Implementation:Getgauge Taiko Code Command

Knowledge Sources	Taiko
Domains	Browser_Automation, Testing, Code_Generation
Last Updated	2026-02-12 00:00 GMT

Overview

Concrete tool for generating runnable JavaScript scripts and Gauge step templates from recorded REPL commands, provided by the Taiko library.

Description

The .code and .step REPL commands are custom commands registered during REPL initialization that convert the accumulated history of interactive commands into structured, reusable code. Together they form the code generation capability of Taiko's REPL.

The .code Command

The .code command generates a complete, runnable Taiko script from all commands entered during the current REPL session. The generated script includes:

A require('taiko') import statement that destructures only the Taiko functions actually used during the session (derived from the taikoCommands[] list).
An async IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression) wrapper that serves as the script's entry point.
A try/catch block for error handling, logging any errors to the console.
A closeBrowser() call in the finally block to ensure the browser is always cleaned up.
All recorded commands from the commands[] array, placed inside the try block.

The .step Command

The .step command generates a Gauge step template suitable for use in Gauge test automation projects. The generated template:

Excludes openBrowser and closeBrowser calls, since these are typically handled by Gauge hooks rather than individual steps.
Wraps the remaining commands in a step("", async function() { ... }) template.
Provides a placeholder step name that the user fills in to match their Gauge specification.

Both commands can either print to the console (when called with no arguments) or write to a file (when a filename is provided as an argument).

Usage

Use .code during or after a REPL session to capture your interactive exploration as a reusable script. Use .step to generate Gauge step implementations from your interactive session. Both commands are available only within the Taiko REPL.

Code Reference

Source Location

Repository: Taiko
File: lib/repl/repl.js

.code Command

Command definition: L109-119
code() function: L164-191

.step Command

Command definition: L120-130
step() function: L193-216

Dependencies

fs-extra — used for writing generated code to files when a filename argument is provided
commands[] — internal array that accumulates all commands entered during the REPL session
taikoCommands[] — internal list tracking which Taiko API functions have been used

I/O Contract

.code Inputs

Name	Type	Required	Description
filename	string	No	Optional file path passed as argument to `.code`. When provided, the generated script is written to this file instead of printed to the console.

.code Outputs

Name	Type	Description
generated script	string	A complete, runnable JavaScript file containing: a destructured `require('taiko')` import, an async IIFE wrapper, a try/catch/finally block with all recorded commands, and `closeBrowser()` in the finally block.

.step Inputs

Name	Type	Required	Description
filename	string	No	Optional file path passed as argument to `.step`. When provided, the generated step template is written to this file instead of printed to the console.

.step Outputs

Name	Type	Description
generated template	string	A Gauge step template containing: a `step()` function wrapper with a placeholder step name, all recorded commands except `openBrowser`/`closeBrowser`, formatted as an async function body.

Usage Examples

Interactive REPL Session

// In a Taiko REPL session, first perform some actions:
> openBrowser()
> goto('example.com')
> click('Login')
> write('admin', into(textBox('Username')))
> write('password123', into(textBox('Password')))
> click('Submit')

Generate Script to Console

// Print the generated script to the console
> .code

This produces output similar to:

const { openBrowser, goto, click, write, into, textBox, closeBrowser } = require('taiko');

(async () => {
  try {
    await openBrowser();
    await goto('example.com');
    await click('Login');
    await write('admin', into(textBox('Username')));
    await write('password123', into(textBox('Password')));
    await click('Submit');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  } finally {
    await closeBrowser();
  }
})();

Save Script to File

// Write the generated script to a file
> .code my_test.js

Generate Gauge Step Template

// Print a Gauge step template to the console
> .step