Close the current browser tab during your test
Automated tests often open multiple tabs as part of real user journeys. For example, your test might:
Open a link that opens in a new tab
Navigate to an external verification page
Load documentation or third-party content
Trigger flows that spawn additional browser contexts
Once you’ve finished interacting with those tabs, you may need to return focus to a primary tab and continue the remainder of your flow. The Browser Close Tab step lets you close the current tab cleanly and move on to the next relevant context.
Stay in control of tab navigation
Many web applications open new content in separate browser tabs. While this is normal for real users, it can complicate automated flows if tabs are left open or focus is lost.
By closing the current tab explicitly:
You avoid tests continuing in the wrong context
You reduce confusion when multiple tabs are open
You ensure subsequent actions apply to the intended page
You keep test results easy to interpret
This is especially useful when the next step should operate back in the original tab rather than in the newly opened one.
Typical use cases
The Browser Close Tab step is often used after:
Clicking a link that opens in a new tab
Visiting external authorization pages
Downloading content that spawns a separate tab
Following redirect flows during OAuth or SSO
Viewing help or documentation from within your app
Once the action in the new tab is complete, closing it and returning focus to your main flow keeps the automation logical and predictable.
Seamless continuation of your flow
After closing the current tab, your test can:
Switch focus back to the next open tab
Perform actions like clicks or form fills
Assert on primary content
Continue navigation
Validate page state
Because this step is part of the DoesQA flow structure, it integrates cleanly with other browser actions like:
Open URL
Open new tab links
Navigate back
Check text or values
Run browser scripts
This gives your test full control over tab context without confusing results.
Improve test clarity and maintainability
Explicitly closing tabs is not just about technical necessity. It also makes your flows easier to read and understand. Future reviewers can clearly see where a temporary browser context was opened and intentionally closed.
This improves:
Test readability
Test maintenance
Debugging clarity
Collaboration across teams
Tests that manage context explicitly are stronger documentation of user behaviour as well as reliable automation.
Closing the current tab when you are done with it helps ensure your flows stay predictable, maintainable, and aligned with real world browser usage.