Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), in particular a test bench, for conditioning and purging an anode (2) of a preferably newly constructed cell stack (3), said device comprising: a hydrogen store (4) connected to an anode inlet (7) via a gas line (5) having an integrated shut-off valve (6), wherein a conditioning device (8), preferably a humidifying device, is integrated into the gas line (5) between the shut-off valve (6) and the anode inlet (7), an inert-gas store (9) connected to the gas line (5) via a purging line (10) which preferably has an integrated shut-off valve (11), wherein the purging line (10) joins the gas line (5) downstream of the conditioning device (8). The invention also relates to a method for conditioning and purging an anode (2) of a preferably newly constructed fuel cell stack (3).