Cucumber in Test Automation: Bridging BDD and API Testing

In the current Agile and DevOps-driven pipelines, the need for collaborative, transparent, viable test automation has never been more pronounced. Cucumber is one of the popular choices in this space, and it is now possible to write BDD approach-based test cases in plain English.

However, it’s mainly for UI testing, but Cucumber also has a strong role in API automation testing. This post discusses Cucumber’s role in a modern test automation approach and how you can use it to verify APIs with concision and clarity.

What is Cucumber in Test Automation?

Cucumber is a BDD tool, an open-source testing framework. It enables stakeholders to write executable test scenarios in Gherkin Format. These scenarios are defined in code so that not only developers but also non-technical team members can contribute to test creation and execution.

Core components of Cucumber

• Feature Files: Describe system behaviors using Given–When–Then
• Step Definitions: Code that executes the steps in the feature file
• Hooks: Optional blocks for setup and teardown actions
• Tags: Used to categorize and filter tests (e.g., @api, @regression)

To get an in-depth overview of how Cucumber works, refer to the Cucumber Testing Framework, which details its architecture, benefits, and best practices.

Why Use Cucumber for API Testing?

API testing typically focuses on validating the response, status codes, headers, and data returned from endpoints. While there are several libraries available for direct API testing, integrating Cucumber adds the benefit of readable, business-aligned specifications.

Benefits of using Cucumber for API testing

• Improves collaboration between testers, developers, and business analysts
• Provides documentation through test scenarios
• Encourages reuse of test steps across scenarios
• Supports end-to-end test automation for microservices and integrations

Designing API Scenarios Using Cucumber and Gherkin

A Cucumber-based API test scenario can be created in a way that resembles user requirements. Here’s a simple example:

Feature File:

Feature: Customer API

Scenario: Fetch customer details by ID

Given the customer service is available

When I request customer details for ID 123

Then the response should return status 200

And the response should include the customer name “John Doe”

Step Definition:

@When(“I request customer details for ID {int}”)

public void requestCustomerDetails(int customerId) {

response = given()

.when()

.get(“/customers/” + customerId);

This approach allows developers to write robust tests, while stakeholders can review and validate the expected behavior without needing to understand code.

How Cucumber Enhances API Automation Strategy?

Promotes test clarity

Scenarios written in Gherkin are self-explanatory. Even complex API workflows are easier to explain, verify, and maintain.

Enables reusability

Common API operations such as authentication, GET, POST, and error handling can be reused across hundreds of test cases.

Supports multiple environments

With proper configuration, the same tests can be executed in development, staging, or production-like environments.

Fosters CI/CD integration

Cucumber tests can be run as part of continuous integration pipelines. The use of tags allows selective execution based on release scope.

How Cucumber Compares to Other API Automation Tools

Cucumber stands out when teams need shared understanding and traceability between business requirements and technical validation.

Role of ACCELQ in Supporting API Test Automation

While Cucumber provides a framework for structured test design, tools like ACCELQ bring low-code automation, intelligent test generation, and integrated API validation to the table.

ACCELQ supports the automation of complex API workflows without scripting. It allows teams to build, execute, and maintain API tests using natural language, bridging the gap between manual QA and technical automation.

Combined with Cucumber-style behavior modeling, ACCELQ enhances the end-to-end testing process and helps scale automation across teams and services. Explore the API Automation Testing resource, which dives into frameworks, workflows, and reporting options.

Conclusion

Cucumber’s plain-language approach makes it an ideal tool for building collaborative, scalable test automation. While many associate it with UI automation, its strength in API testing is increasingly valuable in today’s microservices and cloud-native architectures.

By aligning tests with business behaviors and making them readable across the organization, Cucumber supports better coverage, faster feedback, and improved product confidence. When combined with robust automation platforms like ACCELQ, it becomes a powerful part of any quality engineering strategy.