Cypress Automation Skill
When to Use
Use this skill when you need generates production-grade Cypress E2E and component tests in JavaScript or TypeScript. Supports local execution and TestMu AI cloud. Use when the user asks to write Cypress tests, set up Cypress, test with cy commands, or mentions "Cypress", "cy.visit", "cy.get", "cy.intercept"....
You are a senior QA automation architect specializing in Cypress.
Step 1 — Execution Target
User says "test" / "automate"
│
├─ Mentions "cloud", "TestMu", "LambdaTest", "cross-browser"?
│ └─ TestMu AI cloud via cypress-cli plugin
│
├─ Mentions "locally", "open", "headed"?
│ └─ Local: npx cypress open
│
└─ Ambiguous? → Default local, mention cloud option
Step 2 — Test Type
| Signal |
Type |
Config |
| "E2E", "end-to-end", page URL |
E2E test |
cypress/e2e/ |
| "component", "React", "Vue" |
Component test |
cypress/component/ |
| "API test", "cy.request" |
API test via Cypress |
cypress/e2e/api/ |
Core Patterns
Command Chaining — CRITICAL
// ✅ Cypress chains — no await, no async
cy.visit('/login');
cy.get('#username').type('user@test.com');
cy.get('#password').type('password123');
cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
// ❌ NEVER use async/await with cy commands
// ❌ NEVER assign cy.get() to a variable for later use
Selector Priority
1. cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]') ← Best practice
2. cy.get('[data-testid="submit"]') ← Also good
3. cy.contains('Submit') ← Text-based
4. cy.get('#submit-btn') ← ID
5. cy.get('.btn-primary') ← Class (fragile)
Anti-Patterns
| Bad |
Good |
Why |
cy.wait(5000) |
cy.intercept() + cy.wait('@alias') |
Arbitrary waits |
const el = cy.get() |
Chain directly |
Cypress is async |
async/await with cy |
Chain .then() if needed |
Different async model |
| Testing 3rd party sites |
Stub/mock instead |
Flaky, slow |
Single beforeEach with everything |
Multiple focused specs |
Better isolation |
Basic Test Structure
describe('Login', () => {
beforeEach(() => {
cy.visit('/login');
});
it('should login with valid credentials', () => {
cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type('user@test.com');
cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type('password123');
cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();
cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
cy.get('[data-cy="welcome"]').should('contain', 'Welcome');
});
it('should show error for invalid credentials', () => {
cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type('wrong@test.com');
cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type('wrong');
cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();
cy.get('[data-cy="error"]').should('be.visible');
});
});
Network Interception
// Stub API response
cy.intercept('POST', '/api/login', {
statusCode: 200,
body: { token: 'fake-jwt', user: { name: 'Test User' } },
}).as('loginRequest');
cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();
cy.wait('@loginRequest').its('request.body').should('deep.include', {
email: 'user@test.com',
});
// Wait for real API
cy.intercept('GET', '/api/dashboard').as('dashboardLoad');
cy.visit('/dashboard');
cy.wait('@dashboardLoad');
Custom Commands
// cypress/support/commands.js
Cypress.Commands.add('login', (email, password) => {
cy.session([email, password], () => {
cy.visit('/login');
cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type(email);
cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type(password);
cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();
cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
});
});
// Usage in tests
cy.login('user@test.com', 'password123');
TestMu AI Cloud
// cypress.config.js
module.exports = {
e2e: {
setupNodeEvents(on, config) {
// LambdaTest plugin
},
},
};
// lambdatest-config.json
{
"lambdatest_auth": {
"username": "${LT_USERNAME}",
"access_key": "${LT_ACCESS_KEY}"
},
"browsers": [
{ "browser": "Chrome", "platform": "Windows 11", "versions": ["latest"] },
{ "browser": "Firefox", "platform": "macOS Sequoia", "versions": ["latest"] }
],
"run_settings": {
"build_name": "Cypress Build",
"parallels": 5,
"specs": "cypress/e2e/**/*.cy.js"
}
}
Run on cloud:
npx lambdatest-cypress run
Validation Workflow
- No arbitrary waits: Zero
cy.wait(number) — use intercepts
- Selectors: Prefer
data-cy attributes
- No async/await: Pure Cypress chaining
- Assertions: Use
.should() chains, not manual checks
- Isolation: Each test independent, use
cy.session() for auth
Quick Reference
| Task |
Command |
| Open interactive |
npx cypress open |
| Run headless |
npx cypress run |
| Run specific spec |
npx cypress run --spec "cypress/e2e/login.cy.js" |
| Run in browser |
npx cypress run --browser chrome |
| Component tests |
npx cypress run --component |
| Environment vars |
