# UI tests framework
A specialized UI test framework for PowerToys that makes it easy to write UI tests for PowerToys modules or settings. Let's start writing UI tests!
## Before running tests
- Install Windows Application Driver v1.2.1 from https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppDriver/releases/tag/v1.2.1 to the default directory (`C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Application Driver`)
- Enable Developer Mode in Windows settings
## Running tests
- Exit PowerToys if it's running.
- Open `PowerToys.sln` in Visual Studio and build the solution.
- Run tests in the Test Explorer (`Test > Test Explorer` or `Ctrl+E, T`).
## Running tests in pipeline
The PowerToys UI test pipeline provides flexible options for building and testing:
### Pipeline Options
- **useLatestOfficialBuild**: When checked, downloads the latest official PowerToys build and installs it for testing. This skips the full solution build and only builds UI test projects.
- **useCurrentBranchBuild**: When checked along with `useLatestOfficialBuild`, downloads the official build from the current branch instead of main.
**Default value**: `false` (downloads from main branch)
**When to use this**:
- **Default scenario**: The pipeline tests against the latest signed PowerToys build from the `main` branch, regardless of which branch your test code changes are from
- **Custom branch testing**: Only specify `true` when:
- Your branch has produced its own signed PowerToys build via the official build pipeline
- You want to test against that specific branch's PowerToys build instead of main
- You are testing PowerToys functionality changes that are only available in your branch's build
**Important notes**:
- The test pipeline itself runs from your specified branch, but by default tests against the main branch's PowerToys build
- Not all branches have signed builds available - only use this if you're certain your branch has a signed build
- If enabled but no build exists for your branch, the pipeline may fail or fall back to main
- **uiTestModules**: Specify which UI test modules to build and run. This parameter controls both the `.csproj` projects to build and the `.dll` test assemblies to execute. Examples:
- `['UITests-FancyZones']` - Only FancyZones UI tests
- `['MouseUtils.UITests']` - Only MouseUtils UI tests
- `['UITests-FancyZones', 'MouseUtils.UITests']` - Multiple specific modules
- Leave empty to build and run all UI test modules
**Important**: The `uiTestModules` parameter values must match both the test project names (for `.csproj` selection during build) and the test assembly names (for `.dll` execution during testing).
### Build Modes
1. **Official Build + Selective Testing** (`useLatestOfficialBuild = true`)
- Downloads and installs official PowerToys build
- Builds only specified UI test projects
- Runs specified UI tests against installed PowerToys
- Controlled by `uiTestModules` parameter
2. **Full Build + Testing** (`useLatestOfficialBuild = false`)
- Builds entire PowerToys solution
- Builds UI test projects (all or specific based on `uiTestModules`)
- Runs UI tests (all or specific based on `uiTestModules`)
- Uses freshly built PowerToys for testing
> **Note**: Both modes support the `uiTestModules` parameter to control which specific UI test modules to build and run.
### Pipeline Access
- Pipeline: https://microsoft.visualstudio.com/Dart/_build?definitionId=161438&_a=summary
## How to add the first UI tests for your modules
- Create a new project and add the following references to the project file. Change the OutputPath to your own module's path.
```
{4E0AE3A4-2EE0-44D7-A2D0-8769977254A0}PowerToys.Hosts.UITestsPowerToys.Hosts.UITestsfalsetrueenableLibraryfalse$(SolutionDir)$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\tests\Hosts.UITests\
```
- Inherit your test class from UITestBase.
>Set Scope: The default scope starts from the PowerToys settings UI. If you want to start from your own module, set the constructor as shown below:
>Specify Scope:
```
[TestClass]
public class HostModuleTests : UITestBase
{
public HostModuleTests()
: base(PowerToysModule.Hosts, WindowSize.Small_Vertical)
{
}
}
```
- Then you can start performing the UI operations.
**Example**
```
[TestMethod("Hosts.Basic.EmptyViewShouldWork")]
[TestCategory("Hosts File Editor #4")]
public void TestEmptyView()
{
this.CloseWarningDialog();
this.RemoveAllEntries();
// 'Add an entry' button (only show-up when list is empty) should be visible
Assert.IsTrue(this.HasOne("Add an entry"), "'Add an entry' button should be visible in the empty view");
VisualAssert.AreEqual(this.TestContext, this.Find("Entries"), "EmptyView");
// Click 'Add an entry' from empty-view for adding Host override rule
this.Find("Add an entry").Click();
this.AddEntry("192.168.0.1", "localhost", false, false);
// Should have one row now and not more empty view
Assert.IsTrue(this.Has