BaseUrl in Cypress: Streamlining Your End-to-End Tests

What is `baseUrl`?

In Cypress, `baseUrl` is a configuration setting that acts as the cornerstone for your application under test (AUT). It serves as the root URL, automatically prepended to all `cy.visit()` and `cy.request()` commands that use relative URLs. This simplifies test writing and enhances maintainability by keeping your test scripts concise and organized.

 Why Set a `baseUrl`?

There are several compelling reasons to leverage `baseUrl` in your Cypress endeavors:

1. Enhanced Readability: By prepending `baseUrl` to relative URLs in your tests, you promote conciseness and clarity. Tests become easier to understand, maintain, and modify.

2. Environment Flexibility: Setting `baseUrl` empowers you to effortlessly run tests against various environments, be it development, staging, or production. Simply adjust the configuration value to switch environments, streamlining your testing process across different stages.

3. Faster Test Startup: During test execution, Cypress typically opens on `https://localhost` with a random port. Defining `baseUrl` eliminates this unnecessary step, potentially leading to faster test startup times.

How to Set `baseUrl`

1. Locate or Create the Cypress Configuration File:

The configuration file, usually named `cypress.config.js` or `cypress.config.ts`, resides in your project's root directory. If it's missing, create one using a text editor.

2. Update the Configuration:

Open the configuration file and add the following code snippet:

  import { defineConfig } from 'cypress';

   export default defineConfig({
       e2e: {
           baseUrl: 'YourURL',
       },
   });

Important: Replace `'YourURL'` with the actual base URL of your AUT.

 Anti-Pattern: Not Setting a `baseUrl`

A common mistake is using `cy.visit()` with hardcoded URLs, like this:

// ❌ Don’t use

cy.visit(Cypress.config('baseUrl') + '/home');

This approach is redundant and counteracts the benefits of setting a `baseUrl`. Instead, leverage the `baseUrl` to streamline your tests.

Best Practice: Setting a `baseUrl` in Cypress Configuration

Here’s how to set a `baseUrl` in your `cypress.config.ts`:

import { defineConfig } from 'cypress';

export default defineConfig({
  e2e: {
    baseUrl: 'YourURL',
  },
});

Utilizing `baseUrl`

With `baseUrl` set, you can now simplify your test commands:

// ✅ Use

cy.visit('/login');

This not only makes your tests more readable but also enables easy switching between different environments. For example, switching between a development server (`http://localhost:8080`) and a production server can be done without changing the test code.

Enhancing Flexibility with Environment-Specific Configuration

To further enhance the flexibility of your tests, you can configure environment-specific URLs. Here’s an example of a more dynamic configuration setup:

import { defineConfig } from 'cypress';

export default defineConfig({
    e2e: {
        setupNodeEvents(on, config) {
            const version = config.env.version || 'uat';

            const urls = {
                local: 'http://localhost:8080',
                uat: 'http://uat.websitelink.com',
                prd: 'http://prd.websitelink.com',
            };

            config.baseUrl = urls[version];

            return config;
        },
    },
});

 Advantages of Setting a `baseUrl`

1. Flexibility: Easily switch between different environments (development, staging, production) without altering the test scripts.

2. Maintainability: Reduce redundancy and potential errors in your test scripts by avoiding hardcoded URLs.

3. Efficiency: Save time during test initialization as Cypress knows the URL of the app being tested right from the start.

Conclusion

Setting a `baseUrl` in Cypress configuration is a best practice that simplifies your test scripts, makes them more flexible, and enhances maintainability. By following the examples and guidelines provided, you can ensure your Cypress tests are efficient and adaptable to various environments, ultimately improving the quality and reliability of your automated testing efforts.