Fragments

What are Fragments?

Fragments are reusable blocks of test steps that you can use across multiple test cases.

They help you avoid duplication and make your tests easier to maintain.

Why Use Fragments

Use Fragments when:

• The same steps are repeated across tests (e.g., login, navigation)

• You want to standardize common flows

• You want to update logic in one place instead of many

💡 Update a Fragment once → all dependent tests benefit automatically.

Create a Fragment

Extract from an Existing Test Case

You can convert existing steps into a reusable Fragment directly from a test case.

Steps:

1. Select the steps you want to reuse

2. Click the more options button next to the Preview button

3. Click Extract

4. Enter a name in the Extract as Fragment modal

5. Click Create

Replace Source Steps

• When enabled → the selected steps are replaced with a Fragment call

• If disabled → the Fragment is created, but the original steps remain

💡 This is the fastest way to refactor duplicate logic into reusable components.

Create from Scratch

1. Open the TestFirst Editor

2. Open the library from the left toolbar, then switch to the Fragment tab (next to the Test Case tab)

3. Right-click → New Fragment, or click the more options icon in the toolbar → New Fragment

4. Enter a fragment name and double-click to open it

5. Add steps using Gherkin or the Recorder

6. Save the Fragment

Use a Fragment in a Test Case

Once created, Fragments can be reused in test cases.

Example

Scenario: Login and access dashboard
    When I run fragment "TCF1"
    Then "Welcome" is displayed

Running a Fragment

Fragments can be run independently or within the context of a calling test case, depending on their setup and dependencies.

To run a Fragment independently:

1. Open the Fragment in the editor.

2. Run the Fragment directly.

To run a Fragment with a calling test case:

1. Open the Fragment in the editor.

2. Use the Run with dropdown.

3. Select a test case that uses the Fragment.

4. Run the test.

💡 Use Run with when the Fragment depends on setup, variables, browser sessions, or other context provided by the calling test case.

🌟Prefer opening the browser in the main test case so the Fragment can reuse the session.

Given browser "chrome"
Given fragment "Complete checkout"
When I run the fragment

Open a browser inside the Fragment only when a separate session or user is required.

Example: User 1 submits a form in Browser 1, and User 2 verifies it in Browser 2.

When to Use Fragments

Fragments are ideal for:

• Login / authentication flows

• Repeated navigation steps

• Setup or precondition steps

• Complex reusable sequences

---

Best Practices

• Keep Fragments small and focused

• Use clear, descriptive names (e.g., Login Flow, Create User)

• Avoid putting too many unrelated steps in one Fragment

• Reuse instead of duplicating logic

Things to Keep in Mind

• Changes to a Fragment affect all test cases using it

• Fragments should represent reusable behaviour, not full test cases

• Keep them stable to avoid breaking multiple tests