input

Introduction

input is a Flow Element that tells Flowstride to search specifically for input controls on the page.

Rather than searching every visible element, input narrows the search to input elements handled by Flowstride's locator engine. This makes your Scenarios easier to read, reduces ambiguity, and improves locator accuracy.

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Why Use the input Element?

Many pages contain a mixture of labels, buttons, links, and input controls.

By specifying input, you tell Flowstride that you're looking for a field intended to receive user input, allowing the locator engine to build a more precise search.

Compare:

flow.type "Email" "john@example.com";

with:

flow.type input "Email" "john@example.com";

The second version makes your intent much clearer and helps reduce ambiguity when multiple elements share the same visible text.

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How Flowstride Finds Input Controls

When you specify the input element, Flowstride uses its heuristic locator engine to search specifically for input controls.

Like every Flow Element, input also participates in:

• Heuristic element matching
• Ambiguity resolution
• Spatial selector resolution

This allows the same Scenario to remain readable while working across different UI implementations.

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Syntax

Type into an input

flow.type input "Email" "john@example.com";

Click an input

flow.click input "Search";

Verify an input is visible

flow.expect visible input "Password";

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Examples

Enter an email address

Feature: User Authentication

Scenario: Sign in

When "Enter the email address"
    flow.type input "Email" "john@example.com";

When "Enter the password"
    flow.type input "Password" "Password123";

Then "Continue with authentication"
    flow.click button "Login";

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Use a Spatial Selector

Flow Elements work seamlessly with Flowstride's spatial selectors.

Feature: User Registration

Scenario: Complete the registration form

When "Enter the first name"
    flow.type input "Name" under "First Name" "John";

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Reduce Ambiguity

Instead of:

flow.type "Email" "john@example.com";

use:

flow.type input "Email" "john@example.com";

to make it clear that the target is an input control.

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When to Use the input Element

Use input whenever you're interacting with a field that accepts user input.

Typical examples include:

• Login forms
• Registration forms
• Search boxes
• Contact forms
• Profile forms
• Authentication screens

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Important Notes

Input is a search hint

The input element narrows Flowstride's search to input controls handled by the locator engine.

Spatial selectors are supported

The input element works with all supported spatial selectors.

For example:

flow.type input "Email" under "Enter Email" "john@example.com";

flow.click input "Search" near "Products";

Reduces ambiguity

Specifying input narrows the search space.

When multiple elements contain the same text, using an element type helps Flowstride identify the intended control more accurately.

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Common Mistakes

Don't over-specify when unnecessary

Flowstride can often locate input controls without specifying an element type.

However, when multiple elements share the same visible text, using input makes your Scenario clearer and reduces ambiguity.

Combine with spatial selectors when needed

If multiple input controls match the same description, combine input with a spatial selector or an index.

For example:

flow.type input "Email" under "Billing Address" "London";

flow.type input "Email [1]" "john@example.com";

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