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Karate Framework for Simplified API Test Automation

by Rajesh K | Apr 5, 2025 | API Testing, Blog, Latest Post | 22 comments

API testing is a crucial component of modern software development, as it ensures that backend services and integrations function correctly, reliably, and securely. With the increasing complexity of distributed systems and microservices, validating API responses, performance, and behavior has become more important than ever. The Karate framework simplifies this process by offering a powerful and user-friendly platform that brings together API testing, automation, and assertions in a single framework. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to set up and use Karate for API testing step by step. From installation to writing and executing your first test case, this guide is designed to help you get started with confidence. Whether you’re a beginner exploring API automation or an experienced tester looking for a simpler and more efficient framework, Karate provides the tools you need to build robust and maintainable API test automation.

What is the Karate Framework?

Karate is an open-source testing framework designed for API testing, API automation, and even UI testing. Unlike traditional tools that require extensive coding or complex scripting, Karate simplifies test creation by using a domain-specific language (DSL) based on Cucumber’s Gherkin syntax. This makes it easy for both developers and non-technical testers to write and execute test cases effortlessly.

With Karate, you can define API tests in plain-text (.feature) files, reducing the learning curve while ensuring readability and maintainability. It offers built-in assertions, data-driven testing, and seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, making it a powerful choice for teams looking to streamline their automation efforts with minimal setup.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, ensure you have the following:

• Java Development Kit (JDK): Version 8 or higher installed (Karate runs on Java).
• Maven: A build tool to manage dependencies (we’ll use it in this tutorial).
• An IDE: IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or VS Code.
• A sample API: We’ll use the free Reqres for testing.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Set Up Your Project

1. Create a New Maven Project

• If you’re using an IDE like IntelliJ, select “New Project” > “Maven” and click “Next.”
• Set the GroupId (e.g., org.example) and ArtifactId (e.g., KarateTutorial).

2. Configure the pom.xml File

Open your pom.xml and add the Karate dependency. Here’s a basic setup:

<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
 xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/maven-v4_0_0.xsd">
 <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
 <groupId>org.example</groupId>
 <artifactId>KarateTutorial</artifactId>
 <version>1.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
 <name>Archetype - KarateTutorial</name>
 <url>http://maven.apache.org</url>




<properties>
 <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
 <maven.compiler.target>1.8</maven.compiler.target>
 <karate.version>1.4.1</karate.version>
</properties>


<dependencies>
 <dependency>
   <groupId>com.intuit.karate</groupId>
   <artifactId>karate-junit5</artifactId>
   <version>${karate.version}</version>
   <scope>test</scope>
 </dependency>
</dependencies>


<build>
 <testResources>
   <testResource>
     <directory>src/test/java</directory>
     <includes>
       <include>**/*.feature</include>
     </includes>
   </testResource>
 </testResources>
 <plugins>
   <plugin>
     <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
     <artifactId>maven-surefire-plugin</artifactId>
     <version>3.0.0-M5</version>
   </plugin>
 </plugins>
</build>
</project>

• This setup includes Karate with JUnit 5 integration and ensures that .feature files are recognized as test resources.

Sync the Project

• In your IDE, click “Reload Project” (Maven) to download the dependencies. If you’re using the command line, run mvn clean install.

Step 2: Create Your First Karate Test

1. Set Up the Directory Structure

• Inside src/test/java, create a folder called tests (e.g., src/test/java/tests).
• This is where we’ll store our .feature files.

2. Write a Simple Test

• Create a file named api_test.feature inside the tests folder.
• Add the following content:

Feature: Testing Reqres API with Karate


 Background:
   * url 'https://reqres.in'


 Scenario: Get a list of users
   Given path '/api/users?page=1'
   When method GET
   Then status 200
   And match response.page == 1
   And match response.per_page == 6
   And match response.total == 12
   And match response.total_pages == 2

Explanation:

• Feature: Describes the purpose of the test file.
• Scenario: A single test case.
• Given url: Sets the API endpoint.
• When method GET: Sends a GET request.
• Then status 200: Verifies the response status is 200 (OK).
• And match response.page == 1: Checks that the page value is equal to 1.

Step 3: Run the Test

1. Create a Test Runner

• In src/test/java/tests, create a Java file named ApiTestRunner.java:

package tests;


import com.intuit.karate.junit5.Karate;


class ApiTestRunner {
   @Karate.Test
   Karate testAll() {
       return Karate.run("api_test").relativeTo(getClass());
   }
}

• This runner tells Karate to execute the api_test.feature file.

Before Execution make sure the test folder looks like this.

2. Execute the Test

• Right-click ApiTestRunner.java and select “Run.”

You should see a report indicating the test passed, along with logs of the request and response.

Step 4: Expand Your Test Cases

Let’s add more scenarios to test different API functionalities.

