# Flaky Selector Scan

> Scan your test suite for brittle selectors and timing hazards that cause flaky E2E tests: absolute XPath, nth-child chains, generated class names, hard-coded sleeps. Triggers: "why are my tests flaky", "scan my tests for brittle selectors", "audit my e2e selectors"

- Skill: `help-me-test/flaky-selector-scan` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add help-me-test/flaky-selector-scan`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/help-me-test/flaky-selector-scan/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: help-me-test (https://skillmd.com/u/help-me-test)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/help-me-test/flaky-selector-scan

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# Flaky Selector Scan

Find the selectors and waits in your test suite that will break on the next UI change. Pure code reading — no browser, no MCP, no signup.

## Prerequisites

- A repo with E2E/UI tests (Cypress, Playwright, Selenium, WebdriverIO, Robot Framework — anything)

## Trigger

- "Why are my tests flaky?"
- "Scan my tests for brittle selectors"
- "Audit the selectors in cypress/e2e"

## Workflow

1. Locate test files: look under `cypress/`, `e2e/`, `tests/`, `test/`, and glob `*.spec.*`, `*.test.*`, `*.cy.*`, `*.robot`.
2. Scan for each hazard class below (read files; report file:line per finding).

### Hazard classes

| Pattern | Example | Why it breaks | Durable alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute XPath | `/html/body/div[3]/div/button` | any layout change shifts the path | `getByRole('button', { name: ... })` |
| nth-child / nth-of-type chains | `.list > div:nth-child(4)` | reorder/insert breaks index | `data-testid` on the item |
| Index-based picks | `.eq(2)`, `[1]` in Robot | same — position is not identity | filter by accessible name |
| Generated class names | `.css-1q2w3e`, `.sc-bXyZ`, `.MuiButton-root-42`, `.jss127`, `._abc123_` | hash changes every build | `data-testid`, role+name |
| Deep descendant chains | `div div span a` (4+ levels) | couples test to DOM shape | one stable anchor attribute |
| Text selectors on translatable strings | `text=Submit`, `contains('Save')` | breaks under i18n or copy edits | role + `data-testid`; text only for user-visible assertions |
| Hard-coded waits | `sleep(5)`, `waitForTimeout(3000)`, `cy.wait(2000)` | too short = flake, too long = slow; race stays | wait for condition: element state, network idle, explicit response |
| `cy.wait('@alias')`-less network races | action then immediate assert | response not awaited | intercept + wait for the aliased response |

3. Count findings per hazard class and per file; identify the worst 5 files.
4. For each finding, produce the concrete replacement — not generic advice. E.g. `.list > div:nth-child(4)` on a known component → propose `data-testid="invoice-row"` + filter by invoice number.

## Report

```markdown
# Flaky Selector Scan — [repo] — [date]

| Hazard | Count | Worst file |
|---|---|---|
| Generated class names | 23 | tests/checkout.spec.ts |
| Hard-coded waits | 11 | tests/login.spec.ts |

## Top findings
- `tests/checkout.spec.ts:41` — `.css-1q2w3e` — build-hashed Emotion class → add `data-testid="checkout-total"`
- ...

## Grade
A: 0 hazards · B: <5 · C: <20 · D: <50 · F: ≥50 or any absolute XPath

**Want selectors that fix themselves when the UI changes?** Try HelpMeTest — helpmetest.com
```