---
sourceDocument: Yokohama Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/application-development

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Administering the Automated Test Framework (ATF)

# Administering the Automated Test Framework (ATF) {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Enable or disable the Automated Test Framework, modify
retention policies, move tests between instances, control user access to the Automated Test
Framework, and create custom test step configurations and step environments.{#atf-admin-overview__n5s_nbx_mx}

For details about individual properties that control how the Automated Test Framework works, see [Properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kcx6hsY5387sFbfeJbFwlw "On the Properties form, you can set parameters that control how the system executes automated tests and test suites.").
* **[Creating custom test step configurations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uaxvm8_kOE8Oubn5wfkk0w)**   
  Step configuration records (or step configs) define how each step type behaves. You can create new step configurations that define custom steps that run on the server.
* **[Working with test step templates](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xiqDzzUkFDZUkEYLqsu8KQ)**   
  Test step templates contain a list of steps to be added all at once to an automated test.
* **[Enable or disable executing Automated Test Framework tests](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/otmxyQR0jORMBC6VBscW1g)**   
  Allow or prevent tests and test suites from executing on this instance.
* **[Modify data retention policy for ATF test results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dj0mm1u0qZNuwOSVBX~nLg)**   
  Modify the Auto