A complete growth map from functional testing to quality engineering: master the fundamentals first, then multiply your efficiency with AI â free, open source, continuously updated đ
> đ **Note:** The chapter content is currently written in Simplified Chinese. English translations are planned â contributions are welcome!
Software test development is being reshaped by AI: AI can draft test cases and write test scripts, but judging *whether the testing is thorough enough, whether quality has regressed, and which layer a problem lives in* still takes a human. This repository organizes a complete learning path from zero to Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET): it builds a solid foundation in traditional test development **and** covers the two new disciplines of the AI era â using AI to boost your testing, and evaluating AI applications themselves.
## Who This Roadmap Is For
- **Students / fresh graduates**: CS majors or career switchers starting from scratch, preparing for test development, test automation, or quality engineering roles and needing a complete path from zero to job-ready
- **Functional / manual QA engineers**: doing mostly manual or functional testing, strong on business knowledge but weak on programming, wanting to level up programming, automation, and engineering skills to transition into test development
- **Programmers / backend developers**: with Java, Python, or backend experience, optimistic about quality engineering opportunities and looking to widen their job search to SDET roles
- **Experienced QA engineers**: already doing some automation but hitting a ceiling, wanting to break into performance testing, quality platforms, precision testing, and other advanced skills for better positions and pay
- **Engineers who want to learn AI testing**: from either QA or dev backgrounds, wanting to genuinely apply AI in testing work, or to enter the new field of AI application evaluation (RAG / Agent / LLMs)
You don't need to read it cover to cover: the [Roadmap Overview](./docs/roadmap/README.md) tailors three paths for "functional QA â SDET", "backend dev â SDET", and "campus hire from zero"; experienced engineers can pick chapters 8â11 based on target roles.
## Roadmap at a Glance
| Stage | Chapter | Cultivation Stage | Core Skills |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **đ§ Awareness ¡ Understanding the Role** | | | |
| Starting Point | [01 Understanding Test Development](./docs/roadmap/01-what-is-sdet.md) | đ¨ Qi Refining | The SDET landscape ¡ what SDETs actually do ¡ what's new in the AI era |
| **𧹠Foundation ¡ Programming & Engineering** | | | |
| Stage 1 | [02 CS Fundamentals](./docs/roadmap/02-cs-fundamentals.md) | 𧹠Foundation (Early) | Networking ¡ operating systems ¡ data structures & algorithms |
| Stage 2 | [03 Programming Languages](./docs/roadmap/03-programming.md) | đī¸ Foundation (Middle) | Python / Java as primary language + unit test frameworks |
| Stage 3 | [04 Engineering Basics](./docs/roadmap/04-engineering-basics.md) | đ¯ Foundation (Complete) | MySQL ¡ Redis caching ¡ message queues & Nginx middleware ¡ Linux ¡ Git ¡ Docker ¡ K8s ¡ CI/CD |
| **đ§Ē Testing Core ¡ From Case Design to Quality Engineering** | | | |
| Stage 4 | [05 Testing Theory & Case Design](./docs/roadmap/05-testing-theory.md) | âī¸ Core Formation | Six-dimension case framework ¡ boundary & exception thinking |
| Stage 5 | [06 API Testing & Automation](./docs/roadmap/06-api-automation.md) | đļ Nascent Soul (Early) | Layered frameworks ¡ assertion systems ¡ mocking & test data |
| Stage 6 | [07 UI & App Automation](./docs/roadmap/07-ui-app-automation.md) | đ§ Nascent Soul (Middle) | Playwright ¡ Selenium / Appium ¡ POM |
| Stage 7 | [08 Performance & Stability Testing](./docs/roadmap/08-performance-testing.md) | đ§ Nascent Soul (Late) | Load testing methodology ¡ monitoring pipelines ¡ bottleneck localization |
| Stage 8 | [09 CI/CD, Quality Platforms & Precision Testing](./docs/roadmap/09-quality-engineering.md) | đī¸ Spirit Transformation | CI/CD pipeline integration ¡ test platforms ¡ precision testing |
| **đ¤ AI Era ¡ Productivity & New Frontiers** | | | |
| Stage 9 | [10 AI-Assisted Testing](./docs/roadmap/10-ai-assisted-testing.md) | đĻ Infant Transformation (Early) | AI coding productivity ¡ prompt engineering ¡ AI-generated cases & scripts ¡ AI code review & failure triage ¡ MCP / Skills |
| Stage 10 | [11 AI Application Testing & LLM Evaluation](./docs/roadmap/11-llm-evaluation.md) | ⨠Infant Transformation (Complete) | Dify knowledge base / workflow setup ¡ evaluation set building ¡ RAG / Agent / safety evaluation ¡ LLM-as-a-Judge ¡ release gates & bad-case feedback loops |
| **đ Practice & Job Hunting ¡ Turning Skills into Offers** | | | |
| Practice | [12 Project Practice Guide](./docs/roadmap/12-project-practice.md) | âī¸ Peak (Early) | 4 progressive projects: API framework â UI/App â performance debugging â AI evaluation platform |
| Interview | [13 Interview Preparation](./docs/roadmap/13-interview-guide.md) | đ Peak ¡ Ascension | Question bank by category ¡ project storytelling frameworks |
> Chapters 6 and 7 can be learned in parallel; you can start using AI to boost your work from Stage 5 (API automation) onward â no need to finish all traditional skills first.
