Getting started with browser tests

With mabl, you can quickly build coverage of your web app and deliver quality at scale. Use the steps outlined in this article to create your first tests for your web app:

• Describe what you want to test
• Let the agent build the test
• Review the generated test
• Run the test
• Next steps

Describe what you want to test

To create a new browser test, click New test and choose the Start chatting option. In the prompt field, describe what you want to test and the URL you want to test at. Start with a simple user journey that validates core functionality. For example:

“Make sure visitors can contact us from our website. Visit https://example.com, go to the About page, and fill out a contact form.”

Once submitted, the mabl agent generates a test outline. You may continue interacting with the agent in the chat interface or directly edit the test information until the outline meets your needs.

There are many settings you can associate with a test, including descriptions, labels, plans, and credentials. For now, just make sure the test is using the correct base URL.

Depending on how you access your app, choose one of the following approaches to generating the test:

• Generate - select this option if you can access your app from the public Internet. The agent builds out your test in the mabl cloud.
• Generate against local app - select this option if your app only runs on your machine or private network, such as localhost or a preview build. The agent builds your test headlessly on your own machine using the mabl Desktop App.

Let the agent build the test

The mabl agent starts building out your test in the background. Go to Agents > Tasks in the mabl app to monitor its progress. While the agent is building, you can focus on other tasks.

The agent generates test steps according to the outline, bundling them into step groups and including assertions to validate the expected behavior. For more information on how the agent generates test steps, see Agentic test authoring for web apps.

Review the generated test

When the agent finishes, the task status changes to Review and the generated test is ready. Open the task details to review the test.

If the agent can't determine the next action, it pauses with a Needs input status instead. Open task details, review the agent's question, and send a response so it can keep building.

Manual edits

If you prefer to edit the test manually, open the test in the mabl Trainer and edit test steps.

Run the test

To run your test, click on the Run test button and choose from one of the following options:

• Cloud run (recommended): execute the test from the mabl cloud and view rich diagnostic test output in the mabl app.
• Local run: execute the test from your local machine. Use this option if your app is not accessible from the public Internet and you haven’t set up your network for mabl tests.

Next steps

Depending on your current setup and what you want to accomplish, next steps could include learning more about the following:

• Building coverage:
  • Set up an application and environment
  • Agentic test authoring for web apps
  • Create reusable flows
• Networking
  • Set up your network for mabl
  • Learn more about mabl Link
• Authentication
  • Train a login for your app
  • Explore options for MFA logins
• Manual test authoring in the mabl Trainer
  • A complete self-guided lesson in mabl U
  • Adding and editing steps in the mabl Trainer
  • Interacting with your web app in the mabl Trainer
  • Use agent mode in the Trainer