Cypress is a powerful tool designed to help you test websites by simulating user interactions. It automates tasks like clicking buttons, filling out forms, and checking if everything functions as expected. Cypress is known for its speed, ease of use, and reliability, making it a popular choice for front-end testing.

How Cypress Helps in Automation

Cypress offers several features that make automation testing easier:

Instant Feedback: Cypress provides real-time feedback, showing test results as you write them. This allows you to spot and fix issues quickly.
Reliable Tests: Cypress automatically waits for elements to be available before interacting with them, reducing the likelihood of flaky tests.
Easy Debugging: Cypress records test execution, enabling you to rewind and view what happened during a failed test.
Network Control: Cypress allows you to manipulate network requests, enabling you to simulate different scenarios like slow networks or server errors.
Cross-Browser Testing: You can run tests in multiple browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) to ensure compatibility across platforms.

Cypress vs. Other Automation Tools

Cypress stands out from other tools like Selenium and Playwright in several ways:

Speed and Simplicity: Cypress runs directly in the browser, making it faster and easier to set up compared to Selenium, which uses a separate WebDriver.
Automatic Waiting: Cypress automatically waits for elements to appear or animations to complete, reducing the need for manual waits that are common in Selenium.
Time Travel Debugging: Cypress’s built-in time travel feature allows you to view exactly what happened during your tests, whereas Selenium requires additional logging or tools for this.
All-in-One Tool: Cypress offers an all-in-one testing framework, assertion library, and mocking features, whereas Selenium often requires multiple tools and configurations.

Overall, Cypress is a more modern and user-friendly alternative to traditional tools like Selenium, especially for front-end developers.

Installing Cypress

Follow these steps to get Cypress up and running:

Install Node.js: Download and install Node.js from the official website.
Initialize Your Project: Open your terminal, navigate to your project folder, and run npm init -y to create a new project.
Install Cypress: Run npm install cypress –save-dev to add Cypress as a development dependency.
Open Cypress: Use the command npx cypress open to launch the Cypress Test Runner.
Write Tests: Cypress will create a folder for your tests. You can start writing tests in the cypress/e2e directory.

In the realm of quality assurance, automation plays a crucial role in ensuring that your application behaves as expected. For our QA Brains project, we’ll be using Cypress to automate login tests. This blog post will guide you through setting up Cypress, writing various login test cases, and running them effectively.

Automated testing is a cornerstone of modern software development, enabling teams to quickly verify that their applications work as intended. In this blog, we’ll focus on using Cypress to automate the login functionality of the QA Brains application. We’ll walk through setting up Cypress, writing a variety of login test cases, and running these tests to ensure your login functionality is robust.

Project Setup

Creating a New Project:

First, create a new directory for your project:

bash:

mkdir qa-brains-project
cd qa-brains-project

Initialize a new Node.js project:

bash:

npm init -y

Installing Cypress:

Install Cypress as a development dependency:

bash:

npm install cypress --save-dev

Setting Up Cypress

Opening Cypress for the First Time:

Run the following command to open Cypress for the first time. This will initialize Cypress and create the necessary folder structure:

bash:

npx cypress open

Creating Test Files

Inside the cypress/e2e/ directory, create a new file named qa-brains.spec.js:
bash:

touch cypress/e2e/qa-brains.spec.js

Adding Custom Commands:

In the cypress/support/ directory, create or modify the commands.js file to include custom commands for session management:

// cypress/support/commands.js
Cypress.Commands.add('saveLocalStorage', () => {
  Cypress.localStorageSnapshot = {};
  for (let item in localStorage) {
    Cypress.localStorageSnapshot[item] = localStorage.getItem(item);
  }
});

Cypress.Commands.add('restoreLocalStorage', () => {
  for (let item in Cypress.localStorageSnapshot) {
    localStorage.setItem(item, Cypress.localStorageSnapshot[item]);
  }
});

Ensure that commands.js is imported in cypress/support/e2e.js (or index.js in older versions):
// cypress/support/e2e.js
import './commands';

Basic Test Case:

Start with a simple test case to verify successful login:

describe('QA Brains Login Flow', () => {
  before(() => {
    cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
    cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
    cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('validpassword');
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  });

  it('should log in successfully', () => {
    cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
    cy.contains('Welcome, validuser').should('be.visible');
  });
});