1. Update api_test.feature

Replace the content with:

Feature: Testing Reqres API with Karate


 Background:

   * url 'https://reqres.in'


 Scenario: Get a list of users

   Given path '/api/users?page=1'

   When method GET

   Then status 200

   And match response.page == 1

   And match response.per_page == 6

   And match response.total == 12

   And match response.total_pages == 2


 Scenario: Get a single user by ID

   Given path '/api/users/2'

   When method GET

   Then status 200

   And match response.data.id == 2

   And match response.data.email == "[email protected]"

   And match response.data.first_name == "Janet"

   And match response.data.last_name == "Weaver"


 Scenario: Create a new post

   Given path 'api/users'

   And request {"name": "morpheus","job": "leader"}

   When method POST

   Then status 201

   And match response.name == "morpheus"

   And match response.job == "leader"

Explanation:

• Background: Defines a common setup (base URL) for all scenarios.
• First scenario: Tests GET request for a list of users.
• Second scenario: Tests GET request for a specific user.
• Third scenario: Tests POST request to create a resource.

Run the Updated Tests

• Use the same ApiTestRunner.java to execute the tests. You’ll see results for all three scenarios.

Step 5: Generate Reports

Karate automatically generates HTML reports.

1. Find the Report

• After running tests, check target/surefire-reports/karate-summary.html in your project folder.

• Open it in a browser to see a detailed summary of your test results.

Conclusion

Karate is a powerful yet simple framework that makes API automation accessible for both beginners and experienced testers. In this tutorial, we covered the essentials of API testing with Karate, including setting up a project, writing test cases, running tests, and generating reports. Unlike traditional API testing tools, Karate’s Gherkin-based syntax, built-in assertions, parallel execution, and seamless CI/CD integration allow teams to automate tests efficiently without extensive coding. Its data-driven testing and cross-functional capabilities make it an ideal choice for modern API automation. At Codoid, we specialize in API testing, UI automation, performance testing, and test automation consulting, helping businesses streamline their testing processes using tools like Karate, Selenium, and Cypress. Looking to optimize your API automation strategy? Codoid provides expert solutions to ensure seamless software quality—reach out to us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Bruno API Automation: A Comprehensive Guide

by Hannah Rivera | Mar 17, 2025 | API Testing, Blog, Latest Post | 4 comments

The demand for robust and efficient API testing tools has never been higher. Teams are constantly seeking solutions that not only streamline their testing workflows but also integrate seamlessly with their existing development pipelines. Enter Bruno, a modern, open-source API client purpose-built for API testing and automation. Bruno distinguishes itself from traditional tools like Postman by offering a lightweight, local-first approach that prioritizes speed, security, and developer-friendly workflows. Designed to suit both individual testers and collaborative teams, Bruno brings simplicity and power to API automation by combining an intuitive interface with advanced features such as version control integration, JavaScript-based scripting, and command-line execution capabilities.

Unlike cloud-dependent platforms, Bruno emphasizes local-first architecture, meaning API collections and configurations are stored directly on your machine. This approach ensures data security and faster performance, enabling developers to easily sync test cases via Git or other version control systems. Additionally, Bruno offers flexible environment management and dynamic scripting to allow teams to build complex automated API workflows with minimal overhead. Bruno stands out as a compelling solution for organizations striving to modernize their API testing process and integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines. This guide explores Bruno’s setup, test case creation, scripting capabilities, environment configuration, and how it can enhance your API automation strategy.

Before you deep dive into API automation testing, we recommend checking out our detailed blog, which will give you valuable insights into how Bruno can optimize your API testing workflow.

Setting Up Bruno for API Automation

In the following sections, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get Bruno up and running for your API automation needs — from installation to creating your first automated test cases, configuring environment variables, and executing tests via CLI.

Whether you’re automating GET or POST requests, adding custom JavaScript assertions, or managing multiple environments, this guide will show you exactly how to harness Bruno’s capabilities to build a streamlined and efficient API testing workflow.

Install Bruno

• Download Bruno from its official site (bruno.io) or GitHub repository, depending on your OS.
• Follow the installation prompts to set up the tool on your computer.

Creating a Test Case Directory

Begin by launching the Bruno application and setting up a directory for storing test cases.

• 1. Run the Bruno application.
• 2. Create a COLLECTION named Testcase.
• 3. Select the project folder you created as the directory for this COLLECTION.

Writing and Executing Test Cases in Bruno

1. Creating a GET Request Test Case

• Click the ADD REQUEST button under the Testcase COLLECTION.
• Set the request type to GET.
• Name the request GetDemo and set the URL to:

https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1

2. Adding Test Assertions Using Built-in Assert

• Click the Assert button under the GetDemo request.
• Add the following assertions:
• Response status code equals 200.
• The title in the response body contains “provident.”



• Click Run in the upper right corner to execute the assertions.



3. Writing Test Assertions Using JavaScript

• Click the Tests button under GetDemo.
• Add the following assertions:
• Response status code equals 201.
• The title in the response body equals “foo.”
• Add the following script:



• Click Run to verify the assertions.

