What is the best way to document API test scenarios or test cases

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What is the best way to document API test scenarios or test cases.
In my experience, I have used Postman and Paw(Rapid API) for testing end points and have saved them as a collection. Whenever there is a change, open the collection and test it. However, testing an API is playing around with a combination of key- value pairs sent as part of Request and validating the response we get.
I am unsure how to document what we have tested and how to document what all are automated.

We have so many test management tools which are good to document UI test cases but I am unsure if they are good for APIs.

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Good day @preetig,

Creating test scenarios in an API domain can prove much more challenging and describe than those in a UI domain, especially when much of API testing entails dynamic inputs and outputs. Like you, I have made use of Postman and Paw (now a part of Rapid API) to create and save endpoint collections. These tools are perfect for running tests with a simple request and re-running when the endpoints have drastically changed.

Yet, documenting what we’ve tested for collaborative intentions, traceability, and audits is where collections sometimes fail.

Here is what I have seen that works:

1.Use a Test Management Tool That Supports API Test Cases

Many tools used for test management, such as TestRail, Zephyr, or Xray for Jira, are generally meant for UI testing but can be used for API testing by documenting:

  • API endpoint

  • HTTP Method (GET, POST, etc.)

  • Required headers/authentication

  • Input parameters (query/body/path)

  • Expected responses (status code, body schema, error messages)

  • Links to Postman/Paw collection or automation script

2.Document Automation Separately but Linked

If you automate an API test with tools like Postman (with Newman), RestAssured, or a CI/CD pipeline, maintain a separate and yet linked document/dashboard that lists which endpoints are covered by automation, specifies test coverage (positive, negative, edge cases), and pass or fail results over time (if integrated into CI/CD).

3.Using Postman for Lightweight Documentation

Postman allows you to describe each request one by-one and group them into a folder. A documentation page can then be published directly from your collection, which is helpful for both testers and developers. Just make sure the descriptions are meaningful, such as “Validates user creation with all required fields” rather than just “POST /createUser.”

4.Collaborative Wiki or Confluence Page

If you have a QA wiki (e.g., Confluence or Notion), create a high-level test plan or matrix:

  • Grouped by the module of the API (such as Auth APIs, User APIs)

  • Indication manual/automated for each endpoint, test data used, edge cases covered, open issues

5.Tagging or annotation inside code repositories

If the test automation is code-based (like with REST-assured, Karate, etc.), clearly commenting on the code, supplying README files, and tagging tests with custom annotations (such as smoke, regression, api-login) allow further maintainability and documentation.

So, in short, while traditional test case tools are UI-centric, with proper structuring, they could be mostly useful for API tests. The important aspect is consistency in documenting inputs, outputs, and test coverage and linking it to automation as much as possible.

Thanks,
Ramanan

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@preetig
In my experience, the coding or scripting of the API tests was good enough for the documentation. If better documentation is required, add detailed comments into your test code. In addition, your test code should be stored in a repository where again additional information can be stored.
These scripts, and hence your APIs, should be linked to functionality that allows you to gauge coverage if you are interested.
As with the age-old questions around test cases, what is the purpose of your documentation?

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Hey :slight_smile:

To keep it super easy and effortless: Create an Jira epic i-e: xyz API Collection - Add each /endpoint as a separate child ticket, add scenarios/test cases in that in child ticket.

Benefits:

  • Easy to maintain
  • Easy to track
  • Easy to remember

Keep that epic in confluence page with few details like: why have you created that epic and whats the expected outcome. (if you like, not necessary (You can consider confluence page as an executive summary)) as the details can be find in epic itself bit more technical.

You can export the JSON output to add in the ticket itself, and compare with the next outcome.

As it also depend upon what level of documentation is needed? :slight_smile: but hope above helps? :slight_smile:

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