Advanced Test Cases

Expand your testing to cover more scenarios:

1. Login with Invalid Username

it('should show an error message for invalid username', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('invaliduser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('validpassword');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Invalid username or password').should('be.visible');
});

2. Login with Invalid Password

it('should show an error message for invalid password', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('invalidpassword');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Invalid username or password').should('be.visible');
});

3. Login with Empty Username

it('should show an error message for empty username', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('validpassword');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Username is required').should('be.visible');
});

4. Login with Empty Password

it('should show an error message for empty password', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Password is required').should('be.visible');
});

5. Login with Empty Username and Password

it('should show error messages for empty username and password', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Username is required').should('be.visible');
  cy.contains('Password is required').should('be.visible');
});

6. Check Password Visibility Toggle

it('should toggle password visibility when the eye icon is clicked', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('password');
  cy.get('.password-toggle').click(); // Assuming there's an eye icon to toggle visibility
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').should('have.attr', 'type', 'text');
  cy.get('.password-toggle').click();
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').should('have.attr', 'type', 'password');
});

7. Login with Correct Credentials but Not Activated Account

it('should show an account not activated message', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('notactivateduser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('password123');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Your account has not been activated').should('be.visible');
});

8. Check Remember Me Functionality

it('should remember the user when the "Remember Me" checkbox is selected', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('validpassword');
  cy.get('input[name="remember"]').check(); // Assuming there's a checkbox for "Remember Me"
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
  // Close the browser and reopen to check if user is still logged in
  cy.reload(); // Refresh to check persistence
  cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
});

9. Check Redirection After Login

it('should redirect to the intended page after login', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/login?redirect=/profile');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('validpassword');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.url().should('include', '/profile');
});

10. Check Login Rate Limiting

it('should show a rate limit error after multiple failed login attempts', () => {
  for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
    cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
    cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('wrongpassword');
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
    cy.contains('Invalid username or password').should('be.visible');
  }
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('validuser');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('wrongpassword');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.contains('Too many login attempts, please try again later').should('be.visible');
});

11. Login with Special Characters in Credentials

it('should handle special characters in username and password', () => {
  cy.visit('https://qa-brains.com/');
  cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('user!@#$%^&*()');
  cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('pass!@#$%^&*()');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
  cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
});

Running Tests

Interactive Mode:

Open the Cypress Test Runner:

bash:

npx cypress open

This will open the Cypress Test Runner where you can select and run your test files interactively.

Headless Mode:

To run tests in headless mode (ideal for CI/CD pipelines):

bash:

npx cypress run

This command will execute all the tests without opening the Test Runner, and results will be displayed in the terminal.

Project Structure

After setting up, your project structure should look like this:

qa-brains-project/
│
├── cypress/
│   ├── e2e/
│   │   └── qa-brains.spec.js
│   ├── fixtures/
│   ├── support/
│   │   ├── commands.js
│   │   └── e2e.js
│
├── node_modules/
├── package.json
└── package-lock.json

Configuration

You can configure Cypress by creating or modifying the cypress.json file:

json

{
  "baseUrl": "https://qa-brains.com",
  "viewportWidth": 1280,
  "viewportHeight": 720,
  "video": false,
  "integrationFolder": "cypress/e2e"
}

Best Practices

Keep Tests Isolated: Each test should be independent and not rely on the outcome of previous tests.
Use Fixtures: Store reusable data in fixtures to keep tests clean and manageable.
Handle Errors Gracefully: Include error handling and recovery steps in your tests to handle unexpected situations.
Run Tests Regularly: Integrate tests into your CI/CD pipeline to run them automatically on each commit.

Troubleshooting

Tests Fail Randomly: Ensure that your tests are not dependent on timing or external factors. Use appropriate wait commands and assertions.
Element Not Found: Verify that the selectors used in your tests match the current HTML structure of the application.

Common Cypress Issues and Solutions

Before we delve into Cypress browser clearing issues, let’s address some other common issues that developers face while using Cypress, along with practical solutions.

