Solving the Cypress-Firebase Emulator Default Credentials Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you stuck with the frustrating “default credentials error” when trying to integrate Cypress with Firebase Emulator? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you by the hand and walk you through the solution, step-by-step. By the end of this article, you’ll be running Cypress tests with Firebase Emulator like a pro!

What’s causing the default credentials error?

The default credentials error occurs when Cypress tries to access the Firebase Emulator using the default credentials, which are not set correctly. This error usually pops up when you’re trying to run Cypress tests with Firebase Emulator for the first time. Don’t worry, it’s an easy fix!

Understanding the Firebase Emulator and Cypress integration

Firebase Emulator is a fantastic tool that allows you to run your Firebase project locally, making it easier to test and develop your application. Cypress, on the other hand, is a popular testing framework that helps you write end-to-end tests for your web application. When you integrate Cypress with Firebase Emulator, you can write tests that simulate real-user interactions with your app.

However, to make this integration work seamlessly, you need to set up the default credentials correctly. That’s where things can go wrong, and you might encounter the default credentials error.

Solving the default credentials error

Don’t worry, the solution is relatively simple. Follow these steps to fix the default credentials error and get Cypress working with Firebase Emulator:

Step 1: Set up the Firebase Emulator

First, make sure you have the Firebase Emulator set up correctly. Run the following command in your terminal:

firebase emulate

This will start the Firebase Emulator, and you should see the emulator UI in your browser at http://localhost:4000.

Step 2: Create a Service Account Key

Next, you need to create a service account key, which will be used to authenticate with the Firebase Emulator. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Firebase Console and navigate to the “Project Overview” page.
2. Click on “Add Firebase to your web app” and register your app.
3. Click on the “Continue to console” button.
4. Click on the “Users and permissions” tab and then select “Service accounts.”
5. Click on “Generate new private key” and download the JSON file.

Name the file something like firebase-service-account-key.json and keep it safe, as it contains sensitive information.

Step 3: Set up the default credentials

Now, you need to set up the default credentials using the service account key. Create a new file named firebase.config.js in the root of your project with the following content:

import { cert } from 'firebase-admin/app';

const serviceAccount = require('./firebase-service-account-key.json');

export const firebaseConfig = {
  // Use the downloaded service account key
  credential: cert(serviceAccount),
};

This file sets up the default credentials using the service account key.

Step 4: Update Cypress configuration

Next, you need to update your Cypress configuration to use the Firebase Emulator and the default credentials. Create a new file named cypress/support/index.js with the following content:

import { firebaseConfig } from '../firebase.config';

beforeEach(() => {
  // Initialize the Firebase Emulator
  cy.exec('firebase emulate');
});

afterEach(() => {
  // Shut down the Firebase Emulator
  cy.exec('firebase emulate:cleanup');
});

// Set the default credentials
firebaseConfig.credential.getAccessToken().then((token) => {
  Cypress.env('FIREBASE_AUTH_TOKEN', token);
});

This file sets up the Firebase Emulator, initializes it before each test, and shuts it down after each test. It also sets the default credentials using the service account key.

Step 5: Write your Cypress tests

Finally, you’re ready to write your Cypress tests! Create a new file named cypress/integration/firebase-emulator.spec.js with the following content:

describe('Firebase Emulator tests', () => {
  it('should authenticate with Firebase Emulator', () => {
    cy.visit('http://localhost:4000');
    cy.get('h1').should('contain', 'Firebase Emulator');
  });
});

This test visits the Firebase Emulator UI and verifies that the title contains the text “Firebase Emulator.”

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully solved the default credentials error and integrated Cypress with Firebase Emulator. You can now write comprehensive end-to-end tests for your web application using Cypress and Firebase Emulator.

Remember to keep your service account key safe and secure, as it contains sensitive information. Also, make sure to update your Cypress configuration and tests according to your project’s requirements.

Common issues	Solutions
Error: “Error: Cannot find module ‘@firebase/testing'”	Install the @firebase/testing package using npm or yarn.
Error: “Error: Firebase Config is not set”	Verify that your firebase.config.js file is correctly set up and imported in your Cypress configuration.
Error: “Error: Firebase Emulator is not running”	Verify that you’ve started the Firebase Emulator using the firebase emulate command.

By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to overcome the default credentials error and successfully integrate Cypress with Firebase Emulator. Happy testing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Having trouble with Cypress and Firebase emulator default credentials? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you troubleshoot the issue.