10 Benefits of Magento 2 Testing Framework for Developers

• What is Magento 2 Functional Test Framework?

• 10 Benefits of Using Magento 2 Testing Framework for Developers

• How to Set Up Magento 2 Testing Framework

• Comparing Magento 2 Testing Framework with Other Testing Tools

• Future Trends in Magento 2 Testing Framework Development

• Common Challenges in Magento Functional Testing Framework and Solutions

• FAQs

• Summary

What is Magento 2 Functional Test Framework?

Magento 2 Functional Test Framework (MFTF) automates end-to-end testing for Magento websites. It ensures that the site works as expected from a user’s perspective.

MFTF simulates fundamental user interactions like logging in, adding products to the cart, and completing checkout. It integrates with:

• Codeception

• Selenium

• Allure

It will improve testing efficiency. With MFTF, developers can identify issues early and reduce manual testing time.

MFTF uses XML test cases that are converted into PHP scripts. These tests are executed with the vendor/bin/mftf command. Selenium automates browser interactions, ensuring tests work across different browsers.

The framework is modular, allowing tests to be reused and customized. Allure generates detailed reports that help developers troubleshoot issues and improve site performance.

10 Benefits of Using Magento 2 Testing Framework for Developers

Benefit	Explanation
Automated Testing	MFTF automates testing tasks. It reduces manual work and human error. Developers can run tests quickly and often. It saves time and catches issues early. Automation makes the testing process faster.
End-to-End Testing	MFTF allows developers to test the entire user journey. It covers all steps, from login to checkout. It helps ensure the site functions correctly. End-to-end tests simulate real user actions. Developers can identify issues that unit tests may miss.
Integration with Popular Tools	MFTF integrates with Codeception, Selenium, and Allure. Codeception makes writing tests easier. Selenium automates browser interactions. Allure provides clear, visual reports. These tools enhance the testing process.
Modular Design	MFTF has a modular design. Each test is independent and can be run separately. It makes it easier to isolate issues. Developers can reuse tests across different scenarios. It simplifies maintenance and updates.
Customizable Test Cases	Test cases in MFTF are written in XML, which is easy to customize. Developers can adapt tests for different needs. This flexibility helps test custom modules. Custom tests ensure the framework suits project requirements.
Cross-Browser Testing	MFTF uses Selenium for cross-browser testing. It ensures your Magento site works on multiple browsers. Developers can test on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more. It guarantees compatibility and a consistent user experience.
Faster Bug Detection	MFTF runs tests faster than manual testing. It leads to quicker bug detection. Magento developers can catch issues early. Early fixes reduce the risk of bugs reaching production. It speeds up the debugging process.
Reusability of Test Cases	MFTF allows developers to reuse test cases. They can use the same tests for different features. It reduces the need to write new tests. Reusing tests makes the process more efficient. It ensures consistent testing across the project.
Continuous Integration Support	MFTF supports continuous integration (CI) tools. Tests run automatically when code changes are pushed. It ensures new changes don’t break existing functionality. It helps keep the site stable and high quality.
Detailed Reporting	MFTF generates detailed reports using Allure. These reports show test results, execution times, and failures. Developers can quickly spot issues. Reports help improve site performance and fix bugs quickly.

How to Set Up Magento 2 Testing Framework

1. Prepare Your Environment

Install the required software:

• PHP (compatible with Adobe Commerce or Magento Open Source).

• Composer 1.3 or later.

• Java 1.8 or later.

• Selenium Server Standalone 3.1 or later.

• ChromeDriver 2.33 or later (or another webdriver).

Note: PhpStorm supports Codeception test execution, which helps in debugging.

2. Install Magento

Clone the Magento 2 repository:

git clone https://github.com/magento/magento2.git

Check out the version you want to test:

cd magento2/

git checkout 2.4-develop

Install dependencies:

composer install

3. Configure Magento

I. Disable WYSIWYG

Disable the WYSIWYG Editor to allow Selenium to process text fields:

• Log in as admin.

• Go to Stores > Settings > Configuration > General > Content Management.

• Set Enable WYSIWYG Editor to Disabled Completely. Or use the command line:

bin/magento config:set cms/wysiwyg/enabled disabled

II. Adjust Security Settings

To avoid Admin Account Sharing issues during testing:

• Go to Stores > Settings > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > Security.

• Set Admin Account Sharing to Yes and Add Secret Key to URLs to No. Or use the command line:

bin/magento config:set admin/security/admin_account_sharing 1

bin/magento config:set admin/security/use_form_key 0

Configure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If 2FA is enabled, you need to configure that as well.

