Skip to main content

​
Overview

Type text or numbers into the currently focused input field with optional delay between keystrokes.

​
Syntax

await testdriver.type(text, options)

​
Parameters

​
text
string | number
required
Text to type (can be a string or number)
​
options
object | number
Typing options (or legacy delay number)

​
Returns

Promise<void>

​
Examples

​
Basic Typing

// Type text
await testdriver.type('[email protected]');

// 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!Without this option, typed text appears in:
  • 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('[email protected]');

// 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('[email protected]');
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('[email protected]');

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

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

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));

// 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('[email protected]');

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

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

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);

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('[email protected]');

// 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({ newSandbox: true });
  });

  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('[email protected]');
    
    // 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');
  });
});