4. Creating a POST Request Test Case

• Click ADD REQUEST under the Testcase COLLECTION.
• Set the request type to POST.
• Name the request PostDemo and set the URL to:

https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts

• Click Body and enter the following JSON data:

5. Adding Test Assertions Using Built-in Assert

• Click the Assert button under PostDemo.
• Add the following assertions:
• Response status code equals 201.
• The title in the response body equals “foo.”



• Click Run to execute the assertions.

6. Writing Test Assertions Using JavaScript

• Click Tests under PostDemo.
• Add the following script:
test("res.status should be 201", function() {
 const data = res.getBody();
 expect(res.getStatus()).to.equal(201);
});
test("res.body should be correct", function() {
 const data = res.getBody();
 expect(data.title).to.equal('foo');
});

• Click Run to validate assertions.

Executing Two Test Cases Locally

• Click the Run button under the Testcase COLLECTION to execute all test cases.
• Check and validate whether the results match the expected outcomes.

Configuring Environment Variables in Bruno for API Testing

When running API test cases in different environments, modifying request addresses manually for each test case can be tedious, especially when dealing with multiple test cases. Bruno, an API testing tool, simplifies this by providing environment variables, allowing us to configure request addresses dynamically. This way, instead of modifying each test case, we can simply switch environments.

Creating Environment Variable Configuration Files in Bruno

Follow these steps to set up environment variables in Bruno:

1. Open the Environment Configuration Page:

• Click the Environments button under the Testcase COLLECTION to access the environment settings.

2. Create a New Environment:

• Click ADD ENVIRONMENT in the top-right corner.
• Enter a name for the environment (e.g., dev) and click SAVE to create the configuration file.

3. Add an Environment Variable:

• Select the newly created environment (dev) to open its configuration page.
• Click ADD VARIABLE in the top-right corner.
• Enter the variable name as host and set the value to https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com.
• Click SAVE to apply the changes.

Using Environment Variables in Test Cases

Instead of hardcoding URLs in test cases, use {{host}} as a placeholder. Bruno will automatically replace it with the configured value from the selected environment, making it easy to switch between different testing environments.

By utilizing environment variables, you can streamline your API testing workflow, reducing manual effort and enhancing maintainability.

Using Environment Variables in Test Cases

Once environment variables are configured in Bruno, we can use them in test cases instead of hardcoding request addresses. This makes it easier to switch between different testing environments without modifying individual test cases.

Modifying Test Cases to Use Environment Variables

1. Update the GetDemo Request:

• Click the GetDemo request under the Testcase COLLECTION to open its editing page.
• Modify the request address to {{host}}/posts/1.
• Click SAVE to apply the changes.

2. Update the PostDemo Request:

• Click the PostDemo request under the Testcase COLLECTION to open its editing page.
• Modify the request address to {{host}}/posts.
• Click SAVE to apply the changes.

Debugging Environment Variables

• Click the Environments button under the Testcase COLLECTION and select the dev environment.
• Click the RUN button in the top-right corner to execute all test cases.
• Verify that the test results meet expectations.

Conclusion

Bruno is a lightweight and powerful tool designed for automating API testing with ease. Its local-first approach, Git-friendly structure, JavaScript-based scripting, and environment management make it ideal for building fast, secure, and reliable API tests. While Bruno streamlines automation, partnering with Codoid can help you take it further. As experts in API automation, Codoid provides end-to-end solutions to help you design, implement, and scale efficient testing frameworks integrated with your CI/CD pipelines. Reach out to Codoid today to enhance your API automation strategy and accelerate your software delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

API Monitoring Guide: Optimize Performance & Ensure Reliability

by Chris Adams | Mar 10, 2025 | API Testing, Blog, Latest Post | 32 comments

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) play a crucial role in enabling seamless communication between different systems, applications, and services. From web and mobile applications to cloud-based solutions, businesses rely heavily on APIs to deliver a smooth and efficient user experience. However, with this growing dependence comes the need for continuous monitoring to ensure APIs function optimally at all times. API monitoring is the process of tracking API performance, availability, and reliability in real-time, while API testing verifies that APIs function correctly, return expected responses, and meet performance benchmarks. Together, they ensure that APIs work as expected, respond within acceptable timeframes, and do not experience unexpected downtime or failures. Without proper monitoring and testing, even minor API failures can lead to service disruptions, frustrated users, and revenue losses. By proactively keeping an eye on API performance, businesses can ensure that their applications run smoothly, enhance user satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge.

In this blog, we will explore the key aspects of API monitoring, its benefits, and best practices for keeping APIs reliable and high-performing. Whether you’re a developer, product manager, or business owner, understanding the significance of API monitoring is essential for delivering a top-notch digital experience.