>
> đŽ About the "cultivation stages": they're a playful nod to Chinese cultivation (xianxia) novels. You level up not by meditating, but by clearing the "self-check list" at the end of each chapter. Skipping levels leads to inner demons; bookmarking without studying destroys your dao foundation đ
Start with the [Roadmap Overview](./docs/roadmap/README.md): it has tailored paths for different backgrounds, a 3â6 month study pace, and prioritization advice.
## Repository Layout
| Directory | Status | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [docs/roadmap](./docs/roadmap/README.md) | Actively updated | The main learning path, one chapter per stage |
| [docs/basics](./docs/basics/README.md) | Actively updated | Testing fundamentals in plain language: 84 beginner-friendly articles across 7 categories (concepts, test types, process, case design, defect management, reporting, tech basics), cross-linked with the roadmap and interview bank |
| [docs/knowledge](./docs/knowledge/README.md) | Actively updated | Hands-on tutorial series: 22 articles on AI testing in action (test design, API & UI automation, business-scenario chains) |
| [docs/interview](./docs/interview/README.md) | Actively updated | Categorized interview question bank: 200 questions across 10 categories (LLM testing, essentials, automation, performance, security, AI productivity, DevOps metrics, test platforms, test management, process & collaboration) |
| [docs/resources](./docs/resources/README.md) | Actively updated | Tool directory: 140 testing tools across 5 categories (AI coding 33 / API 23 / UI automation 39 / performance 18 / security 27), one page per tool |
## How to Use This Roadmap
1. Don't start by hoarding tool tutorials. Tools are quick to pick up; what sets people apart is test code quality, engineering integration, and problem localization.
2. Every chapter ends with a "self-check list". You've only mastered a chapter when you can answer all of its questions independently.
3. Start building projects after the first five stages â learn and build at the same time, don't wait until "everything is finished".
4. Read the two AI chapters (10, 11) early. Even if you can't do AI application evaluation yet, build the judgment first.
## Companion Resources (AI Test Development Hub)
This repository is built alongside the [AI Test Development Hub](https://www.testfather.cn/) (Chinese). The following online resources are updated in sync with the roadmap:
| Resource | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [Learning Paths](https://www.testfather.cn/learning-paths) | Online version of the roadmap with progress tracking |
| [Tutorials](https://www.testfather.cn/tutorials) | Stage-by-stage hands-on tutorials matching the chapters |
| [Interview Questions](https://www.testfather.cn/interviews) | High-frequency SDET interview questions online |
| [Skill Assessment](https://www.testfather.cn/interviews/assessment) | Self-assessment to locate your weak spots |
| [Resume Templates](https://www.testfather.cn/resume-templates) | Resume templates for test development jobs |
| [Skill Store](https://www.testfather.cn/skills) | AI testing productivity skills and prompt tools |
| [Courses](https://www.testfather.cn/courses) | Systematic test development courses |
## Community
The cultivation journey goes further with fellow travelers. Connect with me via:
| Author's WeChat (remark: æĩåŧåĻäš ) | Official WeChat Account ãæĩč¯åŧåææ¯ã | Knowledge Planet (scan to join, Chinese) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | |
- **Author's WeChat**: add me with the remark "æĩåŧåĻäš " (SDET learning) to join the test development group and keep pace with fellow learners
- **Official WeChat Account ãæĩč¯åŧåææ¯ã**: AI productivity tips, SDET technical deep dives, and industry updates, pushed as soon as they're published
- **Knowledge Planet**: scan the QR code to join the community for in-depth exchanges with fellow SDETs
## Contributing
If you're a test development practitioner, an AI explorer, and willing to share your hands-on experience and lessons learned, join us in polishing this growth roadmap for every SDET in the AI era!
