Live Debug allows you to interact with a test while it is running on Virtual Machines (VMs) in the Functionize Cloud. This provides a clean execution environment where you can quickly diagnose failures or modify tests.
We recommend Live Debug as the most robust method for updating a test case.
Live Debug can be used to:
- Diagnose failures in real time.
- Pause execution at specific steps using Breakpoints.
- Modify test workflows directly with Architect during execution.
- Run and debug Page Objects as well as full test cases.
Note: Tests may run more slowly in Live Debug or Live Execution mode compared to a Headless Run.
Starting a Live Debug Session
- Open the Test Detail page.
- From the Chrome tab, click Execution and select Live Debug.
- After the page refreshes, click Watch Now to view the execution.
Live Debug Controls
While running, you have full control over the test execution.
- Resume, restart, or stop the test.
- View time remaining before automatic resume and extend it if needed.
- Stop and fail the test and all subsequent steps.
- Clear breakpoints when paused.
- Close the Live Debug window (you can return anytime via Watch Now).
- See which step is currently executing.
- Hide the Architect window if not needed.
- Re-execute a specific action.
- Add or remove Breakpoints directly from the execution view.
- Use Quick Add to add new test actions or instructions when the execution is paused.
- Use Architect when paused to record new actions, if necessary.
Playback Options
- Pause anytime – Tests will auto-resume after 10 minutes unless extended.
- Extend pauses in 5-minute increments.
- After extended pauses, VMs may shut down automatically.
- Resume, restart, or stop a paused test.
- Paused test executions can be resumed from an earlier step.
- Safely leave the Live Debug window and return later via Watch Now.
Setting Breakpoints
Like a development IDE, you can set Breakpoints to manually pause execution.
Ways to set Breakpoints:
- From Test Detail – Hover over a step number, click the grey dot to set, and click the red dot to remove.
- During Live Debug – When paused, set/unset Breakpoints by clicking the dots in the execution view.
Editing Tests During Live Debug
When a test pauses (due to a Breakpoint or failure), Architect opens automatically. This allows you to record or insert new actions.
Live Debug with Breakpoint
- Execution pauses when reaching a Breakpoint.
- Click REC to record additional actions (do not clear cookies or HTML storage).
- Save changes.
- After a few seconds, new actions appear in the action slider panel.
Live Debug with Failed Action
- Execution pauses automatically at the failed step.
- Architect opens on that step.
- Click Record to capture corrective actions.
- Save changes — new actions are inserted immediately after the failed step.
Continuing Test Execution
- If you don’t need to modify the test, hide Architect by clicking its icon in the header.
- Resume execution from the current step, or from an earlier step (be sure the site is in the correct state or restart from a PageInit action).
Helpful Hints
- For the quickest launch, do not hardcode a Region. Let Functionize auto-select the Region with the most available resources (generally a US Region).
Updating Your Region
- From the Test Detail page, open the Settings menu → Test Settings.
- In the Advanced tab, check the Region field.
- If it shows Select Region, the test will auto-run in the best available Region.
- If a specific Region is set and not required, click the cross icon and reset to Select Region.
- Save your settings.
Diagnosing Tests with Live Debug
Live Debug gives you full browser control on a clean Functionize Cloud VM, allowing you to:
- Open Chrome Developer Tools.
- Inspect Console errors, Network calls, Page Source, and more.
- See exactly how your site behaves in a real execution environment.
Benefits of Live Debug
- Save time → No need to re-record the entire test.
- Simplify maintenance → Update only the failing steps.
- Improve accuracy → Immediate feedback ensures fixes are correct.
Debug faster → Especially useful for long tests.