Testdriver:mcp Workflow

TestDriver MCP Workflow

Build automated tests by directly controlling a sandbox through MCP tools. Every action returns a screenshot AND the generated code to add to your test file.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• You have access to TestDriver MCP tools (session_start, find, click, etc.)
• User asks to "write a test", "automate this workflow", "check if X works"
• You need to build tests iteratively with visual feedback

Overview

Use MCP tools to:

• Control the sandbox directly - Click, type, scroll in real-time
• See visual feedback - Every action shows a screenshot with overlays
• Get generated code - Each successful action returns the code to add to your test file
• Build tests incrementally - Append code to test files as you go

Quick Start

1. Start a Session

session_start({ type: "chrome", url: "https://your-app.com" })

This provisions a sandbox with Chrome and navigates to your URL. You'll see a screenshot and the provision code:

Add to test file:
await testdriver.provision.chrome({ url: "https://your-app.com" });

For local development (pointing to a custom API endpoint):

session_start({ 
  type: "chrome", 
  url: "https://your-app.com",
  apiRoot: "https://your-ngrok-url.ngrok.io"
})

For self-hosted AWS instances (your own Windows EC2):

session_start({ 
  type: "chrome", 
  url: "https://your-app.com",
  os: "windows",
  ip: "1.2.3.4"  // IP from your AWS instance
})

See AWS Setup Guide to deploy your own infrastructure.

2. Interact with the App

Find elements and interact with them. Each action returns a screenshot AND generated code:

find_and_click({ description: "Sign In button" })
→ Returns: screenshot with element highlighted
→ Add to test file: await testdriver.find("Sign In button").click();

type({ text: "[email protected]" })
→ Returns: screenshot showing typed text
→ Add to test file: await testdriver.type("[email protected]");

3. Check If Actions Succeeded

After performing actions, use check to verify they worked:

check({ task: "Was the text entered into the field?" })
→ Returns: AI analysis of whether the task completed, with screenshot

check({ task: "Did the button click navigate to a new page?" })
→ Returns: AI compares previous screenshot to current state

4. Make Assertions (for Test Files)

Use assert for boolean pass/fail conditions that get recorded in test files:

assert({ assertion: "the login form is visible" })
→ Returns: pass/fail with screenshot
→ Add to test file:
   const assertResult = await testdriver.assert("the login form is visible");
   expect(assertResult).toBeTruthy();

5. Write the Test File

As you perform actions, append the generated code to your test file:

/**
 * Login Flow test
 */
import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
import { TestDriver } from "testdriverai/lib/vitest/hooks.mjs";

describe("Login Flow", () => {
  it("should complete login", async (context) => {
    const testdriver = TestDriver(context);

    // Append generated code here as you go:
    await testdriver.provision.chrome({ url: "https://app.example.com" });
    await testdriver.find("email input field").click();
    await testdriver.type("[email protected]");
    // ... more code as you perform actions
  });
});

6. Verify the Test

Run the test from scratch to validate it works:

verify({ testFile: "tests/login.test.mjs" })

Tools Reference

Session Management

| Tool | Description |

|------|-------------|

| session_start | Start sandbox with browser/app, returns screenshot + provision code |

| session_status | Check session health and time remaining |

| session_extend | Add more time before session expires |

Element Interaction

Each tool returns a screenshot AND the generated code to add to your test file.

| Tool | Description |

|------|-------------|

| find | Locate element by description, returns ref for later use |

| click | Click on element ref |

| find_and_click | Find and click in one action |

| type | Type text into focused field |

| press_keys | Press keyboard shortcuts (e.g., ["ctrl", "a"]) |

| scroll | Scroll page (up/down/left/right) |

Verification & Display

| Tool | Description |

|------|-------------|

| check | For AI to understand screen state. Analyzes current screen and tells you (the AI) whether a task/condition is met. Use this after actions to verify they worked. |

| assert | AI-powered boolean assertion for test files (pass/fail for CI). Returns generated code. |

| screenshot | For showing the user the screen. Captures and displays a screenshot. Does NOT return analysis to you (the AI). |

| exec | Execute JavaScript, shell, or PowerShell in sandbox. Returns generated code. |

Test Validation

| Tool | Description |

|------|-------------|

| verify | Run test file from scratch to validate it works |

Visual Feedback

Every tool returns a screenshot showing:

• Element highlights - Blue box around found elements
• Click markers - Red dot with ripple effect at click location
• Scroll indicators - Arrow showing scroll direction
• Action status - Success/failure with duration
• Session info - Time remaining before expiry

Workflow Best Practices

1. Work Incrementally

Don't try to build the entire test at once:

# Step 1: Get to login page
session_start({ url: "https://app.com" })
→ Add to test: await testdriver.provision.chrome({ url: "https://app.com" });

# Step 2: Verify you're on the right page
check({ task: "Is this the login page?" })

# Step 3: Fill in email
find_and_click({ description: "email input field" })
→ Add to test: await testdriver.find("email input field").click();

type({ text: "[email protected]" })
→ Add to test: await testdriver.type("[email protected]");

# Step 4: Check if email was entered
check({ task: "Was the email entered correctly?" })

# Step 5: Continue with password...

2. Use Check After Actions

After each action, use check to verify it worked:

find_and_click({ description: "Submit button" })
check({ task: "Was the form submitted?" })

The check tool compares the previous screenshot (from before your action) with the current state, giving you AI analysis of what changed and whether the action succeeded.