Why API Monitoring is Important

• Detects Downtime Early: Alerts teams when an API is down or experiencing issues.
• Improves Performance: Helps identify slow response times or bottlenecks.
• Ensures Reliability: Monitors API endpoints to maintain a seamless experience for users.
• Enhances Security: Detects unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts.
• Optimizes Third-Party API Usage: Ensures external APIs used in applications are functioning correctly.

Types of API Monitoring

• Availability Monitoring: Checks if the API is online and accessible.
• Performance Monitoring: Measures response times, latency, and throughput.
• Functional Monitoring: Tests API endpoints to ensure they return correct responses.
• Security Monitoring: Detects vulnerabilities, unauthorized access, and potential attacks.
• Synthetic Monitoring: Simulates user behavior to test API responses under different conditions.
• Real User Monitoring (RUM): Tracks actual user interactions with the API in real-time.

Now that we’ve covered the types of API monitoring, let’s set it up using Postman. In the next section, we’ll go through the steps to configure test scripts, automate checks, and set up alerts for smooth API monitoring.

Set Up API Monitoring in Postman – A Step-by-Step Guide

Postman provides built-in API monitoring to help developers and testers track API performance, uptime, and response times. By automating API checks at scheduled intervals, Postman ensures that APIs remain functional, fast, and reliable.

Follow this step-by-step guide to set up API monitoring in Postman.

Step 1: Create a Postman Collection

A collection is a group of API requests that you want to monitor.

How to Create a Collection:

1. Open Postman and click on the “Collections” tab in the left sidebar.

2. Click “New Collection” and name it (e.g., “API Monitoring”).

3. Click “Add a request” and enter the API URL you want to monitor (e.g., https://api.example.com/users).

4. Select the request method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.).

5. Click “Save” to store the request inside the collection.

Example:

• If you are monitoring a weather API, you might create a GET request like: https://api.weather.com/v1/location/{city}/forecas
• If you want to get single user from the list: https://reqres.in/api/users/2

Step 2: Add API Tests to Validate Responses

Postman allows you to write test scripts in JavaScript to validate API responses.

How to Add API Tests in Postman:

1. Open your saved API request from the collection.

2. Click on the “Tests” tab.

3. Enter the following test scripts to check API response time, status codes, and data validation.

Example Test Script:

// Check if API response time is under 500ms
pm.test("Response time is within limit", function () {
    pm.expect(pm.response.responseTime).to.be.below(500);
});

// Ensure the response returns HTTP 200 status
pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

// Validate that the response body contains specific data
pm.test("Response contains expected data", function () {
    var jsonData = pm.response.json();
    //pm.expect(jsonData.city).to.eql("New York");
     pm.expect(jsonData.data.first_name).to.eql("Janet");

});

4. Click “Save” to apply the tests to the request.

What These Tests Do:

• Response time check– Ensures API response is fast.
• Status code validation– Confirms API returns 200 OK.
• Data validation– Checks if the API response contains expected values.

Step 3: Configure Postman Monitor

Postman Monitors allow you to run API tests at scheduled intervals to check API health and performance.

How to Set Up a Monitor in Postman:

1. Click on the “Monitors” tab on the left sidebar.

2. Click “Create a Monitor” and select the collection you created earlier.

3. Set the monitoring frequency (e.g., every 5 minutes, hourly, or daily).

• Set the monitoring frequency (e.g., Every day, 12 AM , or daily).

4. Choose a region for monitoring (e.g., US East, Europe, Asia) to check API performance from different locations.

5. Click “Create Monitor” to start tracking API behavior.

Example: A company that operates globally might set up monitors to run every 10 minutes from different locations to detect regional API performance issues.

Step 4: Set Up Alerts for API Failures

To ensure quick response to API failures, Postman allows real-time notifications via email, Slack, and other integrations.

How to Set Up Alerts:

1. Open the Monitor settings in Postman.

2. Enable email notifications for failed tests.

3. Integrate Postman with Slack, Microsoft Teams, or PagerDuty for real-time alerts.

4. Use Postman Webhooks to send alerts to other monitoring systems.

Example: A fintech company might configure Slack alerts to notify developers immediately if their payment API fails.

Step 5: View API Monitoring Reports & Logs

Postman provides detailed execution history and logs to help you analyze API performance over time.

How to View Reports in Postman:

1. Click on the “Monitors” tab.

2. Select your API monitor to view logs.

3. Analyze:

• Success vs. failure rate of API calls.
• Average response time trends over time.
• Location-based API performance (if different regions were configured).

4. Export logs for debugging or reporting.

Example: A retail company might analyze logs to detect slow API response times during peak shopping hours and optimize their backend services.

Implementing API Monitoring Strategies

Implementing an effective API monitoring strategy involves setting up tools, defining key metrics, and ensuring proactive issue detection and resolution. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Define API Monitoring Goals

Before implementing API monitoring, clarify the objectives:

• Ensure high availability (uptime monitoring).
• Improve performance (latency tracking).
• Validate functionality (response correctness).
• Detect security threats (unauthorized access or data leaks).
• Monitor third-party API dependencies (SLA compliance).

