If you just want to test basic functionality which does not require specific AoC functions you could simply grab a free AO account and test the commands on a bot there.

I think most differences between AO and AoC outside the core protocols are just in the supported layout commands and buddy handling. And the core protocols shouldn't be touched by a module anyways.

The advantage of AO: there is are pure chat-only clients available and logging on to the chatserver is not really limited by any timeouts and wait periods.
Of course to create your chat chars you'll still need to download the basic client.