CYPRESS_BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000 npx cypress run |
| Fixtures |
cy.fixture('users.json').then(data => ...) |
| File upload |
cy.get('input[type="file"]').selectFile('file.pdf') |
| Viewport |
cy.viewport('iphone-x') or cy.viewport(1280, 720) |
| Screenshot |
cy.screenshot('login-page') |
Reference Files
| File |
When to Read |
reference/cloud-integration.md |
LambdaTest Cypress CLI, parallel, config |
reference/component-testing.md |
React/Vue/Angular component tests |
reference/custom-commands.md |
Advanced commands, overwrite, TypeScript |
reference/debugging-flaky.md |
Retry-ability, detached DOM, race conditions |
Advanced Playbook
For production-grade patterns, see reference/playbook.md:
| Section |
What's Inside |
| §1 Production Config |
Multi-env configs, setupNodeEvents |
| §2 Auth with cy.session() |
UI login, API login, validation |
| §3 Page Object Pattern |
Fluent page classes, barrel exports |
| §4 Network Interception |
Mock, modify, delay, wait for API |
| §5 Component Testing |
React/Vue mount, stubs, variants |
| §6 Custom Commands |
TypeScript declarations, drag-drop |
| §7 DB Reset & Seeding |
API reset, Cypress tasks, Prisma |
| §8 Time Control |
cy.clock(), cy.tick() |
| §9 File Operations |
Upload, drag-drop, download verify |
| §10 iframe & Shadow DOM |
Content access patterns |
| §11 Accessibility |
cypress-axe, WCAG audits |
| §12 Visual Regression |
Percy, cypress-image-snapshot |
| §13 CI/CD |
GitHub Actions matrix + Cypress Cloud parallel |
| §14 Debugging Table |
11 common problems with fixes |
| §15 Best Practices |
15-item production checklist |
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
- Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
- Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.
1---2name: cypress-skill3description: Generates production-grade Cypress E2E and component tests in JavaScript or TypeScript. Supports local execution and TestMu AI cloud. Use when the user asks to write Cypress tests, set up Cypress, test with cy commands, or mentions "Cypress", "cy.visit", "cy.get", "cy.intercept"....4license: MIT5---67# Cypress Automation Skill8## When to Use910Use this skill when you need generates production-grade Cypress E2E and component tests in JavaScript or TypeScript. Supports local execution and TestMu AI cloud. Use when the user asks to write Cypress tests, set up Cypress, test with cy commands, or mentions "Cypress", "cy.visit", "cy.get", "cy.intercept"....111213You are a senior QA automation architect specializing in Cypress.1415## Step 1 — Execution Target1617```18User says "test" / "automate"19│20├─ Mentions "cloud", "TestMu", "LambdaTest", "cross-browser"?21│ └─ TestMu AI cloud via cypress-cli plugin22│23├─ Mentions "locally", "open", "headed"?24│ └─ Local: npx cypress open25│26└─ Ambiguous? → Default local, mention cloud option27```2829## Step 2 — Test Type3031| Signal | Type | Config |32|--------|------|--------|33| "E2E", "end-to-end", page URL | E2E test | `cypress/e2e/` |34| "component", "React", "Vue" | Component test | `cypress/component/` |35| "API test", "cy.request" | API test via Cypress | `cypress/e2e/api/` |3637## Core Patterns3839### Command Chaining — CRITICAL4041```javascript42// ✅ Cypress chains — no await, no async43cy.visit('/login');44cy.get('#username').type('user@test.com');45cy.get('#password').type('password123');46cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();47cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');4849// ❌ NEVER use async/await with cy commands50// ❌ NEVER assign cy.get() to a variable for later use51```5253### Selector Priority5455```561. cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]') ← Best practice572. cy.get('[data-testid="submit"]') ← Also good583. cy.contains('Submit') ← Text-based594. cy.get('#submit-btn') ← ID605. cy.get('.btn-primary') ← Class (fragile)61```6263### Anti-Patterns6465| Bad | Good | Why |66|-----|------|-----|67| `cy.wait(5000)` | `cy.intercept()` + `cy.wait('@alias')` | Arbitrary waits |68| `const el = cy.get()` | Chain directly | Cypress is async |69| `async/await` with cy | Chain `.then()` if needed | Different async model |70| Testing 3rd party sites | Stub/mock instead | Flaky, slow |71| Single `beforeEach` with everything | Multiple focused specs | Better isolation |7273### Basic Test Structure7475```javascript76describe('Login', () => {77 beforeEach(() => {78 cy.visit('/login');79 });8081 it('should login with valid credentials', () => {82 cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type('user@test.com');83 cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type('password123');84 cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();85 cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');86 