Flaky Tests Due to Timing Issues

Problem: Tests may fail inconsistently due to elements not being ready or animations still running.
Solution: Use Cypress’s built-in automatic waiting. Cypress will wait for elements to appear and be actionable before interacting with them. If necessary, you can also add explicit cy.wait() commands, but it’s generally better to rely on Cypress’s implicit waiting.

cy.get('.button').click(); // Cypress waits for the element to be visible and clickable

Handling Asynchronous Operations

Problem: Cypress tests may proceed before asynchronous operations like API calls are completed.
Solution: Use assertions to wait for the operation to complete. For example, wait for an element that indicates the operation is finished.

cy.intercept('GET', '/api/data').as('getData');
cy.visit('/page');
cy.wait('@getData'); // Wait for the API call to complete
cy.get('.data-item').should('have.length.greaterThan', 0); // Check that data is displayed

Cross-Browser Compatibility

Problem: Tests may pass in one browser but fail in another due to browser-specific behavior.
Solution: Run your Cypress tests in multiple browsers using the –browser option to ensure compatibility.

bash::

npx cypress run --browser chrome
npx cypress run --browser firefox

Handling Third-Party Authentication

Problem: Testing applications with third-party authentication providers like Google or Facebook can be challenging.
Solution: Bypass the authentication process in tests by mocking the login API response or using Cypress’s cy.request() to programmatically log in.

cy.request('POST', '/login', { username: 'user', password: 'pass' })
  .then((response) => {
    cy.setCookie('session_id', response.body.session_id);
  });

Dealing with File Uploads

Problem: Handling file uploads in Cypress can be tricky, especially when interacting with native file dialogs.
Solution: Use the cypress-file-upload plugin to simulate file uploads in your tests.

cy.get('input[type="file"]').attachFile('example.jpg');

By addressing these common issues upfront, you can create more stable and reliable tests, allowing you to focus on more complex scenarios.

Handling Multiple Tabs in Cypress

Cypress natively does not support interactions with multiple tabs or windows due to its single-tab execution model. However, you can work around this limitation with a few strategies. Here’s how to manage and solve issues related to multiple tabs in Cypress.

Common Scenarios

1. Simulating Multiple Tabs

If you need to simulate actions that involve multiple tabs, you can use cy.window() to open a new tab and interact with it. However, Cypress’s default behavior does not allow direct interaction with multiple tabs simultaneously.

Example: Handling Multi-Tab Navigation

describe('Handle Multiple Tabs', () => {
  it('should simulate interaction with multiple tabs', () => {
    cy.visit('https://example.com'); // Primary tab
    cy.get('a[target="_blank"]').then(($link) => {
      const url = $link.attr('href');
      cy.window().then((win) => {
        const newTab = win.open(url, '_blank');
        cy.wrap(newTab).then((tab) => {
          cy.wrap(tab).visit(url);
          cy.wrap(tab).contains('Some text on new tab').should('be.visible');
        });
      });
    });
  });
});

2. Handling Redirects

Sometimes, handling redirects or links that open in a new tab can be managed by intercepting the request and ensuring the behavior is as expected.

Example: Testing a Link That Opens in a New Tab

describe('Handle Redirects', () => {
  it('should test links that open in a new tab', () => {
    cy.visit('https://example.com');
    cy.get('a[target="_blank"]').invoke('removeAttr', 'target').click(); // Remove target to open in the same tab
    cy.url().should('include', '/expected-page');
  });
});

Strategies for Testing Multi-Tab Scenarios

1. Use Same Tab Approach

If possible, modify the application or test to work within the same tab. This often involves removing or modifying the target=”_blank” attribute in links to open pages in the same tab, allowing Cypress to handle them seamlessly.

2. Work with URL Changes

When dealing with multiple tabs, you can sometimes simulate the behavior by ensuring URL changes are handled correctly. For example, if a new tab is opened, you can check the URL directly.

Example: Verifying URL Change

describe('Verify URL Change', () => {
  it('should verify URL change after clicking a link', () => {
    cy.visit('https://example.com');
    cy.get('a').click();
    cy.url().should('include', '/new-page'); // Check the URL change
  });
});

3. Mocking External Requests

If the multi-tab behavior involves making requests to an external service, consider using cy.intercept() to mock these requests, allowing you to control and verify the behavior without needing actual multi-tab interactions.

