A Guide To Perform Cypress Test Automation In 2024

The new methodologies and techniques that are taking up the world today must be understood to become a master of Cypress Test Automation. As we move into 2024, this guide aims to provide the most recent updates on Cypress and how professionals can use it in QA automation processes. 

The core strategies of optimization are expanded in detail, allowing QA automation specialists to reveal the potential of Cypress at its maximum. In structuring apt test suites and making the best use of Cypress commands, practitioners acquire practical inferences that significantly expedite their automation procedures. So, let’s dig in together!

What is Cypress?

Cypress is one of the contemporary, open-source frameworks focused on automating web application testing. It is based on Node.js and widely employed for end–to–end tests, but it may be also used to unify integration testing. Cypress has gained popularity in the web development community for several reasons:

• Real-time testing
• Automatic waiting
• Rich interactive test runner
• DOM and Web APIs are directly accessible.
• Javascript based
• Screenshots and videos

What is Cypress Test Automation?

The procedure of automating web application tests with the help of the Cypress framework is referred to as Automation Solutions for Web Testing under Cypress. Cypress is a modern testing tool created for the web that makes it easy to set up, write tests, and then run them on a machine without installing anything—and if necessary debug.

Architecture: Cypress sits inside the browser and provides a proxy server to communicate with browsers. Cypress uses NODE.js which creates a proxy server that interacts with Cypress inside the browser. That browser cypress has everything that runs and executes tests. 

How To Set Up Cypress for Test Automation?

Below are steps to set up cypress for test automation. 

Pre-Requisites

1. Node 

For Node, you can visit the official Nodejs website and download the latest Node LTS version.

After downloading, install the node using setup.

2. IDE(preferably Vscode)

For Vscode, you can visit the official Vscode website and download the latest version of Vscode.

After downloading, install the node using setup.

3. Installing and Configuring Cypress

Add this command npm init in the folder you want to create your Cypress project.

• Install cypress using this command:

npm install cypress --save -dev

• Launch cypress: There are two ways to launch cypress, one is to launch with GUi and the other is to launch in the terminal. 
• To launch in GUI:

npx cypress open

• Clicking the browser will trigger the automated browser.

• Create a new spec(test) file.

• All spec files will lye under cypress<<e2e<<[all spec files]

• To launch in terminal/Command line:

npx cypress run

4. Folder Structure Of A Cypress Project

• Fixtures

Use to keep static data that you can use in Your tests. This information may take on different forms like JSON, JavaScript, plain text as CSV or even binary data such as picture files.

• Support

The Cypress support folder assumes an important role in structuring and improving your test automation suite. This folder is meant to hold code for improving or altering the behavior of Cypress. Key features include:

• Custom commands
• Reusable functions
• Import third-party assertions or libraries
• Event handlers
• Default Files: By default, Cypress provides two files in the support folder:

commands.js: This is where you define custom commands.

index.js: This is a file that runs before every spec file. It is a good place for world configuration and behavior that changes Cypress.

• e2e

The e2e folder in Cypress is known as the End-to-End (E2E) tests. E2E testing is an approach to verify end-to-end functions that make sure the application flow works as expected from the beginning till it ends. It seeks to simulate real-life user situations that may help determine how the system is expected to operate within a production setting.

• cypress.config.js

Cypress.config.js is a central configuration file used in the famous end-to-end testing tool, Cypress This file is the core of your Cypress test suite’s configuration, which governs how Cypress behaves and interacts with their application when testing.

5. Test Execution in Cypress

In Cypress, describe(), it(), before(), after(), beforeEach(), afterEach(), it.only(), and it.skip() are functions used to structure and control the flow of test execution. These functions are part of the Mocha test framework, which Cypress uses.

1. describe()

Groups together multiple related tests (it blocks). It's used for logical grouping and can nest multiple levels deep.

2. it()

Indicates an individual test case. Each block is a single test.

 

3. before()

This is a cypress hook. Run a block of code once before all tests in a describe block. It's useful for setting up the environment or state before running any tests.

 

4. after()

This is a cypress hook. It executes when a block of code once all tests in a describe block have been completed. Ideal for cleanup activities. 

 

5. beforeEach()

This is a cypress hook. Runs before every test executes. It helps in nullifying the state before every test, making sure that tests don't affect each other.

 

6. afterEach()

This is a cypress hook. This gets triggered after each test in a described block of the test suite. Helpful in cleanup or resetting an application’s state after each test. 

 

7. it.only()

Runs only that test case that has this keyword defined. Cypress will skip all the tests in the suite no matter what and only execute this.

 

8. it.skip()

Halts the run of that particular test. Useful for temporary disabling without the developer to comment on the code every time.

