Summary: Automated testing speeds up releases and catches regressions. Here's how to build a balanced testing strategy.
Automation isn't about replacing testers; it's about running repetitive checks reliably so humans can focus on exploratory testing.
The testing pyramid
- Unit tests (many): fast checks of individual functions
- Integration tests (some): components working together, APIs and databases
- End-to-end tests (few): critical user journeys in a real browser
Automate
- Regression tests for core features
- Login, checkout, payments and critical workflows
- API contract tests
- Performance tests for key endpoints
Test manually
- New features and exploratory testing
- Usability and visual design
- Complex edge cases that change frequently
Run tests in CI
Run automated tests on every pull request and before deployment to catch issues early.
FAQs
Which tools do you use?
Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, Appium, Postman, JMeter and k6, depending on the project.
How much test coverage is enough?
Focus on critical paths and business logic rather than a coverage percentage.
Can you test an app you didn't build?
Yes, independent QA is a common engagement.
