What Is Cucumber Testing? BDD, Gherkin & Examples

January 07, 2026 · 12 min read · Testing Guide

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What Is Cucumber Testing? BDD, Gherkin & amp; Examples

What Is Cucumber Testing? BDD, Gherkin & amp; Examples

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Cucumber Testing
A behavior-driven examination attack habituate the Cucumber creature to write executable trial causa in Gherkin syntax, making test scenarios easy to understand for all stakeholders.

 

In this blog, we will walk you through the requirement of setting up Cucumber for your projection. You will learn about the prerequisites, installation measure, and configuration needed to get Cucumber up and running. This guidebook will supply open instructions for various environments, assure you receive everything you need to start writing your 1st Cucumber tests.

What is Cucumber?

Cucumber is an open-source software tool used for behavior-driven growing (BDD). It allows developer, testers, and business stakeholders to compose test scenarios in plain language that anyone can understand, typically using the Gherkin language.

This plain lyric approach enables non-technical team members to participate actively in the testing operation, ensuring that the software do as expected from a exploiter 's view.

Cucumber supports multiple programing languages, include Java, Ruby, and JavaScript, and it incorporate with many test automation frameworks like JUnit, TestNG, and RSpec. The primary goal of Cucumber is to enhance quislingism between technical and non-technical squad by foster a shared understanding of how the application should work.

What is BDD Testing?

Cucumber is primarily used for BDD testing. So what 's exactly is BDD testing?

BDD testing is an Agile methodology where test instance are crafted in square language, create them approachable still to those without technical expertise. The primary aim of BDD try is to foster collaborationism between the technical and business teams within an organization.

The Gherkin language, used in BDD, is a business-readable syntax designed to describe system behaviors and scenarios. It is structured around three core statements: Given, When, and Then, each delineate a specific constituent of the scheme 's behavior.

  • The Givenstatement constitute the initial setting and defines the starting conditions of the scheme.
  • The Whenstatement details the action or case that triggers a change in the system.
  • The Thenstatement specifies the expected outcome following the activity depict in the When argument.

BDD testing is rooted in the idea that the `` tres amigos '' (three key purpose) in package development often get different position, and establishing common ground is essential for efficient communication. The `` tres amigos '' are:

  • Product Owner:Represents the business side, focusing on solving a particular trouble.
  • Developer:Represents the growth side, train to build a solution that addresses the trouble identified by the Product Owner.
  • Tester:Represents the QA side, ensuring the solution efficaciously solves the problem and identifying likely issues.

Traditional testing approaches frequently fail to join these perspectives. Typically, stakeholders relay their requirements to the Product Owner, who then communicates them to developer and testers. Developers translate these requirements into code, while testers convert them into test cases. This sequential process is time-consuming and can result to miscommunication and misunderstandings.

In contrast, BDD advance the `` tres amigos '' to collaborate directly, discussing the requirements together and documenting their insights using a shared speech. This collaborative approach ensures a common agreement of the trouble and countenance testers to create tryout cases using a BDD framework, cut the risk of misunderstandings and improving the overall development process.

Read More:

How Does Cucumber Work?

Cucumber operates through a process that bridges the gap between human-readable specification and automated testing code.

Step 1: Gherkin Language Parsing

Cucumber begins by reading feature file written in Gherkin, a words that habituate plain English-like syntax to trace software deportment. Each feature file contains one or more scenarios that describe different use cases or functionalities of the application.

The Gherkin syntax is parse into a structured format that Cucumber can realize, break down the scenarios into individual stairs such as Given, When, and Then

Step 2: Step Definition Mapping

Each step in the Gherkin file is map to a corresponding part of codification, known as a pace definition. These are written in a scheduling words (e.g., Java, Ruby, Python) and include logic that interacts with the covering under test. Cucumber uses annotations (such as @ Given, @ When, @ Then in Java) to bind Gherkin steps to specific methods in the code. When Cucumber parses a step like “ Given the user is on the login page, ” it look for a method annotated with @ Given that match the textbook.

