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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRegister cy.intercept() before the request happens, match the request you want, and provide a static response or handler. Give the route an alias, trigger the request, then use cy.wait('@alias') to inspect the request and response. For requests made as the page starts up, install the intercept before cy.visit().
Stub a request with a static response
This example returns predictable user data for a GET request. The method, URL, response body, alias, and wait all work together:
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cy.intercept('GET', '/api/users', {
statusCode: 200,
body: [{ id: 1, name: 'Ada' }],
}).as('getUsers')
cy.visit('/users')
cy.wait('@getUsers')
.its('response.statusCode')
.should('eq', 200)Place the intercept before the action that triggers the request. If the application fetches users during initialization, register the route before cy.visit(), as above. Cypress clears intercepts before each test, so define them in every test that needs them or in suitable test setup. Cypress API documentation
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Match a specific method and URL
For one known endpoint, use an exact URL and method. If you omit the method, Cypress matches all HTTP methods by default; specifying it avoids catching unrelated traffic.
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cy.intercept('GET', '/api/users', {
statusCode: 200,
body: [{ id: 1, name: 'Ada' }],
}).as('getUsers')Match query strings or variable URLs
When the application adds query parameters or identifiers, use a glob, regular expression, or RouteMatcher. Route matcher strings follow Cypress minimatch behavior. All fields supplied to a RouteMatcher must match.
cy.intercept({
method: 'GET',
pathname: '/api/users',
query: { active: 'true' },
}, { fixture: 'active-users.json' }).as('activeUsers')Other matcher fields include hostname, path, headers, and additional request constraints. Use only the fields that reflect the request your test intends to catch. RouteMatcher reference
Return fixture data or configure a static response
Use a fixture
For a stable response stored with the test, refer to the fixture in the intercept:
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cy.intercept('GET', '/api/users', { fixture: 'users.json' }).as('getUsers')Fixtures make test input explicit and reusable. For binary files such as PDFs or MP4s where the exact bytes matter, Cypress warns that the default UTF-8 handling may be unsuitable. Specify null encoding in the fixture reference, for example fixture: 'media/file.pdf,null'. Cypress fixture documentation
Set response behavior
A StaticResponse can set a response body, status code, headers, fixture, delay, throttle rate, or a forced network error. Choose the smallest response configuration that represents the condition under test; a forced error or delay is useful when the test specifically covers those states.
Use a handler for request-dependent behavior
A route handler is useful when the response depends on the outgoing request, or when the test needs to inspect or change that request. Use req.reply() to end the request with a stubbed response, or req.continue() to forward it to the destination, optionally handling the response.
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cy.intercept('POST', '/api/users', (req) => {
expect(req.body).to.have.property('name')
req.reply({ statusCode: 201, body: { id: 42, ...req.body } })
}).as('createUser')Matching routes are processed in reverse definition order, except middleware routes, which run first. Calling req.reply() ends the request phase and prevents propagation to later matching handlers. Keep route order and termination behavior in mind if multiple intercepts can match the same request. Handler and route-order details
Wait for the request and assert on its result
cy.intercept() itself yields null; it does not yield the intercepted request. Alias the route and wait for it after the action that should make the request. cy.wait('@alias') yields an interception object with request and response details.
cy.get('button').contains('Save').click()
cy.wait('@createUser').then(({ request, response }) => {
expect(request.body).to.have.property('name')
expect(response.statusCode).to.eq(201)
})Assert on meaningful behavior such as request.body, response.statusCode, or response.body. Waiting on the alias synchronizes the test with the matching request-response cycle instead of relying on an arbitrary fixed sleep. Cypress also documents waiting for intercepted requests that finish with a network error. Waiting and interception object reference
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Choose between a stub and the real backend
Stub when the test needs deterministic data or an edge state that is inconvenient to create through the application. Use the real backend when the test must exercise integrated behavior or backend logic. Cypress supports both approaches, and they can be mixed across a suite.
| Consideration | Stubbed response | Real backend |
|---|---|---|
| Determinism | Response is controlled by the test. | Depends on backend state and behavior. |
| Backend coverage | Does not exercise the destination service for the stubbed request. | Exercises the server response and integrated behavior. |
| Creating a specific state | Can directly supply the desired response or edge case. | May require seeded test data and adherence to application business logic. |
| Maintenance | Requires maintaining fixtures or handler logic that represents expected data. | May require maintaining data-seeding scripts and backend test setup. |
Cypress’s Real World App end-to-end tests predominantly use server responses and stub only on a few occasions for convenient edge cases. That is a useful distinction: stubbing is a control for targeted test cases, not a substitute for every test that should verify the integrated application. Cypress network requests guide
Troubleshoot common intercept problems
- The request is not captured: register the intercept before the request. For initialization traffic, add it before
cy.visit(); also verify that the method and URL or matcher fields match the actual request. - The route catches unexpected traffic: add an explicit HTTP method, since omitting it matches all methods, and narrow the URL or matcher fields.
cy.intercept()appears to return no request: that command yieldsnull. Add an alias and inspect the cycle withcy.wait('@alias').- A binary fixture is corrupted or not served as expected: for supported binary cases such as PDF or MP4, use the null encoding suffix, for example
media/file.pdf,null. - A later handler does not run: check whether an earlier matching route called
req.reply(), which ends the request phase, and account for reverse definition order and middleware routes. - A stub persists only in some tests: Cypress clears intercepts before each test. Register required routes again in each test or its appropriate setup.
- A test passes with a stub but misses a backend defect: add or retain tests that reach the real server for behavior the stubbed test cannot validate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does cy.intercept() work for requests made during page initialization?
Yes. Register the intercept before calling cy.visit() so it is in place before initialization requests fire.
Can cy.wait() observe a request that ends in a network error?
Yes. Cypress documents waiting for intercepted requests that end in a network error; inspect the yielded interception for the outcome.
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