A recorded bug is not yet a regression test: what I review before running the draft

#playwright #testing

A click sequence explains what happened, but it does not automatically prove that the original bug is covered. I'm building QA Bug → Regression Test, a Chrome extension that exports recorded browser steps as a Markdown bug report and an editable Playwright TypeScript draft. Here's the review I would apply before using that draft.

1. Write down the starting state

Which user role is needed? What test records already exist? Which page should the flow start on? A recording does not recreate backend data, account permissions, or authentication state. Document those prerequisites without copying credentials into a report.

2. Check that the locator means the intended element

A selector that works once may target the wrong element when two buttons have the same name. Review the locator and any warnings or skipped steps against the original action. Don't fix ambiguity by blindly choosing the first match.

3. Assert the result that makes the bug meaningful

After a failed login, seeing a login form isn't enough if the issue is the error message. The assertion should represent the expected behavior. For example, in a test intentionally exercising invalid credentials:

await expect(
  page.getByText(
    'Epic sadface: Username and password do not match any user in this service',
    { exact: true },
  ),
).toBeVisible();

This is an illustrative assertion, not a complete login test. The setup and preceding actions still matter.

4. Replace sensitive placeholders with safe test data

A placeholder such as REPLACE_WITH_TEST_VALUE deliberately isn't the original password. Supply appropriate test data using your project's secure test-data approach. Review the report, code, and any screenshot before sharing; sensitive-data detection is incomplete.

5. Run it in the project where it will live

Check the base URL, fixtures, authentication setup, and expected result. An exported file is a starting point for review, not a passing-test guarantee. Unsupported contexts or missing setup can require manual edits.

I'd like one concrete trial

If you handle browser bug reports or use Playwright, try one non-sensitive scenario on a demo or test site:

Start a session and reproduce the issue.
Add a visibility assertion and the expected/actual result.
Stop the session and export the report or Playwright draft.
Tell me the first thing you needed to add or change before using it.

A missing prerequisite, confusing locator, or skipped action is more useful feedback than a general thumbs-up. Please don't share credentials or private application data.

Install QA Bug → Regression Test · Watch the workflow demo

I'm the developer. I'm looking for feedback on the handoff, and I haven't established that this workflow saves time for other teams.

DEV Community