Postbot AI Tutorial: Expert Tips

API testing checks if your apps work well by looking at how different software parts talk to each other. Postbot is an AI helper in the Postman app that makes this job easier. It allows you to create, run, and automate API documentation and API development tests using everyday language. This all takes place in the world of AI. This blog post will teach you how to master API testing with Postbot through an early access program. You will get step-by-step guidance with real examples. Whether you are a beginner or an expert tester, this tutorial will help you make the most of Postbot’s tools for effective API testing.

What is API Testing?

API testing checks if APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, work properly. APIs allow different systems or parts to communicate. By testing them, we ensure that data is shared correctly, safely, and reliably.
In API testing, we often look at these points:

• Functionality: Is the API working as it should?
• Reliability: Can the API function properly in various situations?
• Performance: Does the API work well when the workload changes?
• Security: Does the API protect sensitive data?

2. Why Postbot for API Testing?

Postman is a popular tool for creating and testing APIs. It has an easy interface that lets users make HTTP requests and automate tests. Postbot is a feature in Postman that uses AI to assist with API testing. Testers can write their tests in plain language instead of code.
Key Benefits of Postbot:

• No coding required: You can write test cases using plain English.
• Automation: Postbot helps automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual effort.
• Beginner-friendly: It simplifies complex testing scenarios with AI-powered suggestions

3. Setting Up Postbot in Postman

Before we see some examples, let’s prepare Postbot.

Step 1: Install Postman

• Download Postman and install it from the Postman website.
• Launch Postman and sign in (if required).

Step 2: Create a New Collection

• Click on “New” and select “Collection.”
• Name your collection (e.g., “API Test Suite”).
• In the collection, include different API requests that should be tested.

Step 3: Enable Postbot

Postbot should be active by default. You can turn it on by using the shortcut keys Ctrl + Alt + P. If you cannot find it, check to see if you have the most recent version of Postman.

4. Understanding API Requests and Responses

Every API interaction has two key parts. These parts are the request and the response.

• Request: The client sends a request to the server, including the endpoint URL, method (GET, POST, etc.), headers, and body.
• Response: The server sends back a response, which includes a status code, response body, and headers.

Example: Let’s use a public API: https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users

• Method: GET
• URL: https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users

This request will return a list of users.

5. Hands-On Tutorial: API Testing with Postbot

Let’s test the GET request we talked about before using Postbot.

Step 1: Create a Request in Postman

• Click on “New” and select “Request.”
• Set the method to GET.
• Enter the URL: https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users.
• Click “Send” to execute your request. You should receive a list of users as a response

Step 2: Writing Tests with Postbot

Now that we have the response, we will create test cases with Postbot. This will help us see if the API is working correctly.

Example 1: Check the Status Code

In the “Tests” tab, write this easy command: ” Write a test to Check if the response status code is 200″

Postbot will generate the following script:

pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

Save the request and run the test.

Example 2: Validate Response Body

Add another test by instructing Postbot: “Write a test to Check if the response contains at least one user”.

Postbot will generate the test script:

Pm.test("At least one user should be in the response", function () {
Pm.expect(pm.response.json().length).to.be.greaterThan(0);
});

This script checks the response body. It looks to see if there are any users in it.

Example 3: Add other test

In the test tab, just write “Add other tests that are suggested for this request.” Postbot will make the other test scripts that are connected to the request.

pm.test("Response Content-Type is application/json", function () {
    pm.expect(pm.response.headers.get("Content-Type")).to.include("application/json");
});

pm.test("Validate the user object structure", function () {
    const responseData = pm.response.json();
   
    pm.expect(responseData).to.be.an('array');
    responseData.forEach(function(user) {
        pm.expect(user).to.be.an('object');
        pm.expect(user.id).to.exist.and.to.be.a('number');
        pm.expect(user.name).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.username).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.email).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address).to.exist.and.to.be.an('object');
        pm.expect(user.address.street).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address.suite).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address.city).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address.zipcode).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address.geo).to.exist.and.to.be.an('object');
        pm.expect(user.address.geo.lat).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.address.geo.lng).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.phone).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.website).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.company).to.exist.and.to.be.an('object');
        pm.expect(user.company.name).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.company.catchPhrase).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
        pm.expect(user.company.bs).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    });
});

