cy.get() with CSS selectors in Cypress

Introduction

We use cy.get() to find elements on a web page so we can test them. CSS selectors help us pick exactly the right elements.

When you want to click a button on a page during a test.

When you need to check if a specific text box is visible.

When you want to verify that a list contains certain items.

When you want to fill out a form field by selecting it.

When you want to check the style or class of an element.

Syntax

Cypress

cy.get('css-selector')

The css-selector is a string that tells Cypress which element(s) to find.

You can use any valid CSS selector like class, id, attribute, or element type.

Examples

Selects the element with the id submit-button.

Cypress

cy.get('#submit-button')

Selects all elements with the class nav-item.

Cypress

cy.get('.nav-item')

Selects the input element with the attribute name equal to email.

Cypress

cy.get('input[name="email"]')

Selects all button elements with the class primary.

Cypress

cy.get('button.primary')

Sample Program

This test visits a login page, finds the email and password fields by their CSS selectors, types in values, clicks the submit button, and checks if a welcome message appears.

Cypress

describe('Login form test', () => {
  it('should find and type email', () => {
    cy.visit('https://example.com/login')
    cy.get('input#email').type('[e-mail]')
    cy.get('input#password').type('password123')
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click()
    cy.get('.welcome-message').should('be.visible')
  })
})

Important Notes

Always use unique and stable CSS selectors to avoid flaky tests.

Use IDs when possible because they are fast and unique.

You can chain cy.get() with other commands like .click(), .type(), and .should().

Summary

cy.get() finds elements using CSS selectors.

Use simple and clear CSS selectors for reliable tests.

Combine cy.get() with actions and assertions to test web pages.

Practice

1. What does cy.get() do in Cypress testing?

easy

A. Starts the Cypress test runner

B. Clicks on a button automatically

C. Runs JavaScript code inside the browser

D. Finds elements on the page using CSS selectors

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of cy.get()

   cy.get() is used to locate elements on the web page by using CSS selectors.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other Cypress commands

   Other commands like clicking or running code are separate; cy.get() only finds elements.

3. Final Answer:

   Finds elements on the page using CSS selectors -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   cy.get() = Finds elements [OK]

Hint: Remember: cy.get() locates elements by CSS selectors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking cy.get() clicks elements
• Confusing cy.get() with running scripts
• Assuming cy.get() starts tests

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to select an element with class btn-primary using cy.get()?

easy

A. cy.get('#btn-primary')

B. cy.get('btn-primary')

C. cy.get('.btn-primary')

D. cy.get('button .btn-primary')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand CSS selector for class

   In CSS, a class selector uses a dot before the class name, so .btn-primary selects elements with that class.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   cy.get('#btn-primary') uses an ID selector (#), which is wrong here. cy.get('btn-primary') misses the dot, so it looks for a tag named 'btn-primary'. cy.get('button .btn-primary') incorrectly uses a descendant selector (space after button), selecting buttons containing .btn-primary elements.

3. Final Answer:

   cy.get('.btn-primary') -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Class selector = .classname [OK]

Hint: Use dot (.) before class names in CSS selectors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using # instead of . for classes
• Omitting the dot before class name
• Confusing tag selectors with class selectors

3. Given the HTML snippet:

<ul>
  <li class='item'>Apple</li>
  <li class='item'>Banana</li>
  <li class='item'>Cherry</li>
</ul>

What will cy.get('.item').should('have.length', 3) check?

medium

A. That there are exactly 3 elements with class 'item'

B. That the first element with class 'item' contains '3'

C. That the list has 3 child elements regardless of class

D. That the page has 3 lists

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand cy.get('.item')

   This selects all elements with the class 'item', which are the three <li> elements.

2. Step 2: Understand .should('have.length', 3)

   This asserts that the number of selected elements is exactly 3.

3. Final Answer:

   That there are exactly 3 elements with class 'item' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   cy.get('.item').length = 3 [OK]

Hint: '.should(have.length, n)' checks number of matched elements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it checks content inside elements
• Confusing child count with class count
• Assuming it checks number of lists

4. You wrote cy.get('button#submit').click() but the test fails with "Cannot find element" error. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The button does not have an ID 'submit'

B. The selector should be cy.get('#submit button')

C. You must use cy.find() instead of cy.get()

D. The click() command is not supported on buttons

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the selector button#submit

   This selector looks for a <button> element with ID 'submit'. If the button does not have this ID, it won't be found.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   The selector should be cy.get('#submit button') reverses the selector incorrectly. You must use cy.find() instead of cy.get() is wrong because cy.get() is correct for global selection. The click() command is not supported on buttons is false; click() works on buttons.

3. Final Answer:

   The button does not have an ID 'submit' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Selector must match element attributes [OK]

Hint: Verify element attributes match your selector exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong selector syntax
• Assuming click() doesn't work on buttons
• Confusing cy.get() with cy.find()

5. You want to select the second <li> element inside a <ul id='menu'>. Which cy.get() selector is correct?

hard

A. cy.get('ul#menu li[2]')

B. cy.get('#menu li:nth-child(2)')

C. cy.get('#menu li:eq(2)')

D. cy.get('ul#menu > li:nth-type(2)')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand CSS nth-child selector

   li:nth-child(2) selects the second child <li> element inside its parent.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   cy.get('ul#menu li[2]') uses invalid attribute selector. cy.get('#menu li:eq(2)') uses jQuery syntax not supported in CSS selectors. cy.get('ul#menu > li:nth-type(2)') uses invalid 'nth-type(2)' selector.

3. Final Answer:

   cy.get('#menu li:nth-child(2)') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use nth-child(n) to select nth element [OK]

Hint: Use :nth-child(n) to pick the nth child element [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using jQuery :eq() in CSS selectors
• Using attribute selectors incorrectly
• Confusing nth-child with nth-of-type