Example: Mocking an External Request

describe('Mock External Requests', () => {
  it('should mock an external request in multi-tab scenarios', () => {
    cy.intercept('GET', 'https://api.example.com/data', { fixture: 'data.json' }).as('getData');
    cy.visit('https://example.com');
    cy.get('button').click();
    cy.wait('@getData');
    cy.contains('Data loaded').should('be.visible');
  });
});

Addressing Cypress Browser Clearing Issues and Solutions:

One common issue with Cypress is that it clears browser data (like cookies and session storage) between tests. This can be frustrating if your tests need to maintain a logged-in state across multiple steps. Let’s look at some real-world examples and how to solve this problem.

Problem: After logging in, Cypress clears the session before the next test. This causes tests that rely on the logged-in state to fail.

Solution: Disable test isolation by adding this to your Cypress configuration:

module.exports = {
  e2e: {
    testIsolation: false,
  },
};

Scenario 2: Testing a Banking Application

Problem: Cypress clears session data after each test, making it difficult to test flows that require the user to be logged in.

Solution: Use hooks to log in once and restore session data before each test:

before(() => {
  cy.login();
  cy.saveLocalStorage();
});

beforeEach(() => {
  cy.restoreLocalStorage();
});

Scenario 3: Testing an Online Learning Platform

Problem: Tests fail when the user is logged out between steps, like enrolling in a course and taking a quiz.

Solution: Create custom commands to login and manage session data:

Cypress.Commands.add('login', () => {
  cy.visit('/login');
  cy.get('#email').type('student@example.com');
  cy.get('#password').type('password123');
  cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
});

before(() => {
  cy.login();
  cy.saveLocalStorage();
});

beforeEach(() => {
  cy.restoreLocalStorage();
});

Conclusion

Cypress is a versatile and powerful tool for automating front-end testing, offering unique features like real-time feedback, reliable tests, and easy debugging. Its modern approach makes it an excellent choice for testing user interactions, handling network requests, and ensuring cross-browser compatibility. Despite its limitations, such as the single-tab execution model and browser data clearing, Cypress provides workarounds and customization options to fit a variety of testing needs. By leveraging Cypress’s strengths and addressing its challenges with practical solutions, you can build robust, automated test suites that ensure your applications perform flawlessly in real-world scenarios. Whether you’re testing a simple login flow or complex multi-tab interactions, Cypress empowers you to streamline your QA processes, making your testing efforts more efficient and reliable.

Happy testing!

This page was last edited on 22 August 2024, at 11:38 am

Cypress Guide 101: From Installation to Tackling Testing Challenges

Beyond Bugs, Toward Brilliance!

How Cypress Helps in Automation

Cypress vs. Other Automation Tools

Installing Cypress

Project Setup

Setting Up Cypress

Creating Test Files

Advanced Test Cases

Running Tests

Project Structure

Configuration

Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Common Cypress Issues and Solutions

Flaky Tests Due to Timing Issues

Handling Asynchronous Operations

Cross-Browser Compatibility

Handling Third-Party Authentication

Dealing with File Uploads

Handling Multiple Tabs in Cypress

Common Scenarios

Strategies for Testing Multi-Tab Scenarios

Addressing Cypress Browser Clearing Issues and Solutions:

Scenario 2: Testing a Banking Application

Scenario 3: Testing an Online Learning Platform

Conclusion

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Add Riseup Labs to Homescreen

Cypress Guide 101: From Installation to Tackling Testing Challenges

Beyond Bugs, Toward Brilliance!

How Cypress Helps in Automation

Cypress vs. Other Automation Tools

Installing Cypress

Automating Login Tests for QA Brains with Cypress

Project Setup

Setting Up Cypress

Creating Test Files

Writing Login Test Cases

Advanced Test Cases

Running Tests

Project Structure

Configuration

Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Common Cypress Issues and Solutions

Flaky Tests Due to Timing Issues

Handling Asynchronous Operations

Cross-Browser Compatibility

Handling Third-Party Authentication

Dealing with File Uploads

Handling Multiple Tabs in Cypress

Common Scenarios

Strategies for Testing Multi-Tab Scenarios

Addressing Cypress Browser Clearing Issues and Solutions:

Scenario 1: Testing a Social Media Platform

Scenario 2: Testing a Banking Application

Scenario 3: Testing an Online Learning Platform

Conclusion

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Add Riseup Labs to Homescreen