# Run tests with Maestro Studio

Maestro Studio is a visual desktop app that simplifies mobile test automation. This guide covers how to install the application and use its interactive tools to build a contact creation test without writing any code.

### Prerequisites 

Before building your test, ensure you have a running Android emulator. Access the [QuickStart](/get-started/quickstart.md) for further guidance on setting up your virtual environment. 

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### Installation

Get started by downloading the installer for your specific operating system:

* **Windows**: Download [MaestroStudio.exe](https://studio.maestro.dev/MaestroStudio.exe) and follow the setup wizard.
* **macOS**: Download [MaestroStudio.dmg](https://studio.maestro.dev/MaestroStudio.dmg) and drag the icon into your Applications folder.
* **Linux**: Download [MaestroStudio.AppImage](https://studio.maestro.dev/MaestroStudio.AppImage), make it executable with `chmod +x`, and run it.
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### Initial setup

1. Launch Maestro Studio.
2. Click **New workspace** to select a folder on your machine where your test files will be saved. 

<figure><img src="/files/g5Uwc6PH0SdffJyZAOVk" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Click on **Select device** at the top left and select your active virtual device from the list.

<figure><img src="/files/bHD9s3EDSdyUJtMNijU9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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### Create the test file

1. Click **New File.**
2. Enter a name for your test file, for example `my_test.yaml`.
3. Select your app from the dropdown menu.
4. Click **Create Test**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Tags are used to control which tests run. For more information, access the following pages:

* [Environments and variables](/maestro-studio/environments-and-variables.md)
* [Run cloud tests from Maestro Studio](/maestro-studio/run-cloud-tests-from-maestro-studio.md)
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/zXalM9wIfUrBgYJuqjeQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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### Test the app initialization

Before you begin building the test, run the app initialization. Click **Run Test** and observe the app initializing with a clear state.

<figure><img src="/files/8KR3M3SbLyxWxUPXPeWU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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### Build your test

The fastest way to build a test is to **right-click directly on any element** in your app. A menu appears with the available Maestro commands for that element. Click the one you want, and it gets added to your test automatically.

<figure><img src="/files/8jObHZdZpaKEiSJM4MYj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also type a hyphen in the editor to see all available Maestro commands.

<figure><img src="/files/OdXX5Bk0sAu4H8oS1g6p" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Autocomplete suggests commands, arguments, and real selectors from your connected device's screen, so you spend less time looking up syntax.

<figure><img src="/files/MiZjSViQ2T6ih5xeXLHo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### Review and run the test

Once your first test is ready, click **Run Test** to watch Maestro Studio execute these steps automatically on your device.

<figure><img src="/files/pMMU5gjW1tirxc86NHGi" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After a successful run, the recording file will be available in the `.maestro` directory.
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### Next steps

Now that you have created a test using the interactive features of Maestro Studio, you can explore more advanced capabilities:

* [Environments and variables](/maestro-studio/environments-and-variables.md): Learn how to pass dynamic data like names or phone numbers using variables.
* [Run cloud tests from Maestro Studio](/maestro-studio/run-cloud-tests-from-maestro-studio.md): Learn how to execute this test on using Maestro Cloud.

To learn more about test structure and advanced logic, visit the [Maestro Flows documentation](/maestro-flows/readme.md).


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