LambdaTest - Complete Student Guide

Get free access to LambdaTest Live plan through the GitHub Student Developer Pack for comprehensive cross-browser and mobile testing in the cloud.

What is LambdaTest?

LambdaTest is a cloud-based testing platform that allows developers and QA teams to test websites and mobile applications across 3000+ browsers, browser versions, and operating systems. It provides both manual live testing and automated testing capabilities without the need to maintain physical devices or virtual machines.

Key Features

• Live Interactive Testing: Manual testing on real browsers and devices
• Automated Testing: Run Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and other automated tests
• Real Device Testing: Test on actual mobile devices, not just emulators
• Screenshots Testing: Capture screenshots across multiple browsers simultaneously
• Responsive Testing: Test responsive designs across different screen sizes
• Geolocation Testing: Test from different geographic locations
• Network Simulation: Test under various network conditions
• Bug Tracking Integration: Connect with Jira, Slack, Trello, and other tools

What You Get with Student Pack

• Free Live Plan: Access to live interactive testing for 1 year
• Browser Coverage: Test on 3000+ browser and OS combinations
• Mobile Testing: Access to real iOS and Android devices
• Screenshot Testing: Bulk screenshot capture across browsers
• Basic Automation: Limited automated testing capabilities
• Recording Features: Screen recording and video logs of test sessions

How to Redeem LambdaTest

Step 1: Verify Your GitHub Student Pack

1. Go to GitHub Education
2. Click “Get Student Benefits”
3. Verify your student status with a valid .edu email or student ID
4. Wait for approval (usually 1-7 business days)

Step 2: Access the LambdaTest Offer

1. Once approved, visit your GitHub Student Pack dashboard
2. Find “LambdaTest” in the partner offers list
3. Click “Get access” or “Redeem offer”
4. You’ll be redirected to LambdaTest’s student redemption page

Step 3: Activate Your LambdaTest Account

1. Create a new LambdaTest account using your student email address
2. Or log in to your existing LambdaTest account
3. Apply the student promotional code provided
4. Verify your email address when prompted
5. Complete the account setup and start testing!

Getting Started with LambdaTest

Live Interactive Testing

1. Start a session: Choose browser, OS, and screen resolution
2. Enter URL: Navigate to your website or application
3. Test functionality: Interact with your site as users would
4. Record issues: Use built-in tools to mark bugs and issues
5. Generate reports: Download test session recordings and screenshots

Setting Up Your First Test

Live Browser Testing

1. Log into your LambdaTest dashboard
2. Click “Real Time Testing” > “Browser Testing”
3. Select desired browser, version, and operating system
4. Enter your website URL or upload HTML files
5. Click “Start” to launch the testing session

Mobile Device Testing

1. Navigate to “Real Time Testing” > “App Testing”
2. Choose iOS or Android device
3. Upload your app or enter URL for web testing
4. Select device model and OS version
5. Begin testing on real mobile devices

Automated Testing Integration

Selenium WebDriver

// Java example for LambdaTest Selenium Grid
DesiredCapabilities caps = new DesiredCapabilities();
caps.setCapability("browserName", "Chrome");
caps.setCapability("version", "latest");
caps.setCapability("platform", "Windows 10");
caps.setCapability("build", "Student Project Build");
caps.setCapability("name", "Test Case Name");

String username = "your_username";
String accessKey = "your_access_key";
String hub = "@hub.lambdatest.com/wd/hub";

WebDriver driver = new RemoteWebDriver(new URL("https://" + username + ":" + accessKey + hub), caps);

Cypress Integration

// cypress.config.js
module.exports = {
  e2e: {
    setupNodeEvents(on, config) {
      // LambdaTest configuration
      return require('./cypress/plugins/index.js')(on, config)
    },
    baseUrl: 'https://your-app.com',
    video: true,
    screenshotOnRunFailure: true
  }
}

Playwright Testing

// playwright.config.js
module.exports = {
  use: {
    browserName: 'chromium',
    headless: false,
    viewport: { width: 1280, height: 720 },
    screenshot: 'only-on-failure',
    video: 'retain-on-failure'
  },
  projects: [
    {
      name: 'chromium',
      use: { ...devices['Desktop Chrome'] }
    },
    {
      name: 'firefox',
      use: { ...devices['Desktop Firefox'] }
    }
  ]
}

Best Practices

• Test Early: Run cross-browser tests during development, not just at the end
• Prioritize Browsers: Focus on browsers your target audience uses most
• Use Real Devices: Test on actual mobile devices for accurate results
• Document Issues: Use LambdaTest’s bug reporting tools for clear issue tracking
• Automate Regression Tests: Set up automated tests for critical user flows
• Test Different Networks: Use network throttling to test various connection speeds

Common Testing Scenarios

Cross-browser Compatibility

• Test CSS layouts and responsive designs
• Verify JavaScript functionality across browsers
• Check form submissions and user interactions
• Validate third-party integrations

Mobile Testing

• Touch gestures and mobile navigation
• Performance on different screen sizes
• Mobile-specific features (camera, GPS, etc.)
• Progressive Web App (PWA) functionality

Performance Testing

• Page load times across different environments
• Resource loading and optimization
• Network condition simulation
• Geographic location testing

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Session Won’t Start

• Check your internet connection and browser compatibility
• Verify your account has remaining session minutes
• Clear browser cache and disable extensions
• Try a different browser or incognito mode

Mobile App Testing Issues

• Ensure your app file is properly uploaded and not corrupted
• Check app compatibility with selected device OS version
• Verify app permissions and configurations
• Try testing on different device models

Automated Test Failures

• Verify your WebDriver setup and capabilities configuration
• Check LambdaTest hub URL and authentication credentials
• Review test timeouts and wait conditions
• Monitor test execution logs for specific error messages

Getting Help

• Visit LambdaTest Documentation
• Check the LambdaTest Help Center
• Join the LambdaTest Community
• Contact GitHub Education support for Student Pack issues

Advanced Features

Integrations

CI/CD Pipeline Integration

• Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
• Automated test execution on code commits
• Parallel test execution for faster feedback
• Test result reporting and notifications

Bug Tracking Tools

• Jira, Azure DevOps, Linear
• Automatic bug creation with screenshots
• Test session recordings attached to tickets
• Collaborative issue resolution

Communication Tools

• Slack, Microsoft Teams notifications
• Real-time test result sharing
• Team collaboration on test findings
• Automated reporting to stakeholders

Test Analytics

• Test Session Reports: Detailed logs and recordings
• Browser Usage Analytics: Insights into browser performance
• Test Execution Trends: Track testing patterns over time
• Performance Metrics: Page load times and resource usage

Security and Compliance

• Secure Testing Environment: Isolated test sessions
• Data Privacy: No data retention after test completion
• Enterprise Security: SOC 2 compliance and security certifications
• Network Security: Secure tunneling for local development testing

Make the most of your free LambdaTest Live plan by implementing comprehensive cross-browser testing practices that ensure your web applications work flawlessly for all users!