Logging in

In order to get started with Cycle, you will need to log into the User Portal. 

Log in to the User Portal using the link provided in the Welcome email to set up your credentials.

Every Cycle customer has an internal Admin user responsible for creating new Cycle users.  Admins can also edit and delete users at Manage > Users.

 

License Types

There are two types of Cycle licenses that you can be assigned: node-locked and floating-strict (team).

Node-locked

A node-locked license is a non-transferable license registered to one user on one machine for a specified number of days. Thus, multiple user accounts on the same machine will require multiple licenses.

Floating-strict (Team)

A floating-strict or team license is a transferable license that can be used non-concurrently by any user. By default, floating licenses are issued for 8 hours but can be issued for "x" number of days as well.

Note: If a company's maximum license quota has been reached and a user requests a floating license, the user will be denied.

 

Downloading Cycle

1. Once you have successfully logged in to the User Portal, download and install the newest version of Cycle. All stable versions of Cycle are available in the User Portal at Products > Cycle.
2. Run the install file, you will be given the option to choose where you install Cycle, it is recommended that you use the default location.
3. After you have successfully installed Cycle on your computer, open the Cycle application. When launching Cycle for the first time, a login window will appear requesting that you log in. Enter the same username and password used in the User Portal. Upon logging in correctly, your credentials will be stored to bypass this process for future sessions. 
   • Note: Version 2.6.0 of Cycle no longer prompts for a login to run locally.
4. When you have logged into the Cycle client successfully, Cycle will automatically request a license.

 

Web Driver Setup

In order to use Cycle web Steps, a web driver must be installed for Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Install drivers

With a Cycle Project open, click the Project Settings button:

For Cycle 2.3 and earlier the Project Settings button will be located here:

 

For Cycle 2.4 and later the Project Settings button (gear) will be located here:

Then navigate to:

Project Settings > Execution Settings > Web Drivers & Browser

The drivers can be found at the links below, or by using the Download WebDriver button within Cycle.

Chromedriver

InternetExplorerDriver

MicrosoftEdgeDriver

The Chrome webdriver is typically named chromedriver.exe, the Internet Explorer webdriver is typically named IEDriverServer.exe and the Microsoft Edge webdriver will be called MicrosoftWebDriver.exe.

These drivers can be saved anywhere on the hard drive, as long as you know the path to the location. Once you have downloaded a given webdriver, you will need to update the driver location in Cycle Settings. The location must be exact for each browser’s webdriver, and must include the name of the driver, as shown in the image below.

Step 2: Update browser settings

First, note that Cycle expects all web browsers to be installed in their default locations.

Chrome and Microsoft Edge

There are no browser settings that must be updated in Chrome or Edge.

Internet Explorer

In order for Cycle to work with the Internet Explorer web browser, you must open Internet Explorer and verify the following:

• First, in Internet Explorer, go to Settings > Zoom and ensure that zoom is set to 100%.
• Next, go to Settings > Internet Options > Security, and verify "Enable Protected Mode" is checked for the Internet, Local intranet, Trusted sites, and Restricted sites zones. It is recommended that “Enable Protected Mode” be kept on (checked), but it can also be turned off. If it is turned off, it must be unchecked for all four zones.
• Finally, add the sites you wish to access to the Trusted sites zone by going to Settings Menu > Internet Options > Security > Trusted sites and clicking the "Sites" button. Add the domain of the website you wish to access to the Trusted sites list. It is very important that you add the domains you wish to test to the Trusted sites list. You must also verify that the Security level for the Trusted sites zone is not set to “High”.

 

   

Creating a Project

To start you first project, click on the New Project button located in the Cycle Ribbon, or by going to File > New > Project.

Once a New Project has been created, the files and folders in the default Project template will populate the File Browser.  The files and folders included by default in the Project templates are designed to help you hit the ground running and stay organized.

Below is an example of the Project Directory when creating a new project name New_Project.

With the default file structure of a project it is easy to stay organized.  Feature Files should be saved in the Feature File folder, playlists should be saved in the playlist folder, images should be saved in the images folder, etc.

Execution settings can be customized within the project settings menu, this is the same location where web drivers are set.  Within this menu you can adjust step timings, database connections, failure settings, and much more.

How to create and run a Feature

Once you have a Project created, running your first Feature in easy.  Projects come with hello_world.feature as an example Feature, click on the Feature File within the Project Directory to open it.  Once the file is open, all you have to do is click the play button and the Feature will be executed.

The hello_world.feature is very simple Feature, feel free to play around with it to begin learning about Cycle! 

To begin creating your own Steps, the Cycle Step Guide is a helpful resource and can be accessed from the help menu:

 

For More Information Check Out These Links!

Help Center

User Manual

User Portal Guide