Testdriver:type

Overview

Type text or numbers into the input field that has focus. You can set an optional delay between the keystrokes.

Syntax

await testdriver.type(text, options)

Parameters

<ParamField path="secret" type="boolean" default={false}>
  If `true`, TestDriver makes the text sensitive data. It does not log or store it in the debug info or in dashcam.
</ParamField>

Returns

Promise<void>

Examples

Basic Typing

// Type text
await testdriver.type('hello@example.com');

// Type numbers
await testdriver.type(12345);

// Type with custom delay (legacy syntax)
await testdriver.type('slow typing', 500); // 500ms between each character

// Type with options object
await testdriver.type('text', { delay: 500 });

Password/Secret Handling

// ✅ SECURE - Mark as secret to prevent logging
const passwordField = await testdriver.find('password input');
await passwordField.click();
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd', { secret: true });
// Password NOT logged in dashcam or debug output

// ❌ INSECURE - Password will be logged
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd');
// Password appears in logs, dashcam replay, and debug info

// Use secret for any sensitive data
await testdriver.find('api key input').click();
await testdriver.type('sk-1234567890abcdef', { secret: true });

await testdriver.find('credit card input').click();
await testdriver.type('4111111111111111', { secret: true });

If you do not use this option, the typed text shows in these:

• Dashcam video replays
• TestDriver logs
• Debug screenshots
• Error messages

Form Filling

// Focus field and type
const emailField = await testdriver.find('email input');
await emailField.click();
await testdriver.type('user@example.com');

// Tab to next field and type
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('John Doe');

// Type password securely
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd', { secret: true });

Clearing and Replacing Text

const searchBox = await testdriver.find('search input');
await searchBox.click();

// Clear existing text
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
await testdriver.type('new search query');

Best Practices

Always click the input field or navigate to it before typing:

const input = await testdriver.find('username input');
await input.click();
await testdriver.type('testuser');

Navigate between fields using Tab instead of clicking each one:

const firstField = await testdriver.find('first name');
await firstField.click();
await testdriver.type('John');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('Doe');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('john@example.com');

Clear existing content to avoid appending:

const input = await testdriver.find('search field');
await input.click();
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
await testdriver.type('new search');

Typing will only work if an input field is currently focused. If no field is focused, the text may be lost or trigger unexpected keyboard shortcuts.

Use Cases

const usernameField = await testdriver.find('username input');
await usernameField.click();
await testdriver.type('testuser@example.com');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('MyP@ssword123', { secret: true });

await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
```

// Wait for results
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2000));
```

// Navigate with Tab
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('jane.smith@example.com');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('+1-555-0123');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('123 Main Street');
```

await testdriver.type('# My Document', 100);
await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter', 'enter']);
await testdriver.type('This is the first paragraph.', 50);
```

// Clear field
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']);

// Type number
await testdriver.type(5);
```

Typing Speed

Adjust the delay parameter based on your needs:

// Fast typing (100ms delay)
await testdriver.type('quick entry', 100);

// Normal typing (250ms - default)
await testdriver.type('standard speed');

// Slow typing (500ms delay) - useful for fields with live validation
await testdriver.type('slow and steady', 500);

// Very slow (1000ms delay) - for problematic fields
await testdriver.type('one by one', 1000);

Special Characters

// Email addresses
await testdriver.type('user@example.com');

// URLs
await testdriver.type('https://example.com/path?query=value');

// Passwords with special characters
await testdriver.type('P@ssw0rd!#$%');

// Paths
await testdriver.type('C:\\Users\\Documents\\file.txt');

// Multi-line text (use pressKeys for Enter)
await testdriver.type('Line 1');
await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
await testdriver.type('Line 2');

Complete Example

import { beforeAll, afterAll, describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
import TestDriver from 'testdriverai';

describe('Form Filling with Type', () => {
  let testdriver;

  beforeAll(async () => {
    client = new TestDriver(process.env.TD_API_KEY);
    await testdriver.auth();
    await testdriver.connect();
  });

  afterAll(async () => {
    await testdriver.disconnect();
  });

  it('should fill out registration form', async () => {
    await testdriver.focusApplication('Google Chrome');
    
    // Email field
    const emailField = await testdriver.find('email input field');
    await emailField.click();
    await testdriver.type('john.doe@example.com');
    
    // Tab through form fields
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('John');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('Doe');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssword123');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssword123'); // Confirm password
    
    // Verify fields were filled
    const result = await testdriver.assert('all form fields are filled');
    expect(result).toBeTruthy();
  });

  it('should update search query', async () => {
    const searchBox = await testdriver.find('search input');
    await searchBox.click();
    
    // Type initial search
    await testdriver.type('laptops');
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
    
    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2000));
    
    // Update search
    await searchBox.click();
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
    await testdriver.type('gaming laptops');
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
    
    // Verify new search
    await testdriver.assert('search results for "gaming laptops" are shown');
  });
});

Related Methods

• pressKeys() - Press keyboard keys and shortcuts
• find() - Locate input fields
• click() - Focus input fields