Smoke Testing: Definition, Automation, and Best Practices for Modern QA

Smoke testing is an essential software testing type that acts as a first line of defense against critical failures in new software builds. By running a set of core tests, smoke testing ensures that the most important functionalities of an application work as expected before deeper testing begins. In this guide, we'll explore what smoke testing is, how it differs from other testing types, how to automate it, and why cloud-native platforms like TestResults.io are transforming this foundational QA practice.

What is Smoke Testing?

Smoke testing—sometimes called "build verification testing"—is a preliminary test suite that checks whether the most crucial features of a software application are functioning after a new build or deployment. If the smoke test passes, the build is considered stable enough for further, more detailed testing. If it fails, the build is rejected, saving time and resources.

Key characteristics of smoke testing:

• Focuses on core, high-level functionalities
• Performed after each new build or major update
• Fast and broad, not deep or exhaustive
• Acts as a gatekeeper for further testing cycles

Definition:
Smoke testing is a type of software testing that verifies whether the critical functionalities of an application are working properly after a new build, ensuring that the software is stable enough for further testing.

Smoke Testing vs. Other Testing Types

It's common to confuse smoke testing with other types of software testing, such as regression or sanity testing. Here's how they differ:

• Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing:
  Smoke testing checks the most vital features after a build, while regression testing ensures that recent changes haven't broken existing functionality.
• Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing:
  Sanity testing is a narrow, deep check of specific functionality after changes, whereas smoke testing is a broad, shallow check of all critical features.
• When to Use Each:

  • Smoke testing: After every new build or deployment.
  • Regression testing: After bug fixes, feature additions, or code refactoring.
  • Sanity testing: After minor changes or bug fixes.

For a deep dive into regression testing, see What is a regression test and what is regression testing.

How to Perform Smoke Testing

Smoke testing can be performed manually or automated. Here's how a typical smoke testing process works:

Manual Smoke Testing Steps:

1. Identify the core functionalities to test.
2. Prepare a basic set of test cases covering these functionalities.
3. Execute the test cases on the new build.
4. Record and analyze the results.
5. If all tests pass, proceed to deeper testing; if not, reject the build.

Automated Smoke Testing:

• Use test automation tools or platforms to run smoke tests automatically after each build.
• Integrate smoke tests into your CI/CD pipeline for immediate feedback.
• Maintain and update your smoke test suite as the application evolves.

Example Scenarios:

• Logging in/out of an application
• Opening core modules or dashboards
• Performing a basic transaction or workflow

Automating Smoke Testing: Tools & Best Practices

Manual smoke testing is effective for small projects or early stages, but automation is essential for speed, consistency, and scalability—especially in modern development environments.

Benefits of Automated Smoke Testing:

• Saves time and reduces repetitive manual work
• Provides fast feedback to developers
• Increases reliability and repeatability
• Enables integration with CI/CD tools

Choosing the Right Tools:

• Look for platforms that support cloud-native, cross-device, and technology-agnostic testing.
• Ensure traceability, scalability, and easy maintenance.
• Evaluate tools that fit your tech stack and regulatory needs.

Best Practices for Stable Automated Smoke Tests:

• Keep your smoke test suite lean and focused on business-critical features.
• Regularly review and update smoke tests as the application changes.
• Use versioning and traceability, especially in regulated environments.
• Monitor for flakiness and maintain test infrastructure.

For more on maintaining automated tests, see The importance of maintaining your automated tests.

Smoke Testing in Modern Development Environments

As software development evolves, smoke testing must adapt:

• CI/CD Integration:
  Automated smoke tests can be triggered automatically in your continuous integration/continuous delivery pipeline, providing instant feedback and preventing broken builds from reaching production. See Automated software testing for continuous delivery for more.
• Cloud-Native & Multi-Device Testing:
  With apps running across cloud, desktop, and mobile, your smoke testing solution should support diverse environments and devices.
• Compliance & Traceability:
  In regulated industries (finance, healthcare), you need full traceability, versioning, and repeatability of your smoke tests for audits and compliance.

Why Platform-Based Solutions Like TestResults.io Matter

Traditional test automation tools often fall short in today’s fast-paced, multi-environment world. This is where cloud-native platforms like TestResults.io stand out:

• Cloud-Native Architecture:
  Access your test platform from anywhere, with automatic scaling and environment isolation.
• Technology-Agnostic Testing:
  Test everything from legacy host systems to the latest mobile apps.
• Zero Intrusion:
  Especially important for regulated markets—TestResults.io requires no invasive changes to your application.
• Traceability & Compliance:
  Every test case and execution is versioned and fully traceable, supporting audits and compliance standards like FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
• Cost & Time Savings:
  Up to 97% time savings on automation setup and 95% reduction in infrastructure costs.

Example Scenario:

A QA team for a fintech app uses TestResults.io to run automated smoke tests on every build, across multiple cloud and device environments. All test executions are fully traceable, and the platform's compliance features ensure audit readiness for regulatory reviews.

Conclusion

Smoke testing is a foundational practice for delivering stable, high-quality software. By automating smoke tests and leveraging cloud-native platforms like TestResults.io, teams can ensure rapid feedback, scalability, and compliance—unlocking the full potential of modern software development.

Next Steps:

• Review your current smoke testing process.
• Explore automation and cloud-native platform options.
• Consider integrating smoke testing into your CI/CD pipeline for maximum impact.

For more insights, check out our articles on Automated software testing for continuous delivery and The importance of maintaining your automated tests.