Child commands in Cypress

Introduction

Child commands help you find elements inside other elements on a web page. This makes tests more precise and easier to read.

When you want to check a button inside a specific form.

When you need to find a list item inside a certain list.

When you want to test a link inside a navigation menu.

When you want to limit your search to a part of the page to avoid confusion.

When you want to chain commands to make your test steps clear.

Syntax

Cypress

cy.get('parentSelector').find('childSelector')

cy.get() finds the parent element first.

.find() looks for child elements inside the parent.

Examples

Finds all buttons inside the form element.

Cypress

cy.get('form').find('button')

Finds all links inside the element with id 'menu'.

Cypress

cy.get('#menu').find('a')

Checks that the list has exactly 3 list items inside.

Cypress

cy.get('.list').find('li').should('have.length', 3)

Sample Program

This test visits a page, finds a button inside a form with class 'action-form', clicks it, and then checks the button has the class 'btn'.

Cypress

describe('Child commands example', () => {
  it('finds a button inside a form and clicks it', () => {
    cy.visit('https://example.cypress.io/commands/actions')
    cy.get('.action-form').find('button').click()
    cy.get('.action-form').find('button').should('have.class', 'btn')
  })
})

Important Notes

Always use specific selectors to avoid selecting wrong elements.

Child commands help keep tests organized and reduce errors.

Summary

Child commands find elements inside other elements.

Use .find() after cy.get() to locate children.

This makes tests clearer and more reliable.

Practice

1. What does the .find() command do in Cypress testing?

easy

A. It clicks on an element.

B. It types text into an input field.

C. It waits for a page to load.

D. It locates child elements inside a parent element.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of .find()

   The .find() command is used to search for elements inside another element, meaning it looks for child elements.

2. Step 2: Compare with other commands

   Commands like .click(), .type(), and .wait() perform actions or wait, but do not locate child elements.

3. Final Answer:

   It locates child elements inside a parent element. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   .find() locates children = B [OK]

Hint: Remember: .find() searches inside a parent element [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing .find() with .click() or .type()
• Thinking .find() waits for elements
• Using .find() without a parent element

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to find a button inside a div with class container using Cypress?

easy

A. cy.get('.container').find('button')

B. cy.find('.container').get('button')

C. cy.get('button').find('.container')

D. cy.find('button').get('.container')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand chaining commands in Cypress

   First, cy.get() selects the parent element. Then, .find() locates child elements inside it.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   cy.get('.container').find('button') correctly uses cy.get('.container') to select the parent, then .find('button') to find the child button. Other options misuse the order or commands.

3. Final Answer:

   cy.get('.container').find('button') -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Parent first with get(), then child with find() = A [OK]

Hint: Use cy.get() first, then .find() for child elements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping .get() and .find() order
• Using .find() without cy.get() first
• Selecting child before parent

3. What will the following Cypress code select?

cy.get('ul.menu').find('li.active').should('have.length', 2)

medium

A. It selects all li elements inside ul.menu with class active and checks there are 2.

B. It selects 2 ul elements with class menu.

C. It clicks on the first li.active element.

D. It types '2' into the ul.menu element.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the selector chain

   cy.get('ul.menu') selects the ul element with class menu. Then .find('li.active') finds li children with class active.

2. Step 2: Understand the assertion

   .should('have.length', 2) asserts that exactly 2 such li.active elements exist inside the ul.menu.

3. Final Answer:

   It selects all li elements inside ul.menu with class active and checks there are 2. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Find children with class and check count = A [OK]

Hint: Find children, then assert count with .should('have.length') [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing parent and child selectors
• Thinking it clicks or types instead of asserting
• Misreading the assertion purpose

4. Identify the error in this Cypress code snippet:

cy.find('.list').get('li').should('have.length', 3)

medium

A. There is no error; the code is correct.

B. The selector '.list' is invalid.

C. The order of commands is incorrect; .get() should come before .find().

D. The assertion .should('have.length', 3) is not valid.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check command order

   cy.find() is not a valid starting command. cy.get() must be used first to select the parent element.

2. Step 2: Correct usage

   The correct order is cy.get('.list').find('li') to find li children inside the element with class list.

3. Final Answer:

   The order of commands is incorrect; .get() should come before .find(). -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use cy.get() first, then .find() = D [OK]

Hint: Always start with cy.get() before .find() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting with .find() instead of cy.get()
• Assuming .find() works alone
• Ignoring command chaining rules

5. You want to verify that a form with id login contains exactly 3 input fields that are visible. Which Cypress code correctly uses child commands to do this?

hard

A. cy.find('#login').get('input:visible').should('have.length', 3)

B. cy.get('#login').find('input:visible').should('have.length', 3)

C. cy.get('#login').find('input').should('have.length', 3).and('be.visible')

D. cy.get('input:visible').find('#login').should('have.length', 3)

Solution

1. Step 1: Select the parent form element

   Use cy.get('#login') to select the form with id 'login'.

2. Step 2: Find visible input children and assert count

   Use .find('input:visible') to get visible input fields inside the form, then assert there are exactly 3 with .should('have.length', 3).

3. Final Answer:

   cy.get('#login').find('input:visible').should('have.length', 3) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Parent get(), then find visible inputs, then check length = C [OK]

Hint: Chain get() then find(':visible') before asserting length [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using .find() before cy.get()
• Checking visibility after length assertion
• Incorrect selector order