Workflow sequencing in Postman

Introduction

Workflow sequencing helps you run tests in a specific order. This makes sure each step happens only after the previous one finishes successfully.

When you need to create a user before testing login.

When you want to update data only after fetching it.

When you test a multi-step process like checkout in an online store.

When one API call depends on data from a previous call.

When you want to clean up test data after all tests run.

Syntax

Postman

pm.sendRequest(request, function (err, res) {
    // handle response here
});

Use pm.sendRequest inside a test or pre-request script to call another request.

Use environment or collection variables to pass data between requests.

Examples

This sends a login request and saves the token for later requests.

Postman

pm.sendRequest({
    url: 'https://api.example.com/login',
    method: 'POST',
    header: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: { mode: 'raw', raw: JSON.stringify({ username: 'test', password: 'test' }) }
}, function (err, res) {
    pm.environment.set('token', res.json().token);
});

This creates a user and saves the user ID for the next steps.

Postman

pm.sendRequest({
    url: 'https://api.example.com/user',
    method: 'POST',
    header: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: { mode: 'raw', raw: JSON.stringify({ name: 'John' }) }
}, function (err, res) {
    pm.environment.set('userId', res.json().id);
});

Sample Program

This example shows two steps: first creating a user, then getting that user's details. The second step waits for the first to finish and uses the user ID from it.

Postman

// Step 1: Create user
pm.sendRequest({
    url: 'https://api.example.com/users',
    method: 'POST',
    header: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: { mode: 'raw', raw: JSON.stringify({ name: 'Alice' }) }
}, function (err, res) {
    if (err) {
        console.log('User creation failed');
        return;
    }
    const userId = res.json().id;
    pm.environment.set('userId', userId);
    console.log('User created with ID:', userId);

    // Step 2: Get user details
    pm.sendRequest({
        url: `https://api.example.com/users/${userId}`,
        method: 'GET'
    }, function (err2, res2) {
        if (err2) {
            console.log('Failed to get user details');
            return;
        }
        console.log('User details:', res2.json());
    });
});

Important Notes

Always check for errors in callbacks to avoid silent failures.

Use environment or collection variables to share data between requests.

Workflow sequencing helps test real user flows step-by-step.

Summary

Workflow sequencing runs requests in order, passing data between them.

Use pm.sendRequest to call requests inside scripts.

This helps test multi-step processes reliably.