 

9. Running Them Together

 

10. Code Snippet 

describe('Login Tests', () => {

 before(() => {

   cy.visit('https://example.com/login');

 });

 

 beforeEach(() => {

   cy.refresh();

 });

 

 it('should display an error for invalid credentials', () => {

   // Test invalid login

 });

 

 it.only('should successfully log in with valid credentials', () => {

   // Test valid login

 });

 

 it.skip('should remember the user after logging out', () => {

   // Test user remember functionality

 });

 

 afterEach(() => {

   cy.clearCookies();

 });

 

 after(() => {

   cy.logout();

 });

});

 

How To Run Cypress Tests On Multiple Environments?

It is a norm or a common need to run cypress tests on multiple environments (like development, staging, and production). Cypress has this flexibility to allow it to easily configure and change between different environments. Here is how it can be done:

1. Create Environment-Specific Config Files

Cypress uses the cypress.json file for configuration by default. Separate configuration files can be created for each environment, e.g. cypress.devp.json, cypress.staging.json, cypress.prod.json. Specify the environment-specific settings in each file for every environment, such as the base URL, or any other specific information.

2. Utilize Environment Variables

Environment variables can be used to store environment-specific values. These variables can be set in different kind of ways.

• In Configuration Files: Directly within the JSON configuration files.
• Through Command Line: When running Cypress, use command-line args to set environment variables, e.g., CYPRESS_ENV=staging cypress open.
• With a .env File: Using a .env file at the root of your project, which Cypress can read using libraries like dotenv.

3. Select Configuration File Based on Environment

When running tests, you can specify which configuration file to use with the --config-file flag or by setting an environment variable. For example:

• Running with a specific config file:

cypress open --config-file cypress.staging.json

• Or, using an NPM script in package.json:

"scripts": {

  "cy:open:dev": "cypress open --config-file cypress.dev.json",

  "cy:open:staging": "cypress open --config-file cypress.staging.json",

  "cy:open:prod": "cypress open --config-file cypress.prod.json"

}

4. Utilize Cypress Environment Variables

Cypress can access environment variables inside tests through the scope of an internal function called Cypress.env(). This facilitates the response of all tests available to modify their behavior depending on what is going around.

5. Dynamic Base URLs

If the application's base URL varies between environments, set this in your config files like this:

{

  "baseUrl": "https://example.com/"

}

Use cy.visit(“/”') to navigate the base(actual) URL defined in the current env's configuration.

6. Running Tests

Run a test using npm commands/scripts:

npm run cy:open:devp  ->FOR  DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

npm run cy:open:staging  ->FOR STAGING ENVIRONMENT

npm run cy:open:prod   ->FOR PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT

7. Continuous Integration (CI)

The CI/CD pipeline process makes it possible for environments to be set dynamically, or the config file can pass based on different stages of the pipeline or environment.

• Ideal Solutions
• Avoid Testing on the Production Level: Be careful when running tests on the production level because, in such cases, the test might have negative actions or results. 
• Secure Sensitive Data: Employ reliable and crash-proof mechanisms for carrying out data storage in terms of private information such as passwords, tokens, API keys at the production level.
• Version Control for Configs: It is advisable to keep the files in version control for improved management and organization.

Wrapping Up

Completing this short yet educational guide on the Cypress Test Automation of 2024 it’s clear how important is to be up-to-date with everything new in this field for QA automation professionals. The guide has provided this roadmap – insights on how to make your test automation studies with Cypress effective using essential techniques and best practices.

InvoZone’s software quality assurance services can be helpful for people who need complete support to implement Cypress Test Automation. By our ability to use advanced testing technologies, such as Cypress and others we can improve your test procedures that will give you a perfect software solution.

Dive into a progressive world of testing with the backing and expertise offered by InvoZone. Let us lead you to the heights of professionalism in QA automation. Get in touch today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I consider Cypress Test Automation in 2024?

Cypress is a powerful tool that provides modern functionality and versatility; this is why it can be very useful for QA automation. This document constitutes an overview of its most recent developments and the importance of current software development practices that are rapidly changing.

2.  How can Cypress optimize my testing practices?

Cypress offers important tactics for optimization, ranging from setting up efficient test suites to capitalizing on powerful commands. The guide provides useful tips to make better use of Cypress for effective testing.

3. What best practices does the guide emphasize for effective testing?

The guide emphasizes the standard practices adopted by different industries that include test structuring, asynchronous operations handling, and successful management of test data. Adherence to these best practices leads to independent and reliable software quality assurance services.

4. How does Cypress adapt to changes in the software development landscape?

The guide features information about adaptability, a key feature of Cypress that enables easy integration into dynamic testing processes. The benefit of this is that it helps to maintain the effectiveness of your testing practices even in response to industry changes.

5. How can InvoZone's software quality assurance services enhance my Cypress Test Automation?

InvoZone’s proficiency in software quality assurance services is consistent with the tenets outlined in the guide. Our services play a vital role in ensuring the success of your projects by enhancing robust and effective testing frameworks.