cy.get('[data-cy="welcome"]').should('contain', 'Welcome');87 });8889 it('should show error for invalid credentials', () => {90 cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type('wrong@test.com');91 cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type('wrong');92 cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();93 cy.get('[data-cy="error"]').should('be.visible');94 });95});96```9798### Network Interception99100```javascript101// Stub API response102cy.intercept('POST', '/api/login', {103 statusCode: 200,104 body: { token: 'fake-jwt', user: { name: 'Test User' } },105}).as('loginRequest');106107cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();108cy.wait('@loginRequest').its('request.body').should('deep.include', {109 email: 'user@test.com',110});111112// Wait for real API113cy.intercept('GET', '/api/dashboard').as('dashboardLoad');114cy.visit('/dashboard');115cy.wait('@dashboardLoad');116```117118### Custom Commands119120```javascript121// cypress/support/commands.js122Cypress.Commands.add('login', (email, password) => {123 cy.session([email, password], () => {124 cy.visit('/login');125 cy.get('[data-cy="username"]').type(email);126 cy.get('[data-cy="password"]').type(password);127 cy.get('[data-cy="submit"]').click();128 cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');129 });130});131132// Usage in tests133cy.login('user@test.com', 'password123');134```135136### TestMu AI Cloud137138```javascript139// cypress.config.js140module.exports = {141 e2e: {142 setupNodeEvents(on, config) {143 // LambdaTest plugin144 },145 },146};147148// lambdatest-config.json149{150 "lambdatest_auth": {151 "username": "${LT_USERNAME}",152 "access_key": "${LT_ACCESS_KEY}"153 },154 "browsers": [155 { "browser": "Chrome", "platform": "Windows 11", "versions": ["latest"] },156 { "browser": "Firefox", "platform": "macOS Sequoia", "versions": ["latest"] }157 ],158 "run_settings": {159 "build_name": "Cypress Build",160 "parallels": 5,161 "specs": "cypress/e2e/**/*.cy.js"162 }163}164```165166**Run on cloud:**167```bash168npx lambdatest-cypress run169```170171## Validation Workflow1721731. **No arbitrary waits**: Zero `cy.wait(number)` — use intercepts1742. **Selectors**: Prefer `data-cy` attributes1753. **No async/await**: Pure Cypress chaining1764. **Assertions**: Use `.should()` chains, not manual checks1775. **Isolation**: Each test independent, use `cy.session()` for auth178179## Quick Reference180181| Task | Command |182|------|---------|183| Open interactive | `npx cypress open` |184| Run headless | `npx cypress run` |185| Run specific spec | `npx cypress run --spec "cypress/e2e/login.cy.js"` |186| Run in browser | `npx cypress run --browser chrome` |187| Component tests | `npx cypress run --component` |188| Environment vars | `CYPRESS_BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000 npx cypress run` |189| Fixtures | `cy.fixture('users.json').then(data => ...)` |190| File upload | `cy.get('input[type="file"]').selectFile('file.pdf')` |191| Viewport | `cy.viewport('iphone-x')` or `cy.viewport(1280, 720)` |192| Screenshot | `cy.screenshot('login-page')` |193194## Reference Files195196| File | When to Read |197|------|-------------|198| `reference/cloud-integration.md` | LambdaTest Cypress CLI, parallel, config |199| `reference/component-testing.md` | React/Vue/Angular component tests |200| `reference/custom-commands.md` | Advanced commands, overwrite, TypeScript |201| `reference/debugging-flaky.md` | Retry-ability, detached DOM, race conditions |202203## Advanced Playbook204205For production-grade patterns, see `reference/playbook.md`:206207| Section | What's Inside |208|---------|--------------|209| §1 Production Config | Multi-env configs, setupNodeEvents |210| §2 Auth with cy.session() | UI login, API login, validation |211| §3 Page Object Pattern | Fluent page classes, barrel exports |212| §4 Network Interception | Mock, modify, delay, wait for API |213| §5 Component Testing | React/Vue mount, stubs, variants |214| §6 Custom Commands | TypeScript declarations, drag-drop |215| §7 DB Reset & Seeding | API reset, Cypress tasks, Prisma |216| §8 Time Control | cy.clock(), cy.tick() |217| §9 File Operations | Upload, drag-drop, download verify |218| §10 iframe & Shadow DOM | Content access patterns |219| §11 Accessibility | cypress-axe, WCAG audits |220| §12 Visual Regression | Percy, cypress-image-snapshot |221| §13 CI/CD | GitHub Actions matrix + Cypress Cloud parallel |222| §14 Debugging Table | 11 common problems with fixes |223| §15 Best Practices | 15-item production checklist |224225## Limitations226227- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.228- Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.229- Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.