What role do baselines play in visual testing?

Baselines play a crucial role in visual testing as they serve as a reference for comparison against current visual states. In visual testing, the baseline represents the expected appearance of an application or website at a specific point in time. When changes are made to the application, such as updates or new features, the current visual state is captured and compared to the baseline. This comparison helps identify any unintended visual deviations or regressions that may occur due to code changes.

Establishing a stable and accurate baseline is essential for effective visual regression testing. It ensures that visual changes can be validated against known good states, thereby maintaining the integrity of the user interface and user experience. By using baselines, teams can confidently implement changes while ensuring that the visual aspects of the application remain consistent and align with design expectations. This process aids in maintaining quality and can speed up the development cycle by catching issues early in the development process.