cypress-core

name	cypress-core
description	Battle-tested Cypress patterns for E2E, API, component, visual, accessibility, and security testing. Covers selectors, assertions, hooks, intercepts, auth flows, debugging, and framework recipes for React, Next.js, Vue, and Angular.
metadata	{"author":"jovd83","version":"1.0","dispatcher-category":"testing","dispatcher-capabilities":"ui-automation, cypress-core, cypress-implementation","dispatcher-accepted-intents":"implement_ui_confirmation_test, debug_cypress_test, review_cypress_test","dispatcher-input-artifacts":"repo_context, requirements, failing_ui_scenario, existing_cypress_suite","dispatcher-output-artifacts":"cypress_test, implementation_guidance, fix_plan","dispatcher-stack-tags":"cypress, ui-testing, implementation","dispatcher-risk":"high","dispatcher-writes-files":true}

Telemetry & Logging

[!IMPORTANT] All usage of this skill must be logged via the Skill Dispatcher to ensure audit logs and wallboard analytics are accurate: ./log-dispatch.cmd --skill <skill_name> --intent <intent> --model <model_name> --reason <reason> (or ./log-dispatch.sh on Linux)

Cypress Core Testing

Opinionated, production-tested Cypress guidance with explicit "when to use" and "when not to use" rules.

46 reference guides covering selectors, assertions, waiting, data setup, auth, network control, accessibility, component tests, visual checks, and debugging.

Golden Rules

1. Use semantic locators first: prefer findByRole/findByLabelText over brittle CSS chains.
2. Do not use arbitrary sleeps: avoid cy.wait(2000) for synchronization.
3. Use retryable assertions: cy.get(...).should(...) is the default stability model.
4. Keep tests isolated: no shared mutable state or order dependencies.
5. Use baseUrl and environment config: avoid hardcoded URLs.
6. Use cy.intercept() for external dependencies: avoid mocking your app internals.
7. Use cy.session() for repeat auth flows: cache login safely for speed.
8. Avoid { force: true } as a habit: fix actionability or UI state first.
9. Assert user-facing feedback for mutations: validate toasts, banners, and state changes.
10. Capture artifacts in CI: screenshots/videos on failure are mandatory for triage.

Official References

• Cypress best practices: https://docs.cypress.io/guides/references/best-practices

Version Compatibility

Dependency	Supported range	Why it matters
Cypress	>=13.0.0	Core guides rely on Cypress retryability and cy.session() patterns from v13+.
Node.js (by Cypress major)	Cypress 13-14: >=18; Cypress 15+: 20.x, 22.x, >=24.x	Running unsupported Node versions causes install/runtime failures.
TypeScript (optional)	Cypress <=14: >=4; Cypress 15+: >=5	Needed for typed config, commands, and examples in TS projects.
@testing-library/cypress	10.x	Enables semantic query examples such as findByRole.

Guide Index

Writing Tests

What you're doing	Guide	Deep dive
Choosing selectors	locators.md	locator-strategy.md
Assertions & waiting	assertions-and-waiting.md
Organizing test suites	test-organization.md	test-architecture.md
Cypress config	configuration.md
Fixtures & hooks	fixtures-and-hooks.md
Test data	test-data-management.md
Auth & login	authentication.md	auth-flows.md
API testing (REST/GraphQL)	api-testing.md
Visual regression	visual-regression.md
Accessibility	accessibility.md
Mobile & responsive	mobile-and-responsive.md
Component testing	component-testing.md
Network mocking	network-mocking.md	when-to-mock.md
Forms & validation	forms-and-validation.md
File uploads/downloads	file-operations.md	file-upload-download.md
Error & edge cases	error-and-edge-cases.md
CRUD flows	crud-testing.md
Drag and drop	drag-and-drop.md
Search & filter UI	search-and-filter.md
Route behavior & navigation parity	route-behavior.md
Locator strictness & resilience	locator-resilience.md
Testability hooks & automation contracts	testability-hooks.md
API handler hardening	api-handler-hardening.md
Contract-first mocking	contract-first-mocking.md
Environment preflight checks	preflight.md

Debugging & Fixing

Problem	Guide
General debugging workflow	debugging.md
Specific error message	error-index.md
Flaky / intermittent tests	flaky-tests.md
Common beginner mistakes	common-pitfalls.md
Stability diagnostics	stability-diagnostics.md

Framework Recipes

Framework	Guide
Next.js (App Router + Pages Router)	nextjs.md
React (CRA, Vite)	react.md
Vue 3 / Nuxt	vue.md
Angular	angular.md

Specialized Topics

Topic	Guide
Multi-user & collaboration	multi-user-and-collaboration.md
WebSockets & real-time	websockets-and-realtime.md
Browser APIs (geo, clipboard, permissions)	browser-apis.md
iframes & Shadow DOM	iframes-and-shadow-dom.md
Canvas & WebGL	canvas-and-webgl.md
Service workers & PWA	service-workers-and-pwa.md
Electron apps	electron-testing.md
Browser extensions	browser-extensions.md
Security testing	security-testing.md
Performance & benchmarks	performance-testing.md
i18n & localization	i18n-and-localization.md
Multi-tab & popups	multi-context-and-popups.md
Clock & time mocking	clock-and-time-mocking.md
Third-party integrations	third-party-integrations.md

Architecture Decisions

Question	Guide
Which locator strategy?	locator-strategy.md
E2E vs component vs API?	test-architecture.md
Mock vs real services?	when-to-mock.md