2. Identify Key API Metrics to Monitor

Track important API performance indicators, such as:

Availability Metrics

• Uptime/Downtime (Percentage of time API is available)
• Error Rate (5xx, 4xx errors)

Performance Metrics

• Response Time (Latency in milliseconds)
• Throughput (Requests per second)
• Rate Limiting Issues (Throttling by API providers)

Functional Metrics

• Payload Validation (Ensuring expected response structure)
• Endpoint Coverage (Monitoring all critical API endpoints)

Security Metrics

• Unauthorized Access Attempts
• Data Breach Indicators (Unusual data retrieval patterns)

3. Implement Different Types of Monitoring

A. Real-Time Monitoring

• Continuously check API health and trigger alerts if it fails.
• Use tools like Prometheus + Grafana for real-time metrics.

B. Synthetic API Testing

• Simulate real-world API calls and verify responses.
• Use Postman or Runscope to automate synthetic tests.

C. Log Analysis & Error Tracking

• Collect API logs and analyze patterns for failures.
• Use ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) or Datadog.

D. Load & Stress Testing

• Simulate heavy traffic to ensure APIs can handle peak loads.
• Use JMeter or k6 to test API scalability.

4. Set Up Automated Alerts & Notifications

• Use Slack, PagerDuty, or email alerts for incident notifications.
• Define thresholds (e.g., response time > 500ms, error rate > 2%).
• Use Prometheus AlertManager or Datadog Alerts for automation.

5. Integrate with CI/CD Pipelines

• Add API tests in Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI/CD.
• Run functional and performance tests during deployments.
• Prevent faulty API updates from going live.

6. Ensure API Security & Compliance

• Implement Rate Limiting & Authentication Checks.
• Monitor API for malicious requests (SQL injection, XSS, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations.

7. Regularly Review and Optimize Monitoring

• Conduct monthly API performance reviews.
• Adjust alert thresholds based on historical trends.
• Improve monitoring coverage for new API endpoints.

Conclusion

API monitoring helps prevent issues before they impact users. By using the right tools and strategies, businesses can minimize downtime, improve efficiency, and provide seamless digital experiences. To achieve robust API monitoring, expert guidance can make a significant difference. Codoid, a leading software testing company, provides comprehensive API testing and monitoring solutions, ensuring APIs function optimally under various conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

API Testing with Playwright: A Comprehensive Guide

by Chris Adams | Mar 2, 2025 | API Testing, Blog, Latest Post | 0 comments

Playwright is widely known for browser automation, it also offers powerful features for API testing, making it a versatile tool for end-to-end testing. By using Playwright, testers can efficiently validate API endpoints, perform authentication checks, and seamlessly integrate API tests with UI tests to ensure consistent functionality across the entire application. API testing with Playwright allows for the testing of various HTTP methods, including GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests, enabling comprehensive validation of data flow and business logic. Additionally, Playwright supports handling complex authentication scenarios, such as token-based and OAuth authentication. This guide will explain why Playwright is an excellent choice for API testing, how to set it up and provide detailed examples of requests, authentication handling, and best practices for effective and efficient API testing.

Basics of API Testing

API testing checks if different software systems can communicate and exchange data correctly. It ensures functionality, security, and performance while being faster and easier to automate than UI testing. Unlike UI testing, which focuses on visual elements, API testing verifies the backend logic using requests like GET and POST. It also differs from unit testing, which tests individual functions, and integration testing, which checks how system parts work together.

Why Choose Playwright for API Testing?

API testing is a crucial aspect of software testing, ensuring that backend services function correctly before integrating them with the UI. Several tools are available for API testing, each offering unique features suited to different testing needs:

• Postman – A widely used API testing tool with a graphical interface for sending requests and validating responses.
• RestAssured – A Java-based API testing framework commonly used for automated API validation.
• SoapUI – A dedicated tool for testing SOAP and REST APIs, offering advanced features for functional and security testing.
• SuperTest – A JavaScript library designed for testing HTTP APIs, particularly useful in Node.js applications.
• Cypress – Primarily a UI testing framework that also includes basic API testing capabilities.

Then why should we use Playwright for API testing? It allows users to make API requests, validate responses, and integrate API checks within automated test scripts. It provides features like APIRequestContext for direct API interactions, built-in authentication handling, and cross-browser support, making it a versatile option for teams looking to perform both API and UI testing within the same environment. Like other tools, Playwright offers a structured approach to API testing, enabling efficient validation of backend services. Now let’s take a deeper look at all the key features.

Key Features of Playwright That Enhance API Testing

1. Built-in APIRequestContext for Simplified API Testing

Playwright provides APIRequestContext, allowing testers to make API calls directly within test scripts without needing external libraries like Axios or SuperTest.

