Step Modes

Every step in BlinqIO can be created using one of five modes. The two primary modes, AI Chat and AI Record, are always visible. Three secondary modes (Assert, Reuse, Custom) expand from a ... indicator on hover.

AI Chat

The default mode. Describe what the step should do in plain English, and AI generates the Gherkin step name and Playwright code.

How to use

1. Ensure AI Chat mode is selected (sparkle icon)
2. Type your instruction in the input field:

   Click the "Add to Cart" button for the first product

3. Press Enter or click the Send button
4. The step enters a processing phase with cycling status messages:
   • "Analyzing instruction..."
   • "Generating Playwright code..."
   • "Optimizing selectors..."
5. AI generates:
   • A properly formatted Gherkin step name with keyword semantics (Given/When/Then/And/But)
   • Parameterized step names using <param> syntax where appropriate
   • Playwright TypeScript code
   • An examples object mapping parameters to values

Auto-splitting

If your instruction describes multiple logical actions, the AI automatically splits it into separate steps. For example:

Input: "Fill in the registration form with name John, email john@test.com, and click Submit"

Output:

• Step 1: When user enters "<name>" in the name field
• Step 2: And user enters "<email>" in the email field
• Step 3: And user clicks the "Submit" button

Split steps are inserted immediately after the original step's position. You'll see a notification: "AI split your actions into 3 steps".

Document upload

The paperclip button in the AI Chat input allows uploading PDF, DOC, TXT, or MD files as additional context for AI step generation. This is useful when you have specifications or user stories to reference.

AI Record

Record browser interactions and let AI generate the step code automatically.

How to use

1. Switch to AI Record mode (record icon)
2. The input becomes non-editable and the browser preview enters recording mode:
   • A blinking orange REC indicator appears in the browser bar
   • The left border of the step turns orange
3. Interact with the browser preview: clicks are captured as recorded actions
4. Each action appears in a live feed within the step card
5. Click Stop to end recording
6. AI analyzes the recorded actions and generates:
   • A descriptive step name based on what was recorded
   • Playwright code for each captured action

Recorded action context menu

Right-click any captured action (or click its dots button) for options:

Action	Description
Switch locator strategy	Change the element locator used
Convert to double click	Change a single click to double click
Convert to right click	Change a single click to right click
Parameterize value	Extract the value into a reusable <param>
Add wait before action	Insert a delay before this action
Delete action	Remove the recorded action

Auto-splitting in recording

Like AI Chat, recording mode can auto-split actions into multiple steps when they represent separate logical operations (e.g., filling a form then clicking submit).

Re-recording

After completing a recording, a Re-record button lets you start over for that step.

Assert

Add verification checks to validate that your application is in the expected state.

Assertion types

Select from a searchable dropdown (green-themed):

Type	What it checks
Verify text found	Specific text exists on the page
Verify text not found	Specific text does not exist
Verify element property	An element's attribute or CSS property
Verify page title	The page's <title> tag
Verify page URL	The current URL or path
Verify page snapshot	Visual comparison of the page state
Verify text relation	Text exists in relation to other text (e.g., "Price" near "$29.99")

Reuse

Select a step from your existing step library to reuse in the current test.

How to use

1. Switch to Reuse mode (reuse icon)
2. A searchable dropdown appears listing all available steps
3. Use fuzzy search to find the step you need
4. Select a step to reuse it: BlinqIO will also attempt to execute it in the browser

This promotes consistency and reduces duplication across your test suite.

Custom

Specialized actions that don't fit the AI Chat or Record paradigm.

Available custom actions

Action	Description
Context Click	Perform a right-click on an element
Extract Value	Capture a value from an element for use in later steps
Fixed Sleep	Wait a specific number of seconds
Fluent Sleep	Wait dynamically until a condition is met

Select the action type from a searchable dropdown.

Switching modes

You can change a step's mode at any time:

• Empty steps switch instantly
• Defined steps (with existing code) trigger a confirmation modal warning that the current implementation will be lost

This flexibility means you can start with AI Chat, realize recording would be easier, and switch mid-step.

What's next

• Running Tests: Execute your steps and see statuses in action
• Test Data & Parameters: Work with dynamic values