For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.

Exploratory Testing

From Ideas to Coverage — Instantly

Exploratory Test Sessions let you create tests while you execute them manually.

No setup. No prewritten cases. Just start testing, and build coverage as you go.

Before You Start

  • Available only in the Manual Testing App

You can download the TestFirst Manual Testing App from the Utilities Pack available in the TestFirst web application.

  1. Open the TestFirst web application.

  2. Scroll to the bottom of the left navigation panel.

  3. Click Utilities Pack and download the installer.

  4. Install and launch the TestFirst Manual Testing App.

  • Requires Run permission for Exploratory Testing

Get the Manual Testing App from the Utilities Pack link in the web app's bottom-left panel.

Start an Exploratory Test Session

You can start a session from:

  • Open the Manual Testing App and go to Exploratory Testing

  • Click Run Exploratory Test to begin

Test While You Think

The session works like a normal manual test execution — with one key difference:

👉 You can write steps as you test

1

For Each Step

  • Add a Precondition (optional)

  • Describe the Action

  • Define the Expected Result

  • Set the status (Pass / Fail)

  • Attach screenshots if needed

💡 Use Markdown for clarity and structure.

2

Capture Results Instantly

Every action you take becomes structured test data.

  • Steps are recorded as you write

  • Results are captured in real time

  • Failures can be turned into bug reports immediately

3

End the Session

When you're done:

  1. Click End Session

  2. Provide test details:

    • Title

    • Project

    • An optional hierarchy (Suite / Section / Subsection)

    • Optional Test Plan

  3. Save

What Happens Next

  • Your session becomes a test case

  • The results are preserved

  • It is added to a Test Plan (or a new one is created)

👉 From exploration → structured coverage in one flow


Pause Anytime

Not finished?

  • Click Stop

  • Save as draft

You can resume or discard it later from the Exploratory Tests section.


Summary

  • Exploratory tests help you test without preparation

  • Capture coverage in real time

  • Turn exploration into reusable test cases

  • Report issues instantly

Exploratory testing removes friction between thinking, testing, and documenting.

You don’t just test — you build coverage as you go.

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