. In Germany, it is often seen on profiles for freelancers who work with product teams, delivery leads, or internal QA departments. The certification helps show that the freelancer understands more than ad hoc checking and can contribute in a structured way.

What it tells companies

A freelancer with the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level has a shared vocabulary for test planning, execution, and reporting. That matters when you need someone who can document issues clearly, follow agreed test processes, and collaborate with developers and product owners. It is especially useful in projects where test work must fit into sprint cycles, release trains, or formal acceptance work.

Where it fits

The CTFL is relevant in many settings, from web and mobile products to enterprise software, system integration, and regulated environments. It is not tied to one tool or one method. Instead, it gives a practical base for manual testing, exploratory work, and the first step into broader QA responsibilities. For German teams working across languages or with distributed delivery, it also helps because the concepts are internationally recognized.

Why it matters for hiring

If you need a tester who can start quickly, ask the right questions, and report issues in a disciplined way, CTFL is a useful filter. It does not replace project experience, domain knowledge, or tool skills. But it does tell you that the freelancer has passed through a recognized foundation in software testing and is ready for real project work, whether on site in Germany or remote.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything clients usually want to know about ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), in one place.

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) validates a solid grounding in software testing. It covers the ideas, methods, and language that testers use to plan, design, execute, and report tests. For hiring teams, that means a freelancer should be able to fit into a structured QA process without needing basic concepts explained first.

CTFL is the foundation level, so it focuses on core concepts rather than deep specialization. More advanced ISTQB paths go further into areas like test management, test analysis, or technical testing. If you need someone for hands-on delivery, CTFL shows the person has the base knowledge; if you need leadership or specialist depth, you may want a higher level as well.

CTFL is a good fit for software testers, QA engineers, business analysts who support testing, and consultants who work closely with delivery teams. It is also common for people who are building a testing career and want a recognized starting point. Companies often look for it when they need reliable manual testing and clear defect reporting.

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is designed as an entry certification, so it does not assume years of specialist experience. That said, people usually prepare better if they have seen real test work, even in a small project or internship. The exam itself checks understanding of concepts, not only memorized terms.

In Germany, CTFL is often useful when teams mix local staff, international colleagues, and freelance specialists. The certification gives a common testing vocabulary that helps in both remote collaboration and on-site work. It is especially helpful when German companies want a freelancer who can join structured QA processes quickly.

Preparation usually combines study of the official syllabus with practice questions and simple test scenarios. The focus is on understanding terminology, test design techniques, and the purpose of each test level and test type. Many candidates also review how defects are written and how test cases are structured in real projects.

CTFL is part of the ISTQB Foundation track, and holders should always check the current ISTQB rules for any updates. In practice, the main point is that the certificate is widely recognized as a baseline qualification for testing work. For hiring, the key question is less about renewal and more about whether the freelancer still uses the concepts in current projects.

The certification matters most in projects where testing needs structure, traceability, and clear communication. That includes software releases, regression cycles, system integration work, and acceptance testing in enterprise environments. It is useful wherever a team needs a freelancer who can test carefully and report problems in a way developers and product owners can act on.

The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany is 95 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 758 € based on an 8-hour working day.

Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany, 91% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 54% hold at least a Master's degree, and 6% hold a doctorate.

On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany have 20 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2 years.

The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are German (100%), English (96%), and French (27%).

The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are Information Technology (87%), Banking and Finance (52%), and Automotive (47%).

The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are Information Technology (95%), Quality Assurance (94%), and Product Development (77%).

FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) main locations

Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.

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