Environment setup in .NET Core Web API involves installing and configuring the tools needed for development. This includes setting up the .NET SDK, a code editor or IDE like Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code, and optionally a database server such as SQL Server. You also configure environment variables and ensure the .NET CLI is working properly. A proper setup ensures a smooth workflow for building, running, and testing Web API projects.

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing, interfaces, and modern features for building reliable automation scripts. It helps catch errors early through type checking and makes code easier to maintain and scale. In automation, TypeScript is used with tools like Node.js, Playwright, or Protractor to create robust scripts with better structure and reusability. It combines the flexibility of JavaScript with the safety and clarity of strong typing.

In automation, selectors are used to locate elements on a web page, such as buttons, inputs, or links. Common selector types include ID, class, name, CSS selectors, and XPath. Once elements are identified, element actions like click(), type(), select(), and hover() are performed to interact with them. Understanding selectors and actions is essential for building accurate and reliable automation scripts that mimic real user behavior.

Waits in WebdriverIO ensure that automation scripts pause until elements or conditions are ready before performing actions. This prevents errors caused by slow-loading pages or dynamic content. WebdriverIO supports implicit waits, which apply globally, and explicit waits, which target specific conditions using commands like waitForDisplayed() or waitUntil(). Proper use of waits makes tests stable, reliable, and timing-independent.

In WebdriverIO, Page Object Model (POM) is a design pattern that organizes test code by separating page elements and actions from the actual test logic. Each page of the application has its own class file containing locators and reusable methods. Test specs then call these methods to perform actions and validations. This approach improves readability, maintainability, and scalability of test scripts, especially for large automation projects.

In WebdriverIO, Mocha is used as the test framework and Chai as the assertion library. Mocha defines the structure of tests using functions like describe() and it(), while Chai provides readable assertions such as expect() or should() to verify outcomes. Together, they make tests organized, expressive, and easy to debug, forming the core of a clean and maintainable automation setup.

Advanced browser handling in WebdriverIO involves managing complex browser interactions and behaviors beyond basic navigation. This includes handling multiple windows or tabs, alerts, iframes, cookies, and browser sessions. It also covers executing custom JavaScript, managing browser storage, and capturing screenshots or logs for debugging. Mastering these techniques ensures robust, flexible, and real-world automation testing.

Test reports in WebdriverIO provide a clear summary of test execution results, including passed, failed, and skipped tests. They help track progress, identify issues, and ensure test reliability. WebdriverIO supports various reporting tools like Allure Report, Spec Reporter, and JSON Reporter, which offer detailed logs, screenshots, and execution timelines. Well-structured reports make debugging easier and test outcomes more transparent.