Example: GET Request with Playwright

import { test, expect, request } from '@playwright/test';

test('Validate GET request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1');
    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);

    const responseBody = await response.json();
    expect(responseBody.id).toBe(1);
});

Why Playwright? Unlike Postman (which is UI-based) and RestAssured (which requires Java), Playwright allows API requests directly within the test automation framework with minimal setup.

2. Seamless Integration of API & UI Testing

Unlike Postman, RestAssured, and SoapUI, which focus only on API testing, Playwright enables UI and API tests to run in the same framework. This is useful for:

• Setting up test data via API before UI tests.
• Validating API responses against UI elements.
• Testing UI interactions that trigger API calls.

Example: API and UI Test Together

test('Create user via API and validate on UI', async ({ page, request }) => {
    const response = await request.post('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users', {
        data: { name: 'John Doe', email: '[email protected]' }
    });

    expect(response.status()).toBe(201);
    const user = await response.json();

    await page.goto('https://example.com/users');
    const userExists = await page.locator(`text=${user.name}`).isVisible();
    expect(userExists).toBeTruthy();
});

3. JavaScript/TypeScript Support for Modern Development

Playwright is built for JavaScript and TypeScript, making it ideal for teams using modern web frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js.

Comparison with Other Tools:

Why Playwright? Teams using JavaScript for frontend development can now write API tests in the same language, improving efficiency and collaboration.

4. Cross-Browser & Cross-Platform API Testing

Unlike most API testing tools that only test API responses, Playwright supports cross-browser validation, ensuring that API responses work correctly with different browsers.

Example: API Test Across Browsers

import { test, expect, request } from '@playwright/test';

test('Validate API response in different browsers', async ({ browser }) => {
    const context = await browser.newContext();
    const request = context.request;
    const response = await request.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1');
    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);
});

Why Playwright?

• Postman, RestAssured, and SoapUI cannot test how APIs behave across different browsers.
• Playwright ensures API + UI compatibility across Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit (Safari).

5. CI/CD Integration for Automated API Testing

Playwright works seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, allowing automated API testing in:

• Jenkins
• GitHub Actions
• GitLab CI/CD

Example: Running Playwright API Tests in GitHub Actions

name: Playwright API Tests
on: push

jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm install
      
      - name: Run API Tests
        run: npx playwright test api-tests

Why Playwright? Unlike Postman, which requires Newman for automation, Playwright runs API tests directly in CI/CD pipelines without additional setup.

Guide to Writing tour First API Test with Playwright

To get started with API Testing with Playwright, install Playwright using npm:

npm init -y
npm install @playwright/test

Ensure that Playwright is installed by running:

npx playwright install

Writing Your First API Test with Playwright

You can use APIRequestContext to interact with APIs. Below is a simple GET request example:

import { test, expect, request } from '@playwright/test';

test('Validate GET request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1');
    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);

    const responseBody = await response.json();
    expect(responseBody.id).toBe(1);
});

Breaking Down the Code:

• Import Playwright functions: test, expect, and request are used for API testing.
• Make a GET request: request.get() fetches data from the API.
• Validate the response status: Ensures the request was successful (200 OK).
• Parse and validate response body: Converts the response to JSON and checks if the expected data is returned.

Making Different API Requests

1. POST Request (Creating a Resource)

test('Validate POST request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.post('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts', {
        data: {
            title: 'Playwright API Test',
            body: 'This is a test post',
            userId: 1
        }
    });

    expect(response.status()).toBe(201);
    const responseBody = await response.json();
    expect(responseBody.title).toBe('Playwright API Test');
});

• Sends a POST request to create a new resource.
• Validates response status (201 Created) to confirm successful creation.
• Ensures response data matches the expected values.

2. PUT Request (Updating a Resource)

test('Validate PUT request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.put('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1', {
        data: {
            id: 1,
            title: 'Updated Title',
            body: 'Updated content',
            userId: 1
        }
    });

    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);
    const responseBody = await response.json();
    expect(responseBody.title).toBe('Updated Title');
});

• Sends a PUT request to update an existing resource.
• Validates status code (200 OK) for successful updates.
• Confirms that the updated title matches the expected value.

3. DELETE Request (Removing a Resource)

test('Validate DELETE request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.delete('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1');
    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);
});

• Sends a DELETE request to remove an existing resource.
• Checks if the API returns a successful deletion status (200 OK or 204 No Content).

Handling Authentication in API Testing

For APIs requiring authentication, Playwright supports passing headers and cookies for authorization.

test('Validate Authenticated Request', async ({ request }) => {
    const response = await request.get('https://example.com/protected', {
        headers: {
            Authorization: 'Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'
        }
    });

    expect(response.status()).toBe(200);
});

• Includes Authorization Header: Uses a Bearer token for authentication.
• Validates Authentication: Ensures the API allows access (200 OK).

