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E2E API Testing in Cypress


Cypress can run full end-to-end API workflows without opening the browser UI. It’s fast and stable, and it’s a good skill to understand.


That said, for serious API testing at scale, Cypress is not the best tool. It works, but it gets clunky quickly. This post shows the approach and also explains where it makes sense (and where it doesn’t).


What “E2E API Test” Means Here


This type of test validates a full data lifecycle using only HTTP calls:

  1. Create auth token

  2. POST a new article

  3. GET to confirm it exists

  4. Extract slug from the response

  5. DELETE the article by slug

  6. GET again to confirm it’s gone


This proves the backend can create, return, and delete data correctly.


Why Do a GET After POST?


In real API testing, a 201 Created response from POST is not always enough.


A follow-up GET confirms:

  • the record is actually persisted

  • the record appears in the API the way a consumer expects

  • the title/fields match what was created


Example Code (Complete Flow)

Note: token usage must stay inside the .then() chain. The cleanest pattern is to keep the whole flow inside one chain so token and slug don't leak outside scope.

Why This is Nice


This full flow can run in about ~1 second.


Benefits:

  • fast feedback

  • stable tests (no DOM, no async UI waits)

  • strong data integrity validation

  • no browser overhead


This is also a good interview talking point because it shows:

  • understanding of auth + token handling

  • chaining API calls safely

  • validating lifecycle behavior, not just single endpoints


Where Cypress Becomes a Bad Fit


Cypress can do API-only tests, but it’s not built for it.


Common issues:

  • the chaining style gets messy fast when tests grow

  • running 20–30+ API tests in Cypress becomes painful to maintain

  • a browser-first framework adds overhead that API frameworks don’t need


For larger API suites, dedicated tools are usually a better choice:

  • Karate or Rest Assured (API-first frameworks)

  • Playwright (often more comfortable for API workflows than Cypress)


Takeaway


Cypress API-only E2E tests are great for:

  • quick backend smoke checks

  • creating confidence around critical workflows

  • combining with UI tests (API setup + UI validation)


But for a full API test suite, Cypress is usually not the best long-term solution.

 
 
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