How to Specify axeDevToolsMobile Plugin to WebdriverIO Appium Service: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of struggling to configure axeDevToolsMobile plugin with WebdriverIO Appium service? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you by the hand and walk you through the process of specifying axeDevToolsMobile plugin to WebdriverIO Appium service. By the end of this article, you’ll be a pro at integrating axeDevToolsMobile with WebdriverIO, ensuring your mobile application is accessible and compliant with accessibility standards.

What is axeDevToolsMobile?

axeDevToolsMobile is a powerful plugin that extends WebdriverIO’s capabilities to test mobile applications for accessibility. It provides a set of tools to identify accessibility issues, including but not limited to, contrast ratio, color blindness, and screen reader compatibility. By integrating axeDevToolsMobile with WebdriverIO, you can ensure your mobile application meets the highest accessibility standards.

Why Use axeDevToolsMobile with WebdriverIO Appium Service?

WebdriverIO is a popular test automation framework for mobile applications, and axeDevToolsMobile is a natural extension to its capabilities. By using axeDevToolsMobile with WebdriverIO Appium service, you can:

• Automate accessibility testing for your mobile application
• Identify and fix accessibility issues early in the development cycle
• Ensure compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.1 and Section 508
• Improve the overall user experience for users with disabilities

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• Node.js installed on your system
• Appium installed and configured on your system
• axeDevToolsMobile plugin installed using npm or yarn

Step 1: Create a New WebdriverIO Project

Open your terminal and create a new WebdriverIO project using the following command:

npx wdio config -y

This will create a basic WebdriverIO project structure with a `wdio.conf.js` file.

Step 2: Install axeDevToolsMobile Plugin

If you haven’t already, install the axeDevToolsMobile plugin using npm or yarn:

npm install @axe-devtools/mobile-plugin

or

yarn add @axe-devtools/mobile-plugin

Step 3: Configure axeDevToolsMobile Plugin in WebdriverIO

In the `wdio.conf.js` file, add the following configuration:

exports.config = {
  // ... other configurations ...
  services: [['appium', {
    // ... other appium configurations ...
    plugins: ['@axe-devtools/mobile-plugin']
  }]]
};

This tells WebdriverIO to use the axeDevToolsMobile plugin with the Appium service.

Step 4: Specify axeDevToolsMobile Plugin Options

In the `wdio.conf.js` file, add the following configuration to specify axeDevToolsMobile plugin options:

exports.config = {
  // ... other configurations ...
  services: [['appium', {
    // ... other appium configurations ...
    plugins: ['@axe-devtools/mobile-plugin'],
    axeDevToolsMobile: {
      // specify axeDevToolsMobile options here
      output: 'json',
      rules: ['rule1', 'rule2']
    }
  }]]
};

In this example, we’re specifying the output format as JSON and enabling two rules, `rule1` and `rule2`. You can customize these options to suit your needs.

Step 5: Write Test Scripts

Create a new test script using WebdriverIO’s API:

const { browser } = require('webdriverio');

describe('Accessibility Test', () => {
  it('should test accessibility of login page', async () => {
    await browser.url('https://example.com/login');
    await browser. axeDevToolsMobile('login-form');
  });
});

In this example, we’re using the `axeDevToolsMobile` command to test the accessibility of the login page.

Step 6: Run Tests

Run your tests using the following command:

npx wdio

This will execute your test script and provide you with accessibility results.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the setup process, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

Error	Solution
axeDevToolsMobile plugin not found	Ensure you have installed the axeDevToolsMobile plugin correctly using npm or yarn.
Appium service not started	Ensure you have started the Appium service before running your tests.
Accessibility results not generated	Check your axeDevToolsMobile plugin options and ensure the output format is set correctly.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully specified axeDevToolsMobile plugin to WebdriverIO Appium service. By following these steps, you can ensure your mobile application meets the highest accessibility standards. Remember to customize the axeDevToolsMobile plugin options to suit your needs and write comprehensive test scripts to cover all aspects of your application.

Happy testing!

1. axeDevToolsMobile Plugin Documentation
2. WebdriverIO Documentation
3. Appium Documentation

Frequently Asked Question

Are you having trouble setting up axeDevToolsMobile plugin with your WebdriverIO Appium service? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the answers to your most pressing questions: