Upskilling Manual Testers in Codeless/NLP‑Based Tools
So you’re a manual tester and want to level up? Let’s talk about upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools—making automation approachable, even if you’re not a developer. 🤖 In this blog, we’ll ask real‑world questions, crack some human‑friendly answers, and sprinkle a bit of humor so it reads like a conversation with a friend, not a textbook.
🤖 What are Codeless/NLP‑Based Automation Tools?
Codeless/NLP-based tools are modern automation platforms designed for folks who don’t want to write code—or can’t.
Instead of writing scripts like:
python
driver.find_element_by_id("username").send_keys("john123")You just type something like:
“Enter ‘john123’ in the username field”
Or use drag‑and‑drop flows, record user actions, or select steps from a visual test builder. These tools translate plain English into automated test scripts in the background. 🤯
Some even use natural language processing (NLP) to understand test instructions like “click login and verify dashboard is visible.” Basically, you talk to them like you’re writing user stories, and they generate automation behind the scenes.
🧰 Popular Codeless/NLP-Based Tools
Here are some tools that are making waves:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| TestRigor | Accepts plain English test steps like “click on login” and “check if dashboard is visible” |
| Mabl | AI‑powered, record‑and‑playback with low maintenance |
| Testsigma | NLP-based scripting for web, mobile, and APIs |
| Leapwork | Drag-and-drop UI for creating test flows—zero code |
| Katalon Studio (Recorder) | Codeless option available in addition to script mode |
| ACCELQ | Offers natural language automation for UI, API, and database testing |
🔍 How Are These Different from Script-Based Tools like Selenium or Cypress?
Let’s compare both worlds side by side 👇
| Feature | Codeless/NLP-Based Tools | Script-Based Tools (Selenium, Cypress) |
|---|---|---|
| 🧠 Skill needed | No programming knowledge required | Must know a language like Java, JS, Python |
| ✍️ How you write tests | Plain English or visual flow builder | Code in IDE (like VS Code, IntelliJ) |
| ⚙️ Maintenance | Often self-healing or easier to debug visually | Manual updates needed when UI changes |
| 🚀 Speed to get started | Very fast—record or type steps | Slower—need to set up drivers, frameworks |
| 📚 Learning curve | Gentle—ideal for manual testers | Steeper—great for developers/test engineers |
| 🔄 Flexibility | Less flexible in edge-case scripting | Highly flexible—do whatever you want (with effort) |
| 🧩 Integration | Usually built-in dashboards, CI/CD hooks | Needs plugins or custom integration |
| 💼 Real usage | SMEs, business analysts, manual testers | SDETs, automation engineers, devs |
| 💸 Cost | Many are paid with free trials | Open source and free, but needs setup |
🗨️ So… Which Should You Use?
Ask yourself:
✅ Are your testers non-technical? → Go codeless/NLP-based
✅ Need flexibility and control? → Go script-based
✅ Want the best of both? → Pick a hybrid tool that supports both (like Katalon or ACCELQ)
Truth is, they’re not enemies—many teams use both. Manual testers can handle the bulk of automation with codeless tools, while engineers tackle complex flows using Selenium/Cypress.
Why start upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools?
Ever felt stuck testing the same test cases week after week? You’re not alone. Many manual testers wonder:
“Can’t I automate without learning Java or Python?”
“Is it worth switching to tools where I don’t write code?”
Answer: Yes. Codeless NLP‑based tools let testers describe steps in natural language and turn them into automation flows. It bridges the gap—no code required.
Benefits:
No coding = faster onboarding ✅
Speak like “Click login, enter user, expect dashboard” and get automated cases
Test logic and business sense matter more than programming syntax
Common real‑world questions when upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools
Q1: “Can I truly automate without coding?”
Yes! Tools let you record your manual session or type test steps in plain English. The computer handles the code. You just verify and refine. You still learn what “assert element exists” means, but you don’t write it in code yourself
Q2: “Is this stable long‑term?”
Short answer: sort of. Reddit QA experts warn that codeless tools work well with a few cases—but maintenance and scalability can get messy as tests grow . So, start small and structure your suites well.
Q3: “What if I hit complexity?”
Some tools offer NLP input plus fallback coding if you need it. But the point of upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools is to rely on natural language—not code—so that testers stay in their comfort zone while still adding automation.
What skills grow when upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools?
You’re sharpening:
Business understanding and user flows
Test logic structuring and modular design
Natural language test descriptions and validation thinking
You’re not learning arrays or loops in Python—unless you want to—but you’re learning to think like an automation designer.
Training roadmap to upskill manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools
Explore tool tutorials—watch sample flows
Convert manual test cases into plain English steps
Build small modules (login, nav, store) and combine them
Run test cases, inspect results, logs, screenshots
Refactor modules, reuse across multiple journeys
Build a basic dashboard or report summarizing pass/fail
Total time? A week or two. Longer if you go deep. But way faster than learning full programming.
Why this upskilling works
It values your domain knowledge and critical thinking
Removes entry‑barrier of coding for automation
Offers faster feedback loops in agile or startup teams
Makes you more valuable—you’re no longer just clicking checkboxes; you’re designing automated flows
Tips to make the transition smooth
Keep practicing small projects in free tiers of tools
Document your flows and steps—makes future maintainers happy
Pair with a developer or automation lead occasionally—understand occasional code fallback
Build your own portfolio: export test suite or screenshots to show progress
Conclusion ✅
Upskilling manual testers in codeless NLP‑based tools gives you automation power sans coding
You leverage your QA insights and business logic, not syntax typing
Real‑world challenges: maintenance, scalability, and lock‑in—but with good structure you can manage them
Follow the roadmap—pick one tool, convert your manual tests, modularize, report
Combine with learning basic automation thinking to stay flexible
Key takeaways
Natural language drives your automation—no programming needed
Start with small test cases, iterate gradually
Organize modules for maintainability
Build dashboards or simple reports to show value
Grow your QA career by becoming an automation contributor—not just a manual tester
📌 References
ACCELQ blog “Empowering Manual Testers with Codeless Automation” full path: https://www.accelq.com/blog/empowering-manual-testers-codeless-automation/
Reddit QA point on codeless maintenance: https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityAssurance/comments/oyrfo8
Reddit QA advice on low-code tools like katalon: https://www.reddit.com/r/developersIndia/comments/11rovhr