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How to prioritize test cases in Cucumber?

gopal@91ninjas.com gopal@91ninjas.com | Last updated: January 7, 2025 |

To prioritize test cases in Cucumber, you can control the execution order by organizing feature files and scenarios strategically and using tags to define priority levels:

  1. Tag Scenarios by Priority: Assign tags such as @High, @Medium, or @Low to scenarios based on their priority. For example:

gherkin

@High

Scenario: Verify critical functionality

Given …

When …

Then …

  1. Use Tags to Filter Execution: When running tests, use the Cucumber command-line options or configuration file to include or exclude specific tags. For example:

                                                      bash

mvn test -Dcucumber.filter.tags=”@High”

This ensures that high-priority scenarios are executed first.

  1. Order Feature Files and Step Definitions: Organize feature files with high-priority tests in a separate folder and list them first in the test runner or execution pipeline.
  2. Combine with Test Management Tools: If integrated with QA Touch or similar tools, you can assign priorities in the test management system and use the exported data to define your Cucumber execution strategy.

How to run Cucumber scenarios in order?

To run Cucumber scenarios in a specific order, you can use the following approaches:

  1. Order Scenarios in a Single Feature File: Scenarios within a feature file run sequentially, so arrange them in the desired order within the file.
  2. Use Tags to Control Execution: Assign tags to scenarios (e.g., @Priority1, @Priority2) and execute them in the desired order by specifying tags in the runner or command line:

bash

mvn test -Dcucumber.filter.tags=”@Priority1 or @Priority2″

 

  1. Custom Test Runner with Hooks: Use @Before and @After hooks in step definitions to define a specific setup or order of execution logic programmatically.
  2. Control Feature File Execution Order: Organize feature files in directories and use a test runner (e.g., JUnit or TestNG) to define the order of execution. For example:

java

@CucumberOptions(features = {

    “src/test/resources/features/HighPriority.feature”,

    “src/test/resources/features/MediumPriority.feature”

})

 

  1. Use @Order Annotation (if supported): In some testing setups, an @Order annotation can be applied to explicitly define scenario execution order.
  2. Leverage Plugins or Frameworks: Some Cucumber-compatible frameworks or plugins allow test case sorting based on metadata, such as priority or tags.

How does QA Touch enhance the execution of Cucumber scenarios?

QA Touch enhances the execution of Cucumber scenarios in a specific order by providing robust test case management features. You can assign priority levels or tags such as @High, @Medium, and @Low to your test scenarios directly within QA Touch. These tags can then be exported and mapped to your Cucumber feature files, allowing you to control execution order based on priority. QA Touch also supports integration with tools such as Jenkins, enabling automated execution pipelines that can run high-priority scenarios first. With its centralized platform for managing and prioritizing test cases, QA Touch helps the testing process to ensure that critical scenarios are executed in the desired sequence to meet project goals efficiently.