4. Configure Web Server

Make sure your web server points to the root directory of Magento. If using Nginx, enable URL rewrites:

bin/magento config:set web/seo/use_rewrites 1

Adjust Nginx configuration to allow Functional Testing Framework commands.

5. Install the Magento 2 Functional Testing Framework (MFTF)

Run the following command to install the framework:

composer install

Then, build the project:

vendor/bin/mftf build:project

If using PhpStorm, generate a URN catalog:

vendor/bin/mftf generate:urn-catalog .idea/misc.xml

6. Edit Environment Settings

Open the .env file in dev/tests/acceptance/ and define:

• MAGENTO_BASE_URL: URL of your Magento instance.

• MAGENTO_ADMIN_USERNAME and MAGENTO_ADMIN_PASSWORD: Admin credentials.

7. Enable CLI Commands

Enable Magento CLI commands for testing:

cp dev/tests/acceptance/.htaccess.sample dev/tests/acceptance/.htaccess

8. Run Selenium Server

Download and run Selenium Server:

curl -O http://selenium-release.storage.googleapis.com/3.14/selenium-server-standalone-3.14.0.jar

java -Dwebdriver.chrome.driver=chromedriver -jar selenium-server-standalone-3.14.0.jar

9. Generate and Run Tests

Generate and run tests:

vendor/bin/mftf generate:tests

vendor/bin/codecept run functional -c dev/tests/acceptance/codeception.yml

To run a specific test, use:

vendor/bin/mftf run:test AdminLoginSuccessfulTest --remove

10. View Reports

Functional Testing Framework will create Allure reports at dev/tests/_output/allure-results/. Generate visual reports with Allure:

allure serve dev/tests/_output/allure-results/

Comparing Magento 2 Testing Framework with Other Testing Tools

Feature	Magento 2 Testing Framework (MFTF)	Selenium	Codeception	PHPUnit
Purpose	Functional testing for Magento applications	Automated browser testing	General-purpose testing framework	Unit and integration testing
Integration with Magento	Deep integration with Magento 2. Built specifically for it.	Can be integrated, but requires extra setup	Can be integrated with Magento, but requires configuration	Can be used with Magento for unit tests
Test Type	Focuses on acceptance tests and user interaction	Primarily focuses on UI and browser automation	Supports unit, functional, and acceptance tests	Primarily used for unit and integration tests
Test Execution	Runs through Selenium or WebDriver for browser interaction	Runs browser-based tests using WebDriver	Runs tests in different formats (e.g., functional, acceptance)	Runs tests for backend code (unit and integration)
Ease of Use	Easy to set up for Magento testing. Requires knowledge of Selenium and PHP.	Requires setting up Selenium and web drivers	Easy to set up for various test types, but configuration needed for Magento	Requires familiarity with PHP testing
Support for Automation	Fully supports automated tests for Magento functionality	Supports automated UI testing	Supports automated functional and acceptance tests	Focuses on backend unit testing
Customization	Highly customizable for Magento-specific tests	Customizable but may require additional scripting	Highly customizable and supports various test modules	Limited to unit tests unless extended
Reporting	Generates detailed test reports for functional tests	Generates reports for browser-based testing	Provides detailed reports for all types of tests	Provides reports primarily for backend tests
Community Support	Strong support from Magento community	Large community with extensive documentation	Good community support for various test types	Large community for PHP testing
Best For	Ideal for testing Magento 2 applications	Best for testing UI and web interactions	Versatile tool for Magento and general testing	Best for backend code and logic testing

Future Trends in Magento 2 Testing Framework Development

1. Integration with AI and Machine Learning

• AI and machine learning will help improve test prediction and automation.

• AI-driven testing can analyze large data sets to spot issues faster.

• Automated test scripts will adapt based on historical data.

• AI will predict test failure points based on previous results.

• It will lead to smarter, more efficient testing processes.

2. Enhanced Cloud Testing & Unit Testing in Magento

• Cloud-based testing will provide more scalable solutions.

• It will offer real-time access to multiple test environments.

• Magento 2 testing frameworks will integrate more seamlessly with cloud platforms.

• Developers will be able to test across different cloud environments.

• It will reduce costs and improve test speed and accuracy.

3. Improved Mobile Testing

• Testing frameworks will focus more on Magento mobile optimization.

• More tools will be added to test mobile UX/UI.