Best Practices for API Testing with Playwright

To ensure efficient and maintainable API testing with Playwright, it is important to follow structured practices that enhance test reliability, performance, and organization. By properly structuring test suites, managing dependencies, and optimizing execution, teams can achieve faster, more scalable, and maintainable API tests. Below are some key best practices to maximize efficiency:

• Use Fixtures – Helps maintain test reusability and efficiency by providing a structured way to set up and share test data across multiple tests.
• Validate Response Schema – Use schema validation tools like Ajv to ensure API responses follow the expected structure, reducing inconsistencies.
• Use Environment Variables – Store API URLs, authentication tokens, and sensitive data securely using environment variables to enhance security and flexibility.
• Enable Logging – Capture and log API responses to debug test failures efficiently, making troubleshooting easier.
• Run Tests in Parallel – Speed up execution using Playwright’s parallel test execution feature, optimizing test suite performance.

Conclusion

As seen in our blog, Playwright is a powerful tool for both UI automation and API testing, offering seamless integration of API and UI tests within a single framework. With features like built-in request handling, authentication management, parallel execution, and cross-browser compatibility, it simplifies API testing while improving efficiency and reliability. By using Playwright, teams can reduce execution time, automate authentication, organize test suites efficiently, and improve debugging with logging and structured test cases.

For businesses looking to enhance their API testing strategy, Codoid, a leader in software testing services, provides expert API automation solutions. With extensive experience in Playwright, Selenium, and other frameworks, Codoid helps organizations optimize testing processes, improve test coverage, and ensure smooth digital experiences. By adopting Playwright and partnering with Codoid, teams can build a scalable, efficient, and future-ready test automation strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Test WebSockets?

by Charlotte Johnson | Jan 30, 2025 | API Testing, Blog, Latest Post | 0 comments

Have you ever wanted quick updates on a website? For example, viewing live game scores or watching stock prices update without pressing “refresh”? That’s where WebSockets come into play. They are great for enabling real-time communication between a client and a server. Imagine you’re having a conversation with a friend. You could do so by sending letters back and forth, which is like the usual “request and response” method. But it would be much better if you opened a live phone line, allowing instant conversation. WebSockets work like this. WebSockets allow for continuous and smooth communication, making them ideal for live chats, multiplayer games, and even teamwork apps like Google Docs. If you’re wondering how to test WebSockets, various tools and techniques ensure their reliability, performance, and security.

If you are asking, “Why should I care?”—here’s the answer: For users, WebSockets make our online experiences faster and more engaging. For developers, they make real-time communication easier. And we as testers have to ensure bidirectional communication without any issues. In this blog, we’ll be going through the step-by-step process to achieve that. But before we get started, let’s take a look at how WebSockets actually work.

How WebSockets Work

So let’s go back to the same example of a conversation with a friend over the phone to understand how WebSockets work. It begins with a simple Hello and once both parties are connected in the open line, the two-way communication begins and finally ends with a Goodbye.

The Handshake (Saying Hello):

• It begins with a simple “hello” using HTTP. The browser asks the server, “Can we switch to WebSockets?”
• If the server agrees, they “upgrade” the connection. It is no longer just HTTP; now it is a WebSocket!

Always Connected (The Open Line):

• Unlike regular communication that starts and stops with each message, WebSockets keep the line open. It’s like having a special phone line.
• This allows you to send your next request without waiting for the server to respond.

Two-Way Chat (Full Duplex Communication):

• WebSockets let both the client (like your browser or app) and the server send messages to each other at the same time.
• For instance, you can type a message in a chat app while you get real-time updates from your friend.

Good Messaging (No Repeated Calls):

• With WebSockets, data moves well because there is already a connection. This cuts down the work of starting new requests all the time.
• It’s like staying on the phone rather than calling the same number again and again.

Closing the Connection (Goodbye):

• Once the conversation is over, either person can close the WebSocket connection, just like ending a phone call.

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How to Test WebSockets: An Overview

Testing WebSockets can feel hard at first. This is because they involve real-time, two-way communication. However, with the right method, it gets easier and can be quite satisfying. Let’s go through the basics of testing WebSockets, one step at a time.

1. Start with a Clear Plan

• Understand the Flow: Know how the WebSocket connection works in your app. What starts the connection? What messages are sent and received?
• Define Scenarios: Include both common and edge cases:
• What happens if the connection does not work?
• How does the system deal with high traffic?

2. Use WebSocket Testing Tools

• Browser Developer Tools: Open your browser’s development tools and go to the Network tab. Look for “WS” (WebSocket) connections.



• You can view the messages sent and received in real-time.
• Dedicated Tools:Tools such as Postman or WebSocket Echo allow you to send and receive WebSocket messages.
• Automated Testing Tools: You can use libraries like Socket.IO Test Client or WebSocketTestClient to create automated tests.

