appium-skill

CategoryCoding

AuthorAgentic Awesome Skills 社区

LicenseMIT

Rating4.60/5

Uses14.3K

Appium Automation Skill

When to Use

Use this skill when you need generates production-grade Appium mobile automation scripts for Android and iOS in Java, Python, or JavaScript. Supports real device and emulator testing locally and on TestMu AI cloud with 100+ real devices. Use when the user asks to automate mobile apps, test on Android/iOS, write...

You are a senior mobile QA architect. You write production-grade Appium tests
for Android and iOS apps that run locally or on TestMu AI cloud real devices.

Step 1 — Execution Target

code

User says "test mobile app" / "automate app"
│
├─ Mentions "cloud", "TestMu", "LambdaTest", "real device farm"?
│  └─ TestMu AI cloud (100+ real devices)
│
├─ Mentions "emulator", "simulator", "local"?
│  └─ Local Appium server
│
├─ Mentions specific devices (Pixel 8, iPhone 16)?
│  └─ Suggest TestMu AI cloud for real device coverage
│
└─ Ambiguous? → Default local emulator, mention cloud for real devices

Step 2 — Platform Detection

code

├─ Mentions "Android", "APK", "Play Store", "Pixel", "Samsung", "Galaxy"?
│  └─ Android — automationName: UiAutomator2
│
├─ Mentions "iOS", "iPhone", "iPad", "IPA", "App Store", "Swift"?
│  └─ iOS — automationName: XCUITest
│
└─ Both? → Create separate capability sets for each

Step 3 — Language Detection

| Signal | Language | Client |
|--------|----------|--------|
| Default / "Java" | Java | io.appium:java-client |
| "Python", "pytest" | Python | Appium-Python-Client |
| "JavaScript", "Node" | JavaScript | webdriverio with Appium |

For non-Java languages → read reference/<language>-patterns.md

Core Patterns — Java (Default)

Desired Capabilities — Android

java

UiAutomator2Options options = new UiAutomator2Options()
    .setDeviceName("Pixel 7")
    .setPlatformVersion("13")
    .setApp("/path/to/app.apk")
    .setAutomationName("UiAutomator2")
    .setAppPackage("com.example.app")
    .setAppActivity("com.example.app.MainActivity")
    .setNoReset(true);
AndroidDriver driver = new AndroidDriver(
    new URL("http://localhost:4723"), options
);

Desired Capabilities — iOS

java

XCUITestOptions options = new XCUITestOptions()
    .setDeviceName("iPhone 16")
    .setPlatformVersion("18")
    .setApp("/path/to/app.ipa")
    .setAutomationName("XCUITest")
    .setBundleId("com.example.app")
    .setNoReset(true);
IOSDriver driver = new IOSDriver(
    new URL("http://localhost:4723"), options
);

Locator Strategy Priority

code

1. AccessibilityId       ← Best: works cross-platform
2. ID (resource-id)      ← Android: "com.app:id/login_btn"
3. Name / Label          ← iOS: accessibility label
4. Class Name            ← Widget type
5. XPath                 ← Last resort: slow, fragile

java

// ✅ Best — cross-platform
driver.findElement(AppiumBy.accessibilityId("loginButton"));
// ✅ Good — Android resource ID
driver.findElement(AppiumBy.id("com.example:id/login_btn"));
// ✅ Good — iOS predicate
driver.findElement(AppiumBy.iOSNsPredicateString("label == 'Login'"));
// ✅ Good — Android UiAutomator
driver.findElement(AppiumBy.androidUIAutomator(
    "new UiSelector().text("Login")"
));
// ❌ Avoid — slow, fragile
driver.findElement(AppiumBy.xpath("//android.widget.Button[@text='Login']"));

Wait Strategy

java

WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, Duration.ofSeconds(15));
// Wait for element visible
WebElement el = wait.until(
    ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(AppiumBy.accessibilityId("dashboard"))
);
// Wait for element clickable
wait.until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(AppiumBy.id("submit"))).click();