đ **What you'll gain:**
| Gain | Description |
| --- | --- |
| đ Visibility | Showcase professional judgment in an active community and build your personal brand |
| đ Deep learning | Expose yourself to diverse perspectives and sharpen your skills with peers |
| đ Recognition | Your contributions will be clearly credited and respected by the community |
| đ¤ Networking | Connect with like-minded partners in a vibrant test development ecosystem |
**How to participate:**
- Fix errors, add resources, share learning experience: feel free to open [Issues](https://github.com/zhoujinjian/ai-testing-guide/issues) and [PRs](https://github.com/zhoujinjian/ai-testing-guide/pulls); see the [contributing guide](./CONTRIBUTING.md) (Chinese)
- Want to co-build content in depth: add the author on WeChat (see [Community](#community) above) with the remark "å ąåģē" (co-build)
## Thanks for the Star
If this roadmap helps you, please give it a **Star** âī¸ â your recognition keeps it updated!
## đ Copyright & Reprint Notice
- The documentation in this repository is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](./LICENSE):
- â Free for personal learning and attributed blog reposting (cite the source and keep the link)
- â Unauthorized commercial use, paid columns, or training courses are prohibited
- đ Derivative works must use the same license
- Sample code in this repository is under the MIT license and free to use
- When reposting, credit at the top: Author **įå¸ (KuangShi)** ¡ Source https://github.com/zhoujinjian/ai-testing-guide
- Malicious copying/reposting (including paid WeChat/CSDN columns) will be pursued legally
## Changelog
- 2026-10: New "Testing Fundamentals" (æĩč¯å ĢčĄæ) section â 84 plain-language articles across 7 categories (concepts 12 / test types 13 / process 13 / case design 16 / defect management 10 / reporting 8 / tech basics 12), each following a fixed structure (key point â analogy â deep dive â example â common pitfalls â action tips), cross-linked with the roadmap and interview bank; companion-resources section added to every section homepage (resources page links straight to kjdaohang.com); site-wide floating QR sidebar for the WeChat official account, author WeChat, and knowledge planet; page-view counter hardening (local cache for instant display + timeout fallback).
- 2026-10: Knowledge series extended to 22 articles with two business-scenario API testing installments â #21 scenario modeling (api-scenario-modeler, natural language to scenario yaml) and #22 scenario runner (api-scenario-runner, run mode + compile to pytest with DB final-state asserts); interview bank completed at 200 questions (10 categories); tool directory launched with 140 curated tools across 5 categories (AI coding, API, UI automation, performance, security), one page per tool with verified repo links and screenshots; book list added with 66 must-read titles (permanent cloud links); communities section launched with 12 tech communities, an awesome-testing roundup, and the author's WeChat account & knowledge planet.
- 2026-09: Knowledge section added â 20-article "AI Testing in Action" series; interview question bank grew to 180 questions across 9 categories.
- 2026-08: v1 initial release â complete 10-stage learning roadmap + 4 hands-on projects + interview guide.
| 
| 
|
- **Author's WeChat**: add me with the remark "æĩåŧåĻäš " (SDET learning) to join the test development group and keep pace with fellow learners
- **Official WeChat Account ãæĩč¯åŧåææ¯ã**: AI productivity tips, SDET technical deep dives, and industry updates, pushed as soon as they're published
- **Knowledge Planet**: scan the QR code to join the community for in-depth exchanges with fellow SDETs
## Contributing
If you're a test development practitioner, an AI explorer, and willing to share your hands-on experience and lessons learned, join us in polishing this growth roadmap for every SDET in the AI era!
đ **What you'll gain:**
| Gain | Description |
| --- | --- |
| đ Visibility | Showcase professional judgment in an active community and build your personal brand |
| đ Deep learning | Expose yourself to diverse perspectives and sharpen your skills with peers |
| đ Recognition | Your contributions will be clearly credited and respected by the community |
| đ¤ Networking | Connect with like-minded partners in a vibrant test development ecosystem |
**How to participate:**
- Fix errors, add resources, share learning experience: feel free to open [Issues](https://github.com/zhoujinjian/ai-testing-guide/issues) and [PRs](https://github.com/zhoujinjian/ai-testing-guide/pulls); see the [contributing guide](./CONTRIBUTING.md) (Chinese)
- Want to co-build content in depth: add the author on WeChat (see [Community](#community) above) with the remark "å
ąåģē" (co-build)
## Thanks for the Star
If this roadmap helps you, please give it a **Star** âī¸ â your recognition keeps it updated!