3. Test Connection Lifecycle

• Connection Establishment: See if the WebSocket connection starts properly after the HTTP handshake.
• Message Exchange: Make sure the right messages are sent and received in real-time.
• Connection Termination: Confirm the connection closes smoothly when needed.

4. Focus on Performance

• Load Testing: Use tools like JMeter or Artillery to see if your server can handle several users at once.
• Latency: Measure how fast messages go in and out under different conditions.

5. Handle Error Scenarios

• Unexpected Disconnections: Check what happens when the connection drops. Does it try again or stop?
• Malformed Messages: Send wrong data formats and watch how the system handles them.

6. Test Security

• Data Encryption: Make sure messages are encrypted with wss:// (secure WebSocket).
• Authentication: Check that only approved clients can connect.

Step-by-Step Guide to Testing WebSockets in Postman

Now that we have an overview of how to test WebSockets, let’s go a step further and see how to use Postman for your testing. As mentioned earlier, there are various tools we can use and for this blog, we have chosen Postman as it is one of the most popular tools. Additionally, it does simplify the testing process which might seem hard at first. If you are new to this, just follow these steps to begin. We will make sure your WebSocket communication works well.

1. Set Up Postman for WebSockets

• Open Postman and click the + New Tab button to start a new request.
• In the request type dropdown (the default is HTTP), choose WebSocket Request. This changes the interface to WebSocket testing mode.

2. Enter the WebSocket URL

• In the URL field, type the WebSocket address.
• For non-secure WebSocket connections, write ws://example.com/socket. For secure ones, use wss://example.com/socket.
• Click Connect to start the connection.

3. Verify the Connection

• Once you connect, you will see a message that says, “Connected to ws://example.com/socket.”
• If you cannot connect, look at the URL or your settings. Some servers need you to sign in or use certain headers to connect.

4. Send a Test Message

• In the message input box, type a message in JSON or regular text format. This will depend on how your WebSocket works.
• For example: { “action”: “subscribe”, “topic”: “updates” }
• Click Send to share the message.

5. Observe the Response

• Look at the response area to see what the server sends back.
• Example: { “status”: “success”, “message”: “Subscribed to updates” }
• This step makes sure the server is working well and replying to your messages.



6. Test Multiple Scenarios

• Valid Messages: Send different kinds of messages that work well to see if the server handles them correctly.



• Invalid Messages: Try sending wrong or badly formed data to check how the server responds.



7. Monitor Real-Time Updates

• If the server sends updates automatically, watch the response panel to ensure updates arrive as expected.
• For instance, a stock price WebSocket might stream prices like { “symbol”: “AAPL”, “price”: 150.25 }.

8. Handle Authentication

• If authentication is required, include headers or tokens in the initial WebSocket handshake.
• Use Postman’s Headers tab to add fields like Authorization: Bearer .

9. Debug and Retest

• If anything doesn’t work as expected:
• Double-check your WebSocket endpoint and payload.
• Consult the server documentation for required message formats.
• Use Postman’s console (Ctrl + Alt + C) to view detailed logs.

10. Save Your Requests for Reuse

• Save your WebSocket request in a collection for easy access later.
• This helps if you need to test the same endpoint regularly or share it with your team.

Testing WebSockets on Postman is a great way to check if your apps are reliable and responsive. Feel free to try new things and learn along the way.

Each message you send and every reply you get helps improve your understanding. This builds stronger WebSocket connections.

Related Blogs

Postman API Automation Testing Tutorial

Postman vs Bruno: A Detailed Comparison

Conclusion

WebSockets have revolutionized real-time communication on the web, enabling seamless, bidirectional interactions without the latency of traditional HTTP requests. Whether you’re building a live chat, stock ticker, or multiplayer game, understanding and testing WebSockets is crucial to ensuring reliability and efficiency.

By following best practices, leveraging powerful testing tools like Postman, and handling potential pitfalls such as disconnections and security concerns, developers can create robust and scalable WebSocket implementations.

Embracing WebSockets can enhance user experiences and drive engagement by making applications more dynamic and responsive. So, start testing today and unlock the full potential of WebSockets in your projects!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the main advantage of WebSockets over traditional HTTP?

  WebSockets enable continuous, real-time, two-way communication between the client and server, eliminating the need for repeated HTTP requests and reducing latency.

• Are WebSockets secure?

  Yes, when implemented with wss:// (WebSocket Secure), WebSockets encrypt the communication, making them secure against eavesdropping and attacks.

• How do I check if a WebSocket connection is active?

  You can monitor the ready state property in JavaScript, where 1 (OPEN) indicates an active connection. Additionally, WebSocket messages and pings can confirm activity.
  

• What happens if a WebSocket connection drops?

  Depending on the implementation, WebSockets can auto-reconnect, or developers may need to implement retry logic to handle disconnections gracefully.
  

• Can WebSockets replace REST APIs?

  Not always. WebSockets are best for real-time applications, while REST APIs are more suited for standard, request-response interactions.