Gherkin language syntax makes it possible for software requirements to be written in a way that everyone, from developers and testers to product managers, can understand. It is a popular Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) language, which turns complex technical scenarios into clear, human-readable steps.

Instead of burying requirements in jargon, we use Gherkin Given When Then keywords to describe how software should behave. The best thing is that you don’t need to be a programmer to read or write it, so collaboration and software testing are easier and more efficient across the entire team.

Gherkin Language Syntax in BDD Testing

Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) focuses on collaboration among developers, automation testers, and business stakeholders. It uses plain-language scenarios to describe how a system should behave, so that everyone shares the same understanding before coding begins.

In BDD, communication is everything. Teams need a common way to describe how software should behave without drowning in technical details. That is why Gherkin language syntax is the best approach for BDD.

Gherkin provides a plain-text, structured format for writing test scenarios. It uses a handful of keywords that make test cases easy to read and easy to automate, with this structure:

Feature: Describes the functionality or module being tested.
Scenario: Defines one example or test case for that feature.
Given: Sets the starting point or preconditions.
When: Shows the action or event taking place.
Then: States the expected outcome or result.
And/But: Used for adding extra conditions or steps.

With this simple structure, BDD testing becomes more collaborative. Product owners, QA engineers, and developers can all contribute to the same scenarios. Gherkin is also human-readable and machine-readable, so these scenarios can be used for both documentation and automated tests.

How to Write Gherkin Test Scenarios?

Test scenarios in Gherkin are simple, clear, and structured. Follow these steps:

Start with a Feature: Define what part of the application you’re testing.
Add a Scenario: Describe one specific example or use case.
Use Given-When-Then:
- Given sets the context or preconditions.
- When describes the action performed.
- Then states the expected result.
Use And/But: Add extra steps or conditions where needed.
Keep it Readable: Write in plain language so both technical and non-technical stakeholders can understand.

By sticking to this format, your test scenarios stay consistent and easy to automate in BDD tools.

Keywords in Gherkin Language

Gherkin test language is preferred in test automation frameworks due to its simple set of keywords that provide structure to test scenarios. Each keyword has a specific role in making scenarios easy to read and automate, and here are the common Gherkin keywords:

Feature: Describes the functionality or area of the application being tested.
Scenario: Defines a single test case or example under the feature.
Background: Provides common preconditions shared by multiple scenarios.
Scenario Outline: Allows writing one scenario with placeholders and running it with multiple data sets.
Examples: Supplies the data for a Scenario Outline.
Given: Sets up the initial state or context before the action.
When: Specifies the action or event that triggers behavior.
Then: Defines the expected outcome or result.
And /But: Add more steps to a Given, When, or Then for smoother flow.

Gherkin Test Cases Examples

Let’s understand this concept better with Gherkin test examples:

Example 1: User Login

Feature: User Login

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials

Given the user is on the login page

When the user enters a valid username and password

Then the user should be redirected to the dashboard

Example 2: Search Functionality

Feature: Search

Scenario: Search with a valid keyword

Given the user is on the homepage

When the user searches for "Laptop"

Then relevant search results should be displayed

Gherkin Best Practices for Writing Test Scenarios

Gherkin can be best used for BDD if you follow these few best practices:

Write short, to-the-point steps. Each step should cover one action only.
Describe what the system should do, not how it does it.
Stick to the same terms across all scenarios so they’re easy to follow.
Scenarios should be easily readable by developers, testers, and business users.
Use Backgrounds or Scenario Outlines with Examples to reuse common steps and data.
Every scenario should have a clear expected result under the Then step.
Involve product owners, QA, and developers when writing scenarios to ensure shared understanding.

Pros and Cons of Using Gherkin Language Syntax

Pros of Gherkin Syntax

Cons of Gherkin Syntax

Readable by all stakeholders – Plain language makes it easy for developers, testers, and business users to understand.
Bridges communication gaps – Creates a shared understanding between technical and non-technical teams.
Supports automation – Gherkin steps can be linked directly to automated test scripts in BDD tools.
Doubles as documentation – Scenarios act as living requirements and test documentation.
Reusability – Backgrounds, Scenario Outlines, and Examples reduce duplication.

Can become verbose – Long scenarios with many steps may feel repetitive or hard to maintain.
Risk of poor writing – If not written carefully, scenarios may be vague or ambiguous.
Requires discipline – Teams must follow a consistent structure and terminology for effectiveness.
Learning curve – New teams can take some time to get used to the syntax and best practices.
Not always suited for complex logic – Some advanced test conditions are difficult to express in plain language.

Start Low Code Testing with Gherkin Syntax

Gherkin is used because it creates a common language for developers, testers, and business stakeholders. It's an easier way to collaborate and write software testing requirements clearly.

For low code testing, Gherkin is preferred because teams write test cases without deep programming knowledge, while still being automation-friendly. You can make testing faster, more accessible, and easier to maintain with low code testing in Gherkin.

vStellar is just the right tool to write Gherkin scenarios easily. Its low-code platform provides intuitive keyword-driven steps with automation, so you can create, run, and manage tests without heavy coding. vStellar helps teams turn plain-language scenarios into test suites that make BDD truly accessible.

Read more about vStellar’s Gherkin keywords here —> Documentation vStellar

FAQs

What Is the Relation Between BDD and Gherkin Syntax?

Gherkin syntax is the language used to write test scenarios in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). It makes BDD tests readable and executable.

What Is the Difference Between Gherkin and Cucumber?

Gherkin is the language for writing test scenarios, and Cucumber is the tool that executes those scenarios and links them to automation code.

What Is the Meaning of Gherkin Syntax?

Gherkin syntax is a plain-text, structured format that uses keywords like Given, When, and Then to describe software behavior in a simple, readable way for writing test scenarios.

What Is Gherkin Language Syntax? Role in Writing Test Scenarios

Related Blogs

End to End Testing: Purpose, Process & Best Practices

Self Healing Tests in Test Automation: Purpose, Benefits & Working

No Code vs Low Code Test Automation Differences, Benefits, Limitations

News Letter

Weekly Testing Newsletter Testing News & Tips

GET vStellar For Low Code Testing