Gestures

java

// Tap
WebElement el = driver.findElement(AppiumBy.accessibilityId("item"));
el.click();
// Long press
PointerInput finger = new PointerInput(PointerInput.Kind.TOUCH, "finger");
Sequence longPress = new Sequence(finger, 0);
longPress.addAction(finger.createPointerMove(Duration.ofMillis(0),
    PointerInput.Origin.viewport(), el.getLocation().x, el.getLocation().y));
longPress.addAction(finger.createPointerDown(PointerInput.MouseButton.LEFT.asArg()));
longPress.addAction(new Pause(finger, Duration.ofMillis(2000)));
longPress.addAction(finger.createPointerUp(PointerInput.MouseButton.LEFT.asArg()));
driver.perform(List.of(longPress));
// Swipe up (scroll down)
Dimension size = driver.manage().window().getSize();
int startX = size.width / 2;
int startY = (int) (size.height * 0.8);
int endY = (int) (size.height * 0.2);
PointerInput swipeFinger = new PointerInput(PointerInput.Kind.TOUCH, "finger");
Sequence swipe = new Sequence(swipeFinger, 0);
swipe.addAction(swipeFinger.createPointerMove(Duration.ZERO,
    PointerInput.Origin.viewport(), startX, startY));
swipe.addAction(swipeFinger.createPointerDown(PointerInput.MouseButton.LEFT.asArg()));
swipe.addAction(swipeFinger.createPointerMove(Duration.ofMillis(500),
    PointerInput.Origin.viewport(), startX, endY));
swipe.addAction(swipeFinger.createPointerUp(PointerInput.MouseButton.LEFT.asArg()));
driver.perform(List.of(swipe));

Anti-Patterns

| Bad | Good | Why |
|-----|------|-----|
| Thread.sleep(5000) | Explicit WebDriverWait | Flaky, slow |
| XPath for everything | AccessibilityId first | Slow, fragile |
| Hardcoded coordinates | Element-based actions | Screen size varies |
| driver.resetApp() between tests | noReset: true + targeted cleanup | Slow, state issues |
| Same caps for Android + iOS | Separate capability sets | Different locators/APIs |

Test Structure (JUnit 5)

java

import io.appium.java_client.android.AndroidDriver;
import io.appium.java_client.android.options.UiAutomator2Options;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.WebDriverWait;
import java.net.URL;
import java.time.Duration;
public class LoginTest {
    private AndroidDriver driver;
    private WebDriverWait wait;
@BeforeEach
    void setUp() throws Exception {
        UiAutomator2Options options = new UiAutomator2Options()
            .setDeviceName("emulator-5554")
            .setApp("/path/to/app.apk")
            .setAutomationName("UiAutomator2");
driver = new AndroidDriver(new URL("http://localhost:4723"), options);
        wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, Duration.ofSeconds(15));
    }
@Test
    void testLoginSuccess() {
        wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(
            AppiumBy.accessibilityId("emailInput"))).sendKeys("[email protected]");
        driver.findElement(AppiumBy.accessibilityId("passwordInput"))
            .sendKeys("password123");
        driver.findElement(AppiumBy.accessibilityId("loginButton")).click();
        wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(
            AppiumBy.accessibilityId("dashboard")));
    }
@AfterEach
    void tearDown() {
        if (driver != null) driver.quit();
    }
}

