AI-Generated Assertions & Live Perception

During web test recording, Robonito's Live Perception Engine continuously inspects the active document object model (DOM), computed geometry, and element states. Instead of manually composing complex XPath or CSS selector rules, you can use the Suggestion Bulb to insert pre-filled, confidence-ranked validation assertions with a single click.

What are AI-Generated Assertions?

When you hover over elements or interact with dynamic components during a recording session, Robonito analyzes the element's visual perceptibility, accessible name, text content, and visibility state.

The engine then surfaces a floating Suggestion Bulb containing context-aware assertion chips tailored to that exact element:

  • Element Visible: Offered when an element is visibly rendered on the viewport.
  • Element Exists: Validates that the element exists in the DOM regardless of display state.
  • Text Equals / Contains: Pre-populated with the exact text or label currently perceived by the engine.
  • Element Hidden / Stays Hidden: When an element is present in the DOM but cannot be seen by the user, Robonito explains why (e.g., zero-size, transparent, detached, or obscured) and offers an honest "Element Hidden" assertion rather than an assertion that would fail at playback.
  • Held-Open Tooltips & Hover Overlays: Accurately pins and validates dynamic tooltips and hover menus using Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) forced pseudo-states.

AI assertion suggestion dialog during recording showing AI-proposed validations

How Live Perceptibility Works

Robonito differentiates between simple programmatic DOM presence and real human perceptibility:

Perceived StateOffered Assertion ChipConfidence RatingBehavior & Explanation
Fully VisibleVisibleHigh (0.85)Verifies the element is rendered, non-transparent, and has measurable dimensions in the viewport.
Visible via HoverVisible (Hover Held)High (0.85)Explains that the element is currently visible because a hover trigger is actively held open.
Element HiddenStays HiddenHigh (0.80)Explains why the element is hidden (e.g., transparent, hidden, not-rendered, no-size, detached).
Text ContentAssert Text: "<value>"DynamicPre-fills the exact visible string extracted from the element. If the element is hidden, confidence is lowered with an explanation.
DOM ExistenceExistsMedium (0.30)Asserts presence in the DOM without requiring visual rendering.

How to Use Suggestions During Recording

Follow these steps to add AI-generated assertions during an active web recording session:

Step 1: Hover Over the Target Element

In the recording browser window, move your pointer over the element you want to validate (e.g., a success alert, a user profile name, a shopping cart badge, or a dropdown menu).

Step 2: Open the Suggestion Bulb

Hovering near the element displays the Suggestion Bulb icon next to the element highlight box:

  1. Click the Bulb icon to reveal the contextual suggestion popover.
  2. Review the offered assertion chips and confidence ratings.
  3. If an element is hidden or transient, a callout banner at the top of the popover explains its exact state (e.g., "Element has zero height and is not perceptible to users").

Step 3: Click to Open the Pre-Filled Assertion Modal

Clicking any suggestion chip (e.g., Assert Text or Assert Visible) immediately opens the Add Assertion Modal:

  • The modal opens directly on the corresponding assertion card (e.g., UI Assertion, Text Assertion).
  • The target selector, condition, operator, and expected values are already filled in based on the live perception data.

Step 4: Confirm and Save

  1. Review the pre-filled fields. You can adjust the expected text or operator if needed.
  2. Click Save Assertion.
  3. Robonito commits the assertion into your test step sequence and automatically resumes standard recording mode.

Handling Hover Menus and Tooltips

Testing dynamic navigation menus or informational tooltips is often difficult because moving the mouse away to click an "Assert" button can cause the menu to disappear.

Robonito solves this automatically:

  1. Hover over the trigger element (e.g., "Products" dropdown or info icon).
  2. Robonito pins the :hover pseudo-state using Chrome DevTools Protocol to keep the menu or tooltip rendered on screen.
  3. You can click the Suggestion Bulb on the revealed menu items or tooltip text without the menu collapsing.
  4. Once the assertion is saved, the hover pin releases and normal interaction resumes.

Best Practices

  • Use Suggestions for Dynamic Data: When validating dynamic outputs (e.g., order reference numbers, dates, status badges), click the text suggestion chip to capture the exact string format without typing mistakes.
  • Validate Negative States with "Element Hidden": When checking that a modal has closed or an error alert has vanished, choose the Element Hidden suggestion rather than asserting text on an invisible element.
  • Combine with Smart Assertions: If you need to test a complex visual rule that spans multiple conditions (e.g., "Button should be disabled until terms are accepted"), use Smart Assertions for plain-English AI evaluation.