• Frameworks will support testing across a wider range of mobile devices.

• Faster detection of mobile-specific issues will improve customer experience.

• Mobile testing will become an integral part of Magento 2 testing.

4. Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing

• CI/CD integration will become a key focus.

• Testing will be automated at every development stage.

• It will allow for quick feedback on every code change.

• It ensures that bugs are caught early, before deployment.

• Continuous testing will increase overall productivity and code quality.

5. More Efficient Security Testing

• Security testing will be more automated and efficient.

• The framework will include more penetration testing tools.

• Developers will be able to detect vulnerabilities earlier in the development cycle.

• Automated security tests will be integrated into every test run.

• It will help ensure secure Magento 2 environments for users.

Common Challenges in Magento Functional Testing Framework and Solutions

Challenge	Solution
Complex Setup Process	Use pre-configured environments to simplify the setup. Follow the MFTF installation guide step by step. Automate repetitive setup tasks with scripts. Double-check dependencies before starting. Ensure environment matches Magento requirements.
Slow Test Execution	Enable parallel testing to speed up execution. Remove unnecessary test steps to optimize scripts. Use cloud-based testing platforms for faster results. Test only the necessary scenarios for each release. Regularly update Selenium and drivers.
Limited Test Coverage	Add custom test cases for features not covered by default. Regularly review and update the test suite with new functionalities. Focus on testing high-impact areas first. Involve teams to identify critical scenarios for coverage. Test Magento extensions and custom modules thoroughly.
Compatibility Issues	Update all dependencies like Selenium and drivers. Test on multiple Magento versions to ensure compatibility. Use compatible versions of PHP, Java, and Composer. Document version-specific issues for future reference. Monitor Magento release notes for changes.
Test Flakiness	Investigate flaky tests and identify root causes. Stabilize tests by improving environment consistency. Add retries for unstable steps to reduce failures. Use detailed logs to debug intermittent issues. Regularly update drivers and testing tools.

FAQs

1. What is the Magento Functional Testing Framework?

The Magento Functional Testing Framework (MFTF) automates end-to-end functional testing for Magento websites. It simulates real user actions like login and checkout. It helps ensure site stability for Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source projects. Developers can detect bugs early. MFTF also helps test new features efficiently.

2. How can I set up MFTF in the Magento root directory?

Clone the Magento2 repository from GitHub. Install dependencies using Composer. Run vendor/bin/mftf build:project to configure the Magento Testing Framework. Place your tests in the appropriate folder under dev/tests/acceptance. Follow the official setup guide for more detailed steps.

3. How do I create test data for MFTF?

Define test data in XML files. Place them in the data folder of your MFTF project. Use pre-built actiongroups to set up reusable test steps. This data helps create realistic scenarios for commerce testing. Developers can customize the test data to fit specific requirements.

4. Can MFTF perform unit testing in Magento 2?

No, MFTF focuses on functional testing. It is not designed for unit testing in Magento. Use PHPUnit for unit tests. MFTF is best for testing complete workflows like checkout or account creation. It ensures site functionality from a user’s perspective. With MFTF, you can use the magento teams to perform automated end-to-end functional testing.

5. How do I run functional tests in MFTF?

Use the command vendor/bin/mftf run:test [TestName] to run functional tests. This command executes your test cases and provides detailed results. Tests simulate real user interactions. They check for errors. Follow best practices for efficient and accurate testing.

6. How does MFTF help test new features in Magento?

MFTF allows developers to write and test new features quickly. Use modular XML files for flexibility. It verifies functionality across browsers and devices with Selenium. The Magento Testing Framework generates detailed reports for debugging. It, with dedicated Magento hosting, ensures reliable feature releases for Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source.

7. Why is commerce testing important in Magento 2?

Commerce testing ensures key workflows, like payments and shipping, work properly. The Magento Functional Testing Framework helps verify these workflows through automation. It reduces manual effort. MFTF catches bugs early. It improves site reliability and enhances customer satisfaction.

Summary

The Magento 2 Testing Framework helps you automate tests and boost site performance. It ensures your Magento store runs smoothly and efficiently. Key benefits are:

• Automated Testing: Speeds up the process and reduces human error.

• End-to-End Testing: Tests your site from start to finish.

• Integration with Tools: Works with Selenium and Allure.

• Modular Design: Reuse test cases and simplify updates.

• Cross-Browser Testing: Works across multiple browsers.

Consider managed Magento hosting for a perfect environment for seamless Magento testing.