cy.reload() in Cypress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does cy.reload() do in Cypress?

cy.reload() refreshes the current page in the browser during a test. It simulates the user clicking the browser's refresh button.

intermediate

How can you force cy.reload() to reload the page without using the cache?

You can pass { force: true } as an option to cy.reload() to reload the page without using the browser cache.

Example: cy.reload({ force: true })

beginner

True or False: cy.reload() can be used to test how your app behaves after a page refresh.

True. cy.reload() helps test if your app maintains state or behaves correctly after the user refreshes the page.

beginner

What happens if you call cy.reload() in the middle of a test?

The current page reloads, and Cypress waits for the page to finish loading before continuing with the next commands.

beginner

Which of these is a valid way to reload the page in Cypress?

Only cy.reload() and cy.reload({ force: true }) are valid ways to reload the page.

What does cy.reload() do in a Cypress test?

A Closes the browser

B Refreshes the current page

C Navigates to a new URL

D Clears cookies

cy.reload() refreshes the current page, similar to pressing the browser refresh button.

How do you reload a page without using the cache in Cypress?

A cy.reload(true)

B cy.reload({ cache: false })

C cy.reload({ force: true })

D cy.reload('no-cache')

Passing { force: true } forces the page to reload without cache.

When you call cy.reload(), what does Cypress do next?

A Waits for the page to finish loading

B Immediately runs the next command

C Closes the test runner

D Clears local storage

Cypress waits for the page to load fully before continuing the test.

Which of these is NOT true about cy.reload()?

A It navigates to a different URL

B It can be used to test app behavior after reload

C It can reload without cache

D It can simulate a user refreshing the page

cy.reload() refreshes the current page; it does not navigate to a new URL.

Which option correctly forces a reload without cache?

A { noCache: true }

B { clearCache: true }

C { reloadCache: false }

D { force: true }

The correct option is { force: true } to reload without cache.

Explain how cy.reload() works and when you might use it in a test.

Think about what happens when you press the browser refresh button.

Describe how to reload a page without using the cache in Cypress and why this might be useful.

Consider how browsers sometimes load old content from cache.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of cy.reload() in Cypress testing?

easy

A. To navigate to a new URL

B. To wait for an element to appear

C. To submit a form automatically

D. To refresh the current page during a test

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function of cy.reload()

   cy.reload() is used to refresh the current page in a Cypress test, simulating a browser refresh.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Options A, C, and D describe different Cypress commands unrelated to page reload.

3. Final Answer:

   To refresh the current page during a test -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   cy.reload() refreshes page = B [OK]

Hint: Remember: reload means refresh page [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing reload with navigation commands
• Thinking reload submits forms
• Assuming reload waits for elements

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to reload the page without using cache in Cypress?

easy

A. cy.reload(false)

B. cy.reload(true)

C. cy.reload(cache=false)

D. cy.reload({cache: false})

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the parameter for cy.reload()

   The method accepts a boolean parameter where true forces reload without cache.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   Only cy.reload(true) correctly uses the boolean parameter. Options C and D use incorrect syntax, and B reloads with cache.

3. Final Answer:

   cy.reload(true) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Reload without cache = cy.reload(true) [OK]

Hint: Use true inside reload() to skip cache [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using object syntax instead of boolean
• Passing false to reload without cache
• Confusing parameter names

3. Consider this Cypress test snippet:

cy.visit('/home')
cy.get('#refresh-btn').click()
cy.reload()
cy.get('.welcome-message').should('be.visible')

What is the expected behavior after cy.reload() is called?

medium

A. The page reloads and the test checks if '.welcome-message' is visible

B. The page reloads but the test fails because '.welcome-message' disappears

C. The page does not reload and the test checks the button click only

D. The test throws a syntax error at cy.reload()

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the test flow

   The test visits '/home', clicks a button, then reloads the page with cy.reload().

2. Step 2: Analyze the assertion after reload

   After reload, the test checks if '.welcome-message' is visible. Assuming the page loads correctly, this element should be visible.

3. Final Answer:

   The page reloads and the test checks if '.welcome-message' is visible -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Reload refreshes page, then check element visibility = D [OK]

Hint: Reload refreshes page; elements reappear if present [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming reload removes elements permanently
• Thinking reload causes syntax errors
• Ignoring page reload effect on elements

4. You wrote this Cypress code:

cy.reload(cache: true)

But the test fails with a syntax error. What is the problem?

medium

A. cache: true is not a valid option in Cypress

B. cy.reload() does not accept any parameters

C. Incorrect parameter syntax; should be a boolean without key

D. cy.reload() must be chained with .then()

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the parameter format for cy.reload()

   The method accepts a single boolean parameter without a key name.

2. Step 2: Identify the syntax error cause

   Using cache: true inside parentheses is invalid syntax in JavaScript function calls.

3. Final Answer:

   Incorrect parameter syntax; should be a boolean without key -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use boolean parameter only, no keys = A [OK]

Hint: Pass true or false directly, no keys [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using object syntax instead of boolean
• Thinking reload has no parameters
• Adding unnecessary chaining

5. You want to test that after reloading the page without cache, a specific cookie named 'session_id' is cleared. Which Cypress code snippet correctly achieves this?

hard

A. cy.reload(true).getCookie('session_id').should('not.exist')

B. cy.reload(false).getCookie('session_id').should('not.exist')

C. cy.reload().getCookie('session_id').should('exist')

D. cy.reload({cache: false}).getCookie('session_id').should('not.exist')

Solution

1. Step 1: Reload page without cache

   Use cy.reload(true) to force reload without cache, which can clear cookies.

2. Step 2: Check cookie existence after reload

   Use getCookie('session_id').should('not.exist') to assert the cookie is cleared.

3. Final Answer:

   cy.reload(true).getCookie('session_id').should('not.exist') -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Reload no cache + check cookie cleared = C [OK]

Hint: Use true in reload() to clear cache and cookies [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using false to reload without cache
• Expecting cookie to exist after reload without cache
• Passing object instead of boolean to reload