Cucumber hooks and Cucumber annotations are structural mechanisms used in Behavior Driven Development (BDD) frameworks to control test execution flow and define how test steps are mapped, executed, and managed. Hooks manage setup and teardown actions around test scenarios, while annotations define the behavior, scope, and linkage of step definitions and scenarios within a Cucumber test suite.
Understanding both concepts is essential for building scalable, maintainable automation frameworks used in professional QA environments and modern Quality assurance tester training programs.
What Is Cucumber in Software Testing?
Cucumber is a BDD testing framework that allows test scenarios to be written in plain English using the Gherkin language. It enables collaboration between testers, developers, and business stakeholders by translating human-readable requirements into automated tests.
Cucumber tests consist of:
- Feature files written in Gherkin syntax
- Step definition files written in programming languages like Java or Python
- Hooks and annotations that control execution behavior
Hooks and annotations are not optional utilities; they are core building blocks in real-world automation projects taught in structured QA tester classes.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
- @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario. Example
@Before
public void initialization() {
start Browser();
}- @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
@After
Public void afterScenario () {
TakeScreenshot();
CloseBrowser ();
}How to implement Cucumber hooks in Java?
Testing Hooks with single scenario
Feature File
Feature: Test Hooks
Scenario: This scenario is to test hooks functionality
Given this is the first step
When this is the second step
Then this is the third step
Step Definition file
package stepDefinition;
import cucumber.api.java.en.Given;
import cucumber.api.java.en.Then;
import cucumber.api.java.en.When;
public class Hooks_Steps
{
@Given ("^this is the first step$")
public void This_Is_The_First_Step(){
System.out.println("This is the first step");
}
@When ("^this is the second step$")
public void This_Is_The_Second_Step(){
System.out.println("This is the second step");
}
@Then("^this is the third step$")
public void This_Is_The_Third_Step(){
System.out.println("This is the third step");
}
}
Hooks
package utilities;
import cucumber.api.java.After;
import cucumber.api.java.Before;
public class Hooks
{
@Before
public void beforeScenario(){
System.out.println("This will run before the Scenario");
}
@After
public void afterScenario(){
System.out.println("This will run after the Scenario");
}
}
If the testcase fails in that case also After Hook will execute for sure. Package import statement should be import cucumber.api.java.After; & import cucumber.api.java.Before; Scenario Hooks execute before and after every scenario.
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
What Are Cucumber Annotations?
Cucumber annotations are metadata markers that define how Cucumber identifies, links, and executes test components. They are used in step definitions, hooks, and runner classes.
Annotations provide structure and configuration without altering business logic.
Core Cucumber Annotations Explained
1. @Given, @When, @Then
These annotations map Gherkin steps to executable code.
Example:
@Given("user is on login page")
public void userOnLoginPage() { }
They define what action is being performed, not how the test is executed.
2. @And, @But
Used to improve readability and reuse step definitions.
Example:
@And("user enters valid credentials")
public void enterCredentials() { }
These annotations do not change execution logic; they enhance scenario clarity.
3. @Before and @After (Hooks as Annotations)
Hooks themselves are implemented using annotations.
Example:
@Before
public void initialize() { }
This shows how annotations act as behavioral triggers in the framework.
4. @RunWith (JUnit Integration)
Used in runner classes to integrate Cucumber with JUnit.
Example:
@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
This annotation allows Cucumber scenarios to be executed as JUnit tests.
5. @CucumberOptions
This annotation configures how tests are executed.
Example:
@CucumberOptions(
features = "src/test/resources/features",
glue = "stepDefinitions",
tags = "@regression",
plugin = {"pretty", "html:target/report.html"}
)
It controls:
- Feature file locations
- Step definition packages
- Tags to execute
- Report generation
This annotation is essential for real-world automation execution.
Then this is the third step
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Key Takeaways
- Cucumber hooks manage test setup and teardown
- Annotations define execution behavior and structure
- Tagged hooks improve performance and control
- Hooks and annotations work together, not separately
- Mastery of both is essential for scalable automation
Conclusion
Cucumber hooks and Cucumber annotations are fundamental components of professional BDD automation frameworks. Hooks control when actions occur in the test lifecycle, while annotations define how scenarios, steps, and configurations are interpreted and executed.
For testers aiming to build reliable, maintainable, and scalable automation solutions, understanding these concepts is not optional it is essential. Structured learning paths and hands-on practice in Quality assurance tester training and QA tester classes ensure these concepts are applied correctly in real-world QA projects.
17 Responses
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
@Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario. Example
@Before
public void initialization() {
start Browser();
}
@After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
@After
Public void afterScenario () {
TakeScreenshot();
CloseBrowser ();
}
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
@Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario. Example
@Before
public void initialization() {
start Browser();
}
@After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
@After
Public void afterScenario () {
TakeScreenshot();
CloseBrowser ();
}
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that run after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario are performed.
1. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
2. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Cucumber Annotations:
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution.
1.Given- It defines prerequisite for the test to be executed.
