type()

Overview

Type text or numbers into the input field that has focus. You can set an optional delay between the keystrokes.

Syntax

await testdriver.type(text, options)

Parameters

string | number

required

Text to type (can be a string or number)

object | number

Typing options (or legacy delay number)

Show properties

number

default:250

Delay between keystrokes in milliseconds

boolean

default:false

If true, TestDriver makes the text sensitive data. It does not log or store it in the debug info or in dashcam.

Returns

Promise<void>

Examples

Basic Typing

// Type text
await testdriver.type('hello@example.com');

// Type numbers
await testdriver.type(12345);

// Type with custom delay (legacy syntax)
await testdriver.type('slow typing', 500); // 500ms between each character

// Type with options object
await testdriver.type('text', { delay: 500 });

Password/Secret Handling

// ✅ SECURE - Mark as secret to prevent logging
const passwordField = await testdriver.find('password input');
await passwordField.click();
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd', { secret: true });
// Password NOT logged in dashcam or debug output

// ❌ INSECURE - Password will be logged
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd');
// Password appears in logs, dashcam replay, and debug info

// Use secret for any sensitive data
await testdriver.find('api key input').click();
await testdriver.type('sk-1234567890abcdef', { secret: true });

await testdriver.find('credit card input').click();
await testdriver.type('4111111111111111', { secret: true });

Always use secret: true for passwords and sensitive data.If you do not use this option, the typed text shows in these:

Dashcam video replays
TestDriver logs
Debug screenshots
Error messages

Form Filling

// Focus field and type
const emailField = await testdriver.find('email input');
await emailField.click();
await testdriver.type('user@example.com');

// Tab to next field and type
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('John Doe');

// Type password securely
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssw0rd', { secret: true });

Clearing and Replacing Text

const searchBox = await testdriver.find('search input');
await searchBox.click();

// Clear existing text
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
await testdriver.type('new search query');

Best Practices

Focus the field firstAlways click the input field or navigate to it before typing:

const input = await testdriver.find('username input');
await input.click();
await testdriver.type('testuser');

Use Tab for navigationNavigate between fields using Tab instead of clicking each one:

const firstField = await testdriver.find('first name');
await firstField.click();
await testdriver.type('John');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('Doe');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('john@example.com');

Clear fields before typingClear existing content to avoid appending:

const input = await testdriver.find('search field');
await input.click();
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
await testdriver.type('new search');

Field must be focusedTyping will only work if an input field is currently focused. If no field is focused, the text may be lost or trigger unexpected keyboard shortcuts.

Use Cases

await testdriver.focusApplication('Google Chrome');

const usernameField = await testdriver.find('username input');
await usernameField.click();
await testdriver.type('testuser@example.com');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('MyP@ssword123', { secret: true });

await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);

Search Fields

const searchBox = await testdriver.find('search input');
await searchBox.click();
await testdriver.type('laptop computers');
await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);

// Wait for results
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2000));

Multi-Field Forms

// First field
const nameField = await testdriver.find('full name input');
await nameField.click();
await testdriver.type('Jane Smith');

// Navigate with Tab
await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('jane.smith@example.com');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('+1-555-0123');

await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
await testdriver.type('123 Main Street');

Text Editors

const editor = await testdriver.find('text editor area');
await editor.click();

await testdriver.type('# My Document', 100);
await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter', 'enter']);
await testdriver.type('This is the first paragraph.', 50);

Numeric Input

const quantityField = await testdriver.find('quantity input');
await quantityField.click();

// Clear field
await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']);

// Type number
await testdriver.type(5);

Typing Speed

Adjust the delay parameter based on your needs:

// Fast typing (100ms delay)
await testdriver.type('quick entry', 100);

// Normal typing (250ms - default)
await testdriver.type('standard speed');

// Slow typing (500ms delay) - useful for fields with live validation
await testdriver.type('slow and steady', 500);

// Very slow (1000ms delay) - for problematic fields
await testdriver.type('one by one', 1000);

Some applications with live validation or autocomplete may require slower typing speeds to avoid race conditions.

Special Characters

// Email addresses
await testdriver.type('user@example.com');

// URLs
await testdriver.type('https://example.com/path?query=value');

// Passwords with special characters
await testdriver.type('P@ssw0rd!#$%');

// Paths
await testdriver.type('C:\\Users\\Documents\\file.txt');

// Multi-line text (use pressKeys for Enter)
await testdriver.type('Line 1');
await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
await testdriver.type('Line 2');

Complete Example

import { beforeAll, afterAll, describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
import TestDriver from 'testdriverai';

describe('Form Filling with Type', () => {
  let testdriver;

  beforeAll(async () => {
    client = new TestDriver(process.env.TD_API_KEY);
    await testdriver.auth();
    await testdriver.connect();
  });

  afterAll(async () => {
    await testdriver.disconnect();
  });

  it('should fill out registration form', async () => {
    await testdriver.focusApplication('Google Chrome');
    
    // Email field
    const emailField = await testdriver.find('email input field');
    await emailField.click();
    await testdriver.type('john.doe@example.com');
    
    // Tab through form fields
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('John');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('Doe');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssword123');
    
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['tab']);
    await testdriver.type('MySecureP@ssword123'); // Confirm password
    
    // Verify fields were filled
    const result = await testdriver.assert('all form fields are filled');
    expect(result).toBeTruthy();
  });

  it('should update search query', async () => {
    const searchBox = await testdriver.find('search input');
    await searchBox.click();
    
    // Type initial search
    await testdriver.type('laptops');
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
    
    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 2000));
    
    // Update search
    await searchBox.click();
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['ctrl', 'a']); // Select all
    await testdriver.type('gaming laptops');
    await testdriver.pressKeys(['enter']);
    
    // Verify new search
    await testdriver.assert('search results for "gaming laptops" are shown');
  });
});

pressKeys() - Press keyboard keys and shortcuts
find() - Locate input fields
click() - Focus input fields

Overview

Using TestDriver

Building & Maintaining Tests

Advanced Topics

Overview

Syntax

Parameters

Returns

Examples

Basic Typing

Password/Secret Handling

Form Filling

Clearing and Replacing Text

Best Practices

Use Cases

Typing Speed

Special Characters

Complete Example

​Overview

​Syntax

​Parameters

​Returns

​Examples

​Basic Typing

​Password/Secret Handling

​Form Filling

​Clearing and Replacing Text

​Best Practices

​Use Cases

​Typing Speed

​Special Characters

​Complete Example

​Related Methods

Overview

Syntax

Parameters

Returns

Examples

Basic Typing

Password/Secret Handling

Form Filling

Clearing and Replacing Text

Best Practices

Use Cases

Typing Speed

Special Characters

Complete Example

Related Methods