Browser testing with Dusk in Laravel

Introduction

Browser testing with Dusk helps you check if your website works correctly by simulating real user actions in a browser.

You want to make sure buttons and links on your website work as expected.

You need to test user login and registration flows automatically.

You want to check if forms submit and show correct results.

You want to catch bugs before users find them by testing in a real browser.

You want to automate repetitive manual testing tasks.

Syntax

Laravel

use Laravel\Dusk\Browser;
use Tests\DuskTestCase;

class ExampleTest extends DuskTestCase
{
    public function testBasicExample()
    {
        $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
            $browser->visit('/')
                    ->assertSee('Laravel');
        });
    }
}

Tests extend DuskTestCase to use browser features.

The browse method runs browser actions inside a closure.

Examples

This test fills in login form and checks if redirected to home page.

Laravel

public function testLogin()
{
    $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
        $browser->visit('/login')
                ->type('email', '[e-mail]')
                ->type('password', 'secret')
                ->press('Login')
                ->assertPathIs('/home');
    });
}

This test clicks a link and checks if the new page shows expected text.

Laravel

public function testClickLink()
{
    $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
        $browser->visit('/')
                ->clickLink('About Us')
                ->assertSee('Our Story');
    });
}

Sample Program

This simple Dusk test opens the home page and checks if the text "Welcome to Laravel" is visible.

Laravel

<?php

namespace Tests\Browser;

use Laravel\Dusk\Browser;
use Tests\DuskTestCase;

class HomePageTest extends DuskTestCase
{
    public function testHomePageLoads()
    {
        $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
            $browser->visit('/')
                    ->assertSee('Welcome to Laravel');
        });
    }
}

Important Notes

Make sure to run php artisan dusk:install once to set up Dusk.

Run tests with php artisan dusk to see browser actions live.

Dusk uses ChromeDriver, so Chrome must be installed on your machine.

Summary

Dusk lets you test your website by controlling a real browser automatically.

Write tests to visit pages, fill forms, click buttons, and check results.

Run tests to catch problems early and keep your site working well.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of Laravel Dusk in web development?

easy

A. To optimize website images for faster loading

B. To automate browser testing by simulating user actions

C. To generate API documentation

D. To create database migrations automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Laravel Dusk's role

   Laravel Dusk is designed to automate browser testing by controlling a real browser to simulate user actions like clicking and typing.

2. Step 2: Compare options with Dusk's purpose

   Options A, B, and C relate to optimization, database, and documentation, which are unrelated to browser testing.

3. Final Answer:

   To automate browser testing by simulating user actions -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Browser automation = To automate browser testing by simulating user actions [OK]

Hint: Remember: Dusk controls browsers to test user actions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Dusk with database tools
• Thinking Dusk generates documentation
• Assuming Dusk optimizes assets

2. Which of the following is the correct way to start a browser test with Laravel Dusk?

easy

A. $browser->navigate('/home')->expectText('Welcome');

B. $browser->open('/home')->checkText('Welcome');

C. $browser->goTo('/home')->verifyText('Welcome');

D. $browser->visit('/home')->assertSee('Welcome');

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Laravel Dusk syntax for visiting pages

   The correct method to visit a page is visit(), and to check text is assertSee().

2. Step 2: Identify correct method names

   Options B, C, and D use incorrect method names like open(), goTo(), and navigate(), which do not exist in Dusk.

3. Final Answer:

   $browser->visit('/home')->assertSee('Welcome'); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use visit() and assertSee() in Dusk [OK]

Hint: Use visit() to open page and assertSee() to check text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like open() or goTo()
• Confusing assertSee() with verifyText()
• Mixing up method chaining order

3. Given the following Dusk test code, what will be the result?

$browser->visit('/login')
        ->type('email', '[e-mail]')
        ->type('password', 'secret')
        ->press('Login')
        ->assertPathIs('/dashboard');

medium

A. The test will pass if login redirects to /dashboard

B. The test will fail because type() cannot fill inputs

C. The test will throw a syntax error

D. The test will pass even if the path is not /dashboard

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the test steps

   The test visits the login page, fills email and password fields, presses the Login button, then checks if the browser path is /dashboard.

2. Step 2: Understand Dusk behavior

   The type() method fills inputs correctly, and assertPathIs() verifies the current URL path. If login redirects to /dashboard, the test passes.

3. Final Answer:

   The test will pass if login redirects to /dashboard -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct input and path check = The test will pass if login redirects to /dashboard [OK]

Hint: type() fills inputs; assertPathIs() checks URL path [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking type() cannot fill inputs
• Assuming assertPathIs() ignores path
• Confusing syntax errors with runtime failures

4. Identify the error in this Dusk test code snippet:

$browser->visit('/profile')
        ->type('name', 'John Doe')
        ->click('Save')
        ->assertSee('Profile updated');

medium

A. The method click() should be press() to click buttons

B. The type() method cannot fill text inputs

C. assertSee() cannot check text on the page

D. visit() method requires a full URL, not a path

Solution

1. Step 1: Review Dusk methods for clicking buttons

   In Laravel Dusk, to click a button by its text, the correct method is press(), not click().

2. Step 2: Validate other methods

   type() fills inputs, assertSee() checks text, and visit() accepts paths, so these are correct.

3. Final Answer:

   The method click() should be press() to click buttons -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use press() for buttons, not click() [OK]

Hint: Use press() to click buttons, not click() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using click() instead of press() for buttons
• Thinking type() can't fill inputs
• Believing visit() needs full URL

5. You want to test a form that has a dropdown with options 'Red', 'Green', and 'Blue'. Which Dusk method correctly selects 'Green' before submitting the form?

hard

A. $browser->pick('color', 'Green')->press('Submit');

B. $browser->choose('color', 'Green')->press('Submit');

C. $browser->select('color', 'Green')->press('Submit');

D. $browser->set('color', 'Green')->press('Submit');

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the method to select dropdown options in Dusk

   The correct method to select an option from a dropdown is select().

2. Step 2: Verify other options are invalid

   Methods like choose(), pick(), and set() do not exist or are incorrect for dropdown selection in Dusk.

3. Final Answer:

   $browser->select('color', 'Green')->press('Submit'); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use select() for dropdowns in Dusk [OK]

Hint: Use select() to pick dropdown options before pressing buttons [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using choose() or pick() instead of select()
• Trying to set dropdown value with set()
• Forgetting to press the submit button