[Tip] How to view screenshots in Katalon Studio

If you want to browse screenshots taken during Tests inside Katalon Studio, follow these instructions.

But first a cautionary note from our good friend Boromir:

image

The details below are intended as a workaround for a minor shortfall in the behavior of Katalon Studio. At some point, you can expect the Katalon Team to make the Test Explorer treat the Reports folder as a first-class citizen allowing you to browse and view any file in the Report folder directly from within Katalon Studio.

In particular, if you’re using Git, please read @Ibus’ warnings in the thread below. If your test environment falls under a similar setup, you would be best advised to wait for an update to Katalon Studio.

Otherwise, let’s get this show on the road…

On Windows: Create a JUNCTION

Open a command prompt and issue this command:

cd <your katalon project folder>
mklink /J my-reports Reports

On Linux: Create a SYMLINK

cd <your katalon project folder>
ln -s Reports my-reports 

These commands create a link between the real folder Reports and a virtual folder (aka shortcut) called my-reports. The link is created in your Katalon project folder so that it becomes visible in the Katalon Test Explorer.

Refresh Your Test Explorer

Due to a bug in Katalon Studio, to see your new my-reports folder in Test Explorer, you will need to close and reopen Katalon Studio.

Viewing images in Katalon Studio

4 Likes

@Russ_Thomas linux equivalent is a simlink (symbolic link)
some people name it softlink.

synopsis:

ln -s target link_name

always use -s, otherwise you are on your own.

https://linux.die.net/man/1/ln

1 Like

@Russ_Thomas kindly make a note that, proposed solutions are just workarounds.

creating symlinks inside the project can lead to some funny effects if some will try to commit/push back to git (if the case)

there are plenty inconsistencies in git clients, mostly caused by huge differences between file descriptors handling between m$ and *nix filesistems.
the right solution will be to patch katalon to be aware by such ‘ignored’ folders.

you have been warned!

I think you made the note :wink:

I was thinking similar thoughts… though I’ve never had issues with shortcuts on Windows (yet).

i give you a simple test : make whatever project in git. pull it linux ext4.
make two files:

abc
Abc

commit
push

now try to clone that on a windows machine on ntfs. you just unleashed the hell (more fun will be if Abc has different content than abc)

with symlinks/ junctions will be even more funny :smiley:

I don’t use git here. But from memory, I’d ignore shortcuts.

If you think the tip should be taken down, I’ll do that.

as long as you put a huge warning, it can stay … but can lead to undesired effects when some people work on the same code, from various platform.

i have been recently hit by such issue.

better put it into katalon dev team atention and hide it from ‘public eyes’

will be safest,imho

@devalex88 “liked” the suggestion here: View screenshot inside katalon studio - #2 by Russ_Thomas

1 Like

@Ibus Updated. Please review.

1 Like

@Russ_Thomas
looks better. with great workarounds came greater responsabilities.