Debugging Tests Using Cypress GUI

When it comes to front-end testing, Cypress has gained a strong reputation for its intuitive and developer-friendly tooling. One of its most powerful features is the Cypress GUI (Graphical User Interface), which enables developers and QA testers to debug tests visually. Unlike traditional testing frameworks that run in the background or through a terminal, Cypress offers a real-time, interactive interface that makes debugging fast, visual, and less frustrating.


In this blog, we’ll explore how to debug tests using the Cypress GUI effectively, its key features, and best practices to troubleshoot failed tests.


🔍 What is the Cypress GUI?

The Cypress GUI, also known as the Test Runner, is a browser-based interface that shows the test execution in real time. When you run npx cypress open, it launches the Cypress Test Runner, where you can:

Select test files

See the browser open with your application loaded

View each test step and its outcome

Explore DOM snapshots at each step

This real-time feedback is a game-changer when compared to traditional, terminal-only testing approaches.


🧪 Why Debug with Cypress GUI?

Live Preview: See your app as the test runs, just like a user would.

Step-by-Step Playback: Hover over test steps to view the state of the DOM.

Automatic Screenshots and Video (optional): Great for CI/CD and team collaboration.

Developer Tools Access: Use Chrome DevTools directly within the Cypress-controlled browser.


🛠️ How to Debug Tests Using the Cypress GUI

1. Launching the Test Runner

Start by running the following command in your project directory:

bash

npx cypress open

This opens the Cypress GUI. Select your desired test file from the list, and Cypress will launch a browser window to begin test execution.


2. Watching Test Execution

Cypress shows a command log on the left panel, while the right panel shows the application under test. As each command executes (visit, click, type, etc.), you can:

Click on any command to see the DOM snapshot at that point.

Check assertion results, error messages, and actual vs expected outcomes.

Expand logs for deep error information.


3. Using debug() and pause()

You can insert debug() to trigger the browser’s DevTools or cy.pause() to pause the test mid-execution:


javascript


cy.get('#submit-button').debug().click();

cy.pause(); // Manually continue from GUI

These commands are useful for pinpointing issues at exact steps.


4. Using .should() and Assertions

Failing assertions are shown in red in the command log, with detailed messages. Use this information to understand why the test is failing — whether due to incorrect element selection, async issues, or unexpected values.


5. Inspecting Elements with DevTools

Since Cypress runs in a real browser (e.g., Chrome), you can right-click and inspect elements just like during manual testing. This helps troubleshoot CSS issues, missing elements, or dynamic content loading problems.


💡 Best Practices for Debugging with Cypress GUI

Use descriptive test messages to make failures easy to trace.

Isolate failing tests using .only() for focused debugging.

Avoid unnecessary waits — rely on built-in retry mechanisms instead.

Combine with console logs using cy.log() for added insight.

Use Cypress Studio (if enabled) for record-and-replay debugging.


✅ Conclusion

The Cypress GUI empowers testers and developers with a clear, interactive way to understand how and why a test fails. Its visual nature, combined with detailed logs and DevTools integration, makes debugging both accessible and efficient. Whether you're writing your first test or troubleshooting a flaky one, the Cypress GUI is your best friend in ensuring a smooth, reliable front-end testing experience.

 Learn Cypress Training

Read More: Interacting with DOM Elements in Cypress
Read More: Working with Cypress Commands: cy.get(), cy.visit(), and More
Read More: Writing Assertions in Cypress


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