Test Variables

Variables let you seed a set of values that are available throughout the test. Individual steps can read them and update them as the test runs.

Editing Variables

1. Open the test in the test editor.
2. Click the Parameters tab, then Variables.

The editor shows this signature above the body you write:

function variables(): Record<string, unknown> {

Write the function body only. The function must return a plain object:

return {
  start_date: "2025-01-01",
  limit: 10,
  page: 1,
};

Returning an array is rejected. The values you return here are loaded as the initial _VARS object for the test.

Allowed Values

Return values must be JSON-serializable. Accepted types: strings, finite numbers, booleans, null, arrays, and plain objects. These are rejected at save time:

• undefined
• functions, symbols, bigints
• non-finite numbers (Infinity, NaN)
• non-plain objects (class instances, circular references)

import and export statements are not available. If your code references faker, the faker library is automatically available.

Limits

Saving

Click Save Parameters & Variables. SmoothDeploy runs your code before saving. If it fails or returns invalid output, a toast error appears and the save is blocked.

Referencing Variables in Steps

Any step field with a reference picker supports variable tokens. Open the picker, choose a variable name, and it inserts {{vars.key}} into the field.

In the generated Playwright script, {{vars.key}} compiles to a lookup on _VARS:

await page.getByTestId('order-number').fill(_VARS['orderId']);

Runtime Assignment

Steps that capture data during a run write directly into _VARS. For example, an extract-text step saves the captured value before the next step runs:

_VARS['confirmationCode'] = (await page.locator('[data-id="code"]').textContent()) ?? '';

The variables you seed in the editor provide initial values. Extract and generate steps can add new keys or overwrite existing ones as the test progresses.

Next Steps

• Test parameters
• Test editor
• Built-in steps