2. When- It defines trigger point for specific scenario execution.
3. Then- it holds the expected result for the test to be executed
4. And- It provides the logical And condition between two statements
5. But- It specifies logical OR condition between two statements
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that run before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario are performed.
@Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
@After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Annotations are predefined text which contains specific meaning. It allows the compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines a prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is the first step.
When: It defines a trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is the first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
1.Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
2.When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
3.Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
4.And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
5.But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber Hooks:
– blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario.
– can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After.
– Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy
– used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
@Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
@After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Cucumber Annotations:
– predefined text which contain specific meaning.
– allows compiler what should be done upon execution.
Examples:
1. Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example: Given this is a first step.
2. When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example: When this is the second step.
3. Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example: Then this is the third step
4. And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example: Given
this is first step AND When this is the second step.
5. But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example : Then Login should
successful but homepage should not be missing.
What Are Cucumber Hooks And Cucumber Annotations?
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that run before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in a project or step definition layers, using methods like @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
1, @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
2. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
How to implement Cucumber hooks in Java?
Testing Hooks with single scenario
Feature File
Feature: Test Hooks
Scenario: This scenario is to test hooks functionality
This is the first step
When this is the second step
Then this is the third step
Step Definition file
Step Definition file
package stepDefinition;
import cucumber.api.java.en.Given;
import cucumber.api.java.en.Then;
import cucumber.api.java.en.When;
public class Hooks_Steps
{
@Given (“^this is the first step$”)
public void This_Is_The_First_Step(){
System.out.println(“This is the first step”);
}
@When (“^this is the second step$”)
public void This_Is_The_Second_Step(){
System.out.println(“This is the second step”);
}
@Then(“^this is the third step$”)
public void This_Is_The_Third_Step(){
System.out.println(“This is the third step”);
}
}
Hooks
package utilities;
import cucumber.api.java.After;
import cucumber.api.java.Before;
public class Hooks
{
@Before
public void beforeScenario(){
System.out.println(“This will run before the Scenario”);
}
@After
public void afterScenario(){
System.out.println(“This will run after the Scenario”);
}
}
Cucumber Hooks 2
If the testcase fails in that case also After Hook will execute for sure. Package import statement should be imported cucumber.api.java.After; & import cucumber.api.java.Before; Scenario Hooks execute before and after every scenario.
Cucumber Hooks
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
1. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario
2. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
To implement Cucumber hooks in Java:
1. Feature File
2. Step Definition file
3. Hooks
Cucumber Annotations:
1. Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. example
2. When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
3. Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
4. And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
5. But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are the blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defines anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @ After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy.
1. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
2. @ After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Cucumber Annotations:
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning and allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber.
1. Given: It defines prerequisites for the test to be executed. Eg. Given this is a first step.
2. When: It defined trigger point for the test scenario execution. E.g. When this is the second step.
3. Then; It holds the expected result for the test to be executed. E.g. Then this is the third step.
4. And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, When and then Example.
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
5. But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then, Example.
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
1. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario. Example
2. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
How to implement Cucumber hooks in Java?
Testing Hooks with single scenario
Feature File
Feature: Test Hooks
Scenario: This scenario is to test hooks functionality
Given this is the first step
When this is the second step
Then this is the third step
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
1. Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
2. When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
3. Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
4. And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
5. But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario. Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber.
1. Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
2. When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
3. Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
4. And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
5. But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
How to implement Cucumber hooks in Java?
Testing Hooks with a single scenario
Feature File
Feature: Test Hooks
Scenario: This scenario is to test hooks functionality
Given this is the first step
When this is the second step
Then this is the third step
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contains specific meaning. It allows the compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
Given: it defines the prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is the first step.
When: It defines the trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that run after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario are performed.
1. @Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
2. @After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Cucumber Annotations:
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution.
1.Given- It defines prerequisite for the test to be executed.
2. When- It defines trigger point for specific scenario execution.
3. Then- it holds the expected result for the test to be executed
4. And- It provides the logical And condition between two statements
5. But- It specifies logical OR condition between two statements
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
1.@Before Hook: It will execute before every scenario.
2.@After Hook: It will execute after every scenario.
Cucumber Annotations:
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
1.Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed.
2.When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution.
3.Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed.
4.And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then
5.But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then.
Cucumber Hooks:
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.
What are Cucumber Annotations?
Annotations are predefined text which contain specific meaning. It allows compiler what should be done upon execution. There are few annotations in this cucumber
* Given: it defines prerequisite for the test to be executed. Example
Given this is a first step.
* When: It defines trigger point for the test scenario execution. example
When this is the second step.
* Then: it holds the expected result for the test to be executed. example
Then this is the third step
* And: It provides the logical And condition between two statements like between any Given, when and then example
Given this is first step AND When this is the second step.
* But: It specifies logical OR condition between two statements like between Given, When, Then. Example
Then Login should be successful but homepage should not be missing.
Cucumber hooks are blocks of code that runs before or after each scenario. It can be defined anywhere in project or step definition layers using methods @Before, @After. Cucumber hooks Annotations allow us to manage better code workflow and help in reducing code redundancy. Cucumber hooks are used in a situations where prerequisite steps before testing any test scenario is performed.