Here ’ s an representative of how Gherkin step are map to step definitions in Cucumber. Let 's say we have this feature file:

Feature: User Login Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials Given the user is on the login page When the exploiter enters a valid username and password Then the user should be redirect to their dashboard

We have the next code:

signification io.cucumber.java.en.Given; significance io.cucumber.java.en.When; import io.cucumber.java.en.Then; public class LoginSteps {@ Given (`` the exploiter is on the login page '') public null the_user_is_on_the_login_page () {// Code to navigate to the login page System.out.println (`` User navigates to the login page. ``);} @ When (`` the user enter a valid username and password '') public void the_user_enters_a_valid_username_and_password () {// Code to enter username and password System.out.println (`` User enters valid credentials. ``);} @ Then (`` the exploiter should be airt to their dashboard '') public void the_user_should_be_redirected_to_their_dashboard () {// Code to control redirection to the dashboard System.out.println (`` User is redirected to the splasher. ``);}}

As you can see, the & nbsp; “ Given the user is on the login page ” Gherkin step is mapped to the @ Given annotation. The same applies to other steps.

Step 3: Test Execution

To run Cucumber tests, you need a exam runner. You can create a class that will be the entry point for running your Cucumber tests. The test runner class here uses JUnit 's @ RunWith annotation to specify that JUnit should run the trial, and the @ CucumberOptions annotation to configure the executing.

import org.junit.runner.RunWith; importation io.cucumber.junit.Cucumber; import io.cucumber.junit.CucumberOptions; @ RunWith (Cucumber.class) @ CucumberOptions (sport = `` src/test/resources/features '') public class RunCucumberTest {}

When executing, you can run the test runner class directly from your IDE, or use Maven or Gradle to run the exam (mvn test for Maven or gradle test for Gradle).

Examples of Cucumber Tests

Let 's say you are screen a banking covering which allows users to log in to their chronicle using a username and parole. The goal is to insure that only registered users with the correct credentials can log in, and users with wrong credentials are denied access.

For autonomous testing across multiple user personas, check out SUSATest — it explores your app like 10 different real users.

We 'll part by writing a characteristic file that describes the behavior of the login functionality in plain language.

Feature: User Login As a registered user of the banking application, I want to log in to my account So that I can access my personal banking splashboard Scenario: Successful login with valid certification Given the exploiter is on the login page When the user enters a valid username and password And clicks the login push Then the user should be redirected to their banking dashboard Scenario: Unsuccessful login with invalid certificate Given the user is on the login page When the user enters an invalid username or password And clicks the login push Then the user should see an mistake message indicating invalid login credentials Scenario: Unsuccessful login with empty credential Given the user is on the login page When the user leave the username or password battlefield hollow And click the login button Then the exploiter should see an error content indicating that both fields are demand

The next step is to write the step definition that will map the Gherkin steps to the actual code that interacts with the application. Below is an example of how you might write these in Java.

importation io.cucumber.java.en.Given; importation io.cucumber.java.en.When; import io.cucumber.java.en.Then; import static org.junit.Assert. *; public class LoginSteps {private LoginPage loginPage; private DashboardPage dashboardPage; individual String errorMessage; @ Given (`` the user is on the login page '') public void the_user_is_on_the_login_page () {loginPage = new LoginPage (); loginPage.navigateToLoginPage ();} @ When (`` the user enters a valid username and watchword '') public vacancy the_user_enters_a_valid_username_and_password () {loginPage.enterUsername (`` validUser ''); loginPage.enterPassword (`` validPassword '');} @ When (`` the user recruit an invalid username or parole '') public nullity the_user_enters_an_invalid_username_or_password () {loginPage.enterUsername (`` invalidUser ''); loginPage.enterPassword (`` invalidPassword '');} @ When (`` the user leaves the username or password field empty '') public nothingness the_user_leaves_the_username_or_password_field_empty () {loginPage.enterUsername (`` ''); loginPage.enterPassword (`` '');} @ When (`` clicks the login button '') public void clicks_the_login_button () {loginPage.clickLoginButton ();} @ Then (`` the user should be redirect to their banking dashboard '') public void the_user_should_be_redirected_to_their_banking_dashboard () {dashboardPage = new DashboardPage (); assertTrue (dashboardPage.isDashboardDisplayed ());} @ Then (`` the user should see an fault message indicating invalid login credentials '') public void the_user_should_see_an_error_message_indicating_invalid_login_credentials () {errorMessage = loginPage.getErrorMessage (); assertEquals (`` Invalid username or parole. ``, errorMessage);} @ Then (`` the user should see an error message indicating that both fields are need '') public void the_user_should_see_an_error_message_indicating_that_both_fields_are_required () {errorMessage = loginPage.getErrorMessage (); assertEquals (`` Username and password are postulate. ``, errorMessage);}}

