Validate local storage values in your automated test
Local storage is a key part of how modern web applications manage client-side state. It holds data that persists across page loads and user sessions, such as tokens, preferences, feature flags, or UI state. When you automate user journeys, it is often important not just to interact with the interface but also to confirm that local storage contains the correct values at the right time.
The Check Local Storage step lets your test read values stored in the browser’s local storage and assert that they match expected results. This ensures your automation verifies both visible behaviour and application state behind the scenes.
Why local storage validation matters
Web applications frequently store critical information in local storage, including:
Authentication tokens
Session identifiers
UI preferences like themes
Feature flags
Cached API responses
User settings
If these values are incorrect, inconsistent, or missing entirely, your application may appear to work on the surface but behave incorrectly later. For example:
A missing token could prevent future API calls
Incorrect feature flags could enable or disable functionality unexpectedly
Persisted preferences might not be honoured on reload
By validating local storage inside your flow, you know not only that the UI worked, but that the state the app relies on is correct.
Precise assertions on stored data
The Check Local Storage step allows you to:
Specify the exact key to inspect
Assert that the stored value matches expectations
Fail the test if the value is missing or incorrect
Confirm persistence across navigation or reload
This makes your automation robust and aligned with how your application manages state.
For example:
After login, confirm a token key is present
After setting a preference, confirm it persists
After a redirect, confirm local storage still holds specific values
After logout, confirm storage keys are cleared
These validations help ensure state-based logic works consistently.
Use with dynamic and stored values
DoesQA’s value system lets you combine local storage checks with dynamic or stored values from earlier steps. For instance:
Extract a value from an API response
Store it in a test variable
Assert that local storage holds the same data
Continue your flow with confidence
This enables precise cross-step validation and better coverage of state-dependent logic.
Combine with other validation steps
Local storage assertions are often part of broader flows. After checking a key, you can follow up with:
UI assertions using Check Text
Form value checks with Check Value
Navigation assertions with Check Title
Browser script interactions
Conditional logic based on stored state
This makes your tests deep and meaningful, catching not just functional but state-dependent regressions.
Confidence in feature and session behaviour
As single-page applications and modern web frameworks become more common, local storage plays a bigger role in user experience. Automating checks against local storage gives you insight into the hidden state that drives behaviour. This helps ensure:
User flows do not break unexpectedly
Preferences persist as intended
Tokens and flags are managed correctly
App logic remains consistent across sessions
By validating local storage inside the broader automation context, you cover not only what users see, but the state that makes it work.