3. Understanding Screen State

For AI understanding: Use check to analyze the screen:

check({ task: "Did the form submit successfully?" })
→ Returns AI analysis you can read and understand

For user visibility: Use screenshot to show the user:

screenshot()
→ Displays to user, no analysis returned to you

Action tools (find, click, find_and_click) return screenshots automatically, which the user can see. But if you need to understand the state, use check.

4. Handle Timing Issues

If elements take time to appear, use find with timeout:

find({ description: "Loading complete indicator", timeout: 30000 })

5. Check Session Time

Sessions expire after 5 minutes by default. Use session_status to check time remaining and session_extend to add more time:

session_status()
→ "Time remaining: 45s"

session_extend({ additionalMs: 60000 })
→ "New expiry: 105s"

6. Write Code as You Go

After each successful action, append the generated code to your test file. This ensures you don't lose progress and makes the test easier to debug.

Error Recovery

Element Not Found

If find fails:

• Check the screenshot to see what's actually on screen
• Adjust the element description to be more specific
• Wait for page load with timeout: find({ description: "...", timeout: 10000 })
• Scroll to find off-screen elements: scroll({ direction: "down" })

Session Expired

If the session expires:

• session_start again with the same URL
• Run the test with verify to get back to last state
• Continue from where you left off

Test Verification Fails

If verify fails:

• Check the error message and screenshot
• Review the test file to see the generated code
• Start a new session and manually test the failing step
• Adjust element descriptions or add waits as needed

Dependencies

When creating a new test project, use these exact dependencies:

package.json:

{
  "type": "module",
  "devDependencies": {
    "testdriverai": "canary",
    "vitest": "^4.0.0"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "test": "vitest"
  }
}

Important: The package is testdriverai (NOT @testdriverai/sdk). Always install from the canary tag.

Test File Format

Create test files using this standard format. Append generated code inside the test function:

/**
 * Login Flow test
 */
import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
import { TestDriver } from "testdriverai/lib/vitest/hooks.mjs";

describe("Login Flow", () => {
  it("should complete Login Flow", async (context) => {
    const testdriver = TestDriver(context);

    // Append generated code from each action here:
    await testdriver.provision.chrome({ url: "https://app.example.com" });
    
    await testdriver.find("email input field").click();
    await testdriver.type("[email protected]");
    
    await testdriver.find("password field").click();
    await testdriver.type("secret123");
    
    await testdriver.find("Sign In button").click();
    
    const assertResult = await testdriver.assert("dashboard is visible");
    expect(assertResult).toBeTruthy();
  });
});

Self-Hosted AWS Instances

You can use your own AWS-hosted Windows instances instead of TestDriver cloud. This gives you:

• Flat license fee - No device-second metering
• Your own AI keys - Use your OpenAI/Anthropic keys
• Custom configuration - Install custom software, configure networking
• Full debugging access - RDP into instances

Quick Setup

• Deploy AWS infrastructure using CloudFormation

• Spawn an instance:

   AWS_REGION=us-east-2 \
   AMI_ID=ami-0504bf50fad62f312 \
   AWS_LAUNCH_TEMPLATE_ID=lt-xxx \
   bash setup/aws/spawn-runner.sh

Output: PUBLIC_IP=1.2.3.4

• Connect via session_start:

   session_start({
     type: "chrome",
     url: "https://example.com",
     os: "windows",
     ip: "1.2.3.4"
   })

• Terminate when done:

   aws ec2 terminate-instances --instance-ids i-xxx --region us-east-2

Environment Variable

You can also set TD_IP environment variable in your MCP config instead of passing ip to each session:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "testdriver": {
      "env": {
        "TD_API_KEY": "your-key",
        "TD_IP": "1.2.3.4"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tips

• Every action returns generated code - Look for "Add to test file:" in responses and append that code

• Use check to understand the screen - This is how you (the AI) see and analyze the current state

• Use screenshot to show the user - This displays the screen to the user, but does NOT return analysis to you

• Use check after every action - Verify your actions succeeded before moving on

• Be specific with element descriptions - "the blue Sign In button in the header" is better than "button"

• Use check for verification, assert for test files - check gives detailed AI analysis, assert gives boolean pass/fail for CI

• Write code incrementally - Append generated code to your test file after each successful action

• Extend session proactively - If you have complex workflows, extend before you run out of time