Once the lineament file and step definition are set up, you can run the Cucumber tests. In most frame-up, this is done habituate a tryout moon-curser (e.g., JUnit in Java).

import org.junit.runner.RunWith; import io.cucumber.junit.Cucumber; import io.cucumber.junit.CucumberOptions; @ RunWith (Cucumber.class) @ CucumberOptions (features = `` src/test/resources/features '', glue = `` com.example.steps '', plugin = {`` jolly '', `` html: target/cucumber-reports ''}, monochrome = true) public class RunCucumberTest {}

Benefits of use Cucumber For Testing

  1. Better Collaboration: Cucumber uses unpatterned speech (Gherkin), making it easy for technical and non-technical team members to collaborate on feature file. This insure all stakeholders align on the package ’ s expected behavior, reducing misapprehension.
  2. Easier Communication with Non-Tech Stakeholders: Gherkin syntax read like plain English, allowing non-technical stakeholders to translate, write, and review tests. This improves communication and reduces requirement erroneousness.
  3. Supports Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): Cucumber promotes BDD, rivet on user behavior instead of technical details. This ensures the software is built to meet user needs and business goals.
  4. Readable and Maintainable Tests: Cucumber tests are easy to read and understand, making them more intuitive and easier to conserve. They are user-focused, reducing the need for extra corroboration and helping new squad members quickly grasp test cases.

Cucumber Testing Best Practices

1. Write Open and Concise Scenarios:Ensure that your Gherkin scenarios are straightforward, focusing on one behavior per scenario. Avoid complex, multi-step scenarios that might be difficult to sustain.

2. Reuse Step Definitions:Create reusable step definitions to avoid duplication. This not only makes the code DRY (Don ’ t Repeat Yourself) but too check consistency across scenario.

3. Keep Feature Files Business-Focused:Feature file should be understandable to non-technical stakeholders. Use language that reflect the business demesne and avoid implementation item.

4. Organize Feature Files and Step Definitions:Maintain a clear structure by organizing lineament files into coherent subdirectories and group related step definition together.

5. Leverage Data Tables and Scenario Outlines:Use data tables and scenario schema to address multiple tryout lawsuit efficiently, reducing the need for repetitive scenarios while covering a wide range of inputs.

How To Automate Cucumber Testing?

Katalon is a comprehensive mechanisation screen creature that enable QA teams to:

👉 Create codeless examination
👉 Manage them in a centralised repository
👉 Execute tests across multiple browser in the cloud
👉 Produce detail study for data-driven decision-making

Katalon too supports BDD testing with Cucumber, allowing you to import BDD characteristic files, create scripts with low-code features, link BDD measure to test hand, and generate BDD-style reports.

To create a Cucumber feature file in Katalon Studio, go toFile & gt; New & gt; BDD Feature Fileafter initiation.
 


 

Name your feature file. If you select the “ Generate sampling lineament file template ” option, Katalon will create a pre-written BDD script template in Gherkin, which you can then modify as needed. 