pm.test("Email is in a valid format", function () {
  const responseData = pm.response.json();
 
  responseData.forEach(function(user){
    pm.expect(user.email).to.match(/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/);
  });
});

pm.test("Address has all the required fields", function () {
  const responseData = pm.response.json();
 
  pm.expect(responseData).to.be.an('array');
  responseData.forEach(function(user) {
    pm.expect(user.address).to.be.an('object');
    pm.expect(user.address.street).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    pm.expect(user.address.suite).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    pm.expect(user.address.city).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    pm.expect(user.address.zipcode).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    pm.expect(user.address.geo).to.exist.and.to.be.an('object');
    pm.expect(user.address.geo.lat).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
    pm.expect(user.address.geo.lng).to.exist.and.to.be.a('string');
  });
});

pm.test("Company details are present and not empty", function () {
  const responseData = pm.response.json();
 
  pm.expect(responseData).to.be.an('array');
  responseData.forEach(function(user) {
    pm.expect(user.company).to.exist.and.to.be.an('object');
    pm.expect(user.company.name).to.exist.and.to.have.lengthOf.at.least(1, "Company name should not be empty");
    pm.expect(user.company.catchPhrase).to.exist.and.to.have.lengthOf.at.least(1, "Company catchPhrase should not be empty");
    pm.expect(user.company.bs).to.exist.and.to.have.lengthOf.at.least(1, "Company bs should not be empty");
  });
});

Step 3: Running Automated Tests

After you add tests, you can run them immediately or set them to run on their own as part of a collection. Postman allows you to run groups of API requests one after another. This helps you automatically check several tests.

6. Advanced Capabilities of Postbot

Postbot can handle more complex situations, not just simple tasks. Here are some things it can do:
Example 1: Performance Testing
You can use Postbot to check that the API response time is fast. This will help to meet your performance needs.
Command: “Check if the response time is below 500ms.”
Generated Script:

Pm.test("The response time must be less than 500ms", function () {
Pm.expect(pm.response.responseTime).to be under 500.
});

Example 2: Validating Response Data
You can look at certain parts in the response body. For instance, you can see that the first user’s name is “Leanne Graham.”
Command: “Verify the name in the response body is ‘Leanne Graham.’”
Generated Script:

pm.test("Name is Leanne Graham", function () {
var jsonData = pm.response.json();
Pm.expect(jsonData[0].name).to.equal("Leanne Graham");
});

Example 3: Handling Edge Cases
Postbot can help make tests for different problems. It can find invalid input, data that is missing, or security issues like unauthorized access.
Command: “Ensure that when there is unauthorized access, it shows a 401 error.”
Generated Script:

pm.test("Unauthorized access", function () {
pm.response.to.have.status(401);
});

7. Best Practices for API Testing

To get the best results from API testing, use these helpful tips:

• Test for All Scenarios: Don’t just test for happy paths; include error cases and edge cases.
• Automate Test Execution: Automate tests using Postman’s collection runner or Postbot, reducing manual effort.
• Monitor Performance: Ensure your APIs are performant by validating response times.
• Use Environment Variables: Leverage environment variables in Postman to make your tests dynamic and reusable.
• Test for Security: Validate that sensitive information is protected and unauthorized access is handled appropriately.

8. Conclusion

Mastering API testing is easy. Tools like Postbot make it simple for anyone, no matter their skills. With Postbot, you can use easy, natural language commands. This allows you to write and automate tests without needing much coding knowledge.
With this easy guide, you can begin testing APIs using Postbot in Postman. Whether you want to check simple functions or deal with complex things like performance and security, Postbot can help. It is an AI-powered tool that makes API testing faster and simpler.