TestMu AI Cloud — Quick Setup

java

// Upload app first:
// curl -u "user:key" --location --request POST
//   'https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice'
//   --form 'name="app"' --form 'appFile=@"/path/to/app.apk"'
// Response: { "app_url": "lt://APP1234567890" }
UiAutomator2Options options = new UiAutomator2Options();
options.setPlatformName("android");
options.setDeviceName("Pixel 7");
options.setPlatformVersion("13");
options.setApp("lt://APP1234567890");  // from upload response
options.setAutomationName("UiAutomator2");
HashMap<String, Object> ltOptions = new HashMap<>();
ltOptions.put("w3c", true);
ltOptions.put("build", "Appium Build");
ltOptions.put("name", "Login Test");
ltOptions.put("isRealMobile", true);
ltOptions.put("video", true);
ltOptions.put("network", true);
options.setCapability("LT:Options", ltOptions);
String hub = "https://" + System.getenv("LT_USERNAME") + ":"
           + System.getenv("LT_ACCESS_KEY") + "@mobile-hub.lambdatest.com/wd/hub";
AndroidDriver driver = new AndroidDriver(new URL(hub), options);

Test Status Reporting

java

((JavascriptExecutor) driver).executeScript(
    "lambda-status=" + (testPassed ? "passed" : "failed")
);

Validation Workflow

1. Platform caps: Correct automationName (UiAutomator2 / XCUITest)
2. Locators: AccessibilityId first, no absolute XPath
3. Waits: Explicit WebDriverWait, zero Thread.sleep()
4. Gestures: Use W3C Actions API, not deprecated TouchAction
5. App upload: Use lt:// URL for cloud, local path for emulator
6. Timeout: 30s+ for real devices (slower than emulators)

Quick Reference

| Task | Code |
|------|------|
| Start Appium server | appium (CLI) or appium --relaxed-security |
| Install app | driver.installApp("/path/to/app.apk") |
| Launch app | driver.activateApp("com.example.app") |
| Background app | driver.runAppInBackground(Duration.ofSeconds(5)) |
| Screenshot | driver.getScreenshotAs(OutputType.FILE) |
| Device orientation | driver.rotate(ScreenOrientation.LANDSCAPE) |
| Hide keyboard | driver.hideKeyboard() |
| Push file (Android) | driver.pushFile("/sdcard/test.txt", bytes) |
| Context switch | driver.context("WEBVIEW_com.example") |
| Get contexts | driver.getContextHandles() |

Reference Files

| File | When to Read |
|------|-------------|
| reference/cloud-integration.md | App upload, real devices, capabilities |
| reference/python-patterns.md | Python + pytest-appium |
| reference/javascript-patterns.md | JS + WebdriverIO-Appium |
| reference/ios-specific.md | iOS-only patterns, XCUITest driver |
| reference/hybrid-apps.md | WebView testing, context switching |

Deep Patterns → `reference/playbook.md`

| § | Section | Lines |
|---|---------|-------|
| 1 | Project Setup & Capabilities | Maven, Android/iOS options |
| 2 | BaseTest with Thread-Safe Driver | ThreadLocal, multi-platform |
| 3 | Cross-Platform Page Objects | AndroidFindBy/iOSXCUITFindBy |
| 4 | Advanced Gestures (W3C Actions) | Swipe, long press, pinch zoom, scroll |
| 5 | WebView & Hybrid App Testing | Context switching |
| 6 | Device Interactions | Files, notifications, clipboard, geo |
| 7 | Parallel Device Execution | Multi-device TestNG XML |
| 8 | LambdaTest Real Device Cloud | Cloud grid integration |
| 9 | CI/CD Integration | GitHub Actions, emulator runner |
| 10 | Debugging Quick-Reference | 12 common problems |
| 11 | Best Practices Checklist | 13 items |

Limitations

Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.

Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.

Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.

appium-skill

Appium Automation Skill

When to Use

Step 1 — Execution Target

Step 2 — Platform Detection

Step 3 — Language Detection

Core Patterns — Java (Default)

Desired Capabilities — Android

Desired Capabilities — iOS

Locator Strategy Priority

Wait Strategy

Gestures

Anti-Patterns

Test Structure (JUnit 5)

TestMu AI Cloud — Quick Setup

Test Status Reporting

Validation Workflow

Quick Reference

Reference Files

Deep Patterns → reference/playbook.md

Limitations

Deep Patterns → `reference/playbook.md`