Here is a simple Gherkin scenario as shown below:

Scenario: Login functionality

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Given I voyage to the login page

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; When I enter my username

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; And I enter my password

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; And I snap on the login button

& nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Then I should be logged in successfully
 

At this point, you 'll notice a yellowed highlighting on each step in the feature file. This indicates that the step definitions or examination book have n't been created yet—essentially, the `` glue code '' that connects Cucumber and Katalon is missing. These pocket-sized pieces of code are necessary to bridge the steps in your characteristic file with the actual examination logic in Katalon. 


 

The next pace is to create the footstep definitions in the step file. To do this, navigate toInclude & gt; sport & gt; scripts & gt; groovy & gt; (default package)in the leftover sidebar. Right-click in this directory, choose New & gt; Step Definition, and create a Groovy playscript. This script will contain the code that maps each step in your feature file to its correspond test logic.

 

As you can see, each of the BDD steps supra receive been linked with its corresponding tryout definition.

 


 

Next, you can use Katalon 's fast trial author lineament to convert the BDD feature file into a complete exam book in seconds. Two key method are:

  • Built-in Keywords:Drag and drop pre-written code snip to build the trial case.
  • Record-and-Playback:Record actions on your screen, capture object xPaths, and render Selenium scripts for re-execution.

Katalon allows viewing and redact the full script, enabling you to finalize the pace definitions. Once accomplished, click Run to execute the test and view the BDD test results in Katalon TestOps.

With Katalon, Cucumber ’ s capacity are enhanced by:

  • Low-code, fast test authoring
  • Customizable coding alternative
  • Cross-browser testing for broader coverage
  • Easier script maintenance through centralized management
  • Detailed BDD-style test result
     

 

FAQs On Cucumber Testing

1. What is the dispute between Cucumber and Selenium?

+

Cucumber is a try instrument designed for Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), focusing on indite human-readable tryout scenarios in Gherkin. Selenium, on the early hand, is a browser automation tool used for functional testing. Cucumber can mix with Selenium to automatize the executing of BDD test cases in browser.

2. Is Cucumber BDD or TDD?

+

Cucumber is a BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) tool. It bridges the communication gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders by allowing examination cases to be written in plain language. TDD (Test-Driven Development) is a separate practice concentrate on write tests before the actual code, which is not Cucumber 's primary purpose.

3. Is Gherkin a Cucumber?

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No, Gherkin is not the like as Cucumber. Gherkin is the syntax utilize to publish test scenario in Cucumber. It al lows test cases to be written in a integrated and human-readable format using keywords like Given, When, and Then.

4. Is Cucumber used for agile examination?

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Yes, Cucumber is ordinarily habituate in Agile environments as it back coaction between developers, testers, and stakeholders. It aligns well with Agile principles by encouraging iterative development and clear communication through BDD.

5. Is JUnit a BDD or TDD tool?

+

JUnit is a TDD (Test-Driven Development) tool. It is mainly used to write and run unit tryout for Java applications, supporting a TDD workflow. It is not designed for BDD like Cucumber.

6. Is TDD good for Agile?

+

Yes, TDD is a valuable drill in Agile development as it encourages writing testable code, assure higher code quality, and supports quick iterations. TDD aligns well with Agile rule of delivering working package frequently.

7. Can you use both TDD and BDD?

+

Yes, TDD and BDD can be expend together. TDD focalise on writing unit exam to head codification development, while BDD emphasizes collaboration and writing behavior-focused trial. Together, they ensure full-bodied codification and better alignment with occupation requisite.

8. Is TDD slower?

+

TDD can initially seem slower because of the clip fagged writing tests before code. However, it often speeds up development in the long run by reducing bugs, simplifying debugging, and ensuring that the codification meets requirements betimes.

Explain

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Contributors
The Katalon Team is compose of a diverse group of dedicated professionals, include open matter expert with deep domain knowledge, experienced technical writers skilled, and QA specialists who bring a hard-nosed, real-world view. Together, they bestow to the Katalon Blog, delivering high-quality, insightful clause that empower user to create the most of Katalon ’ s puppet and stay update on the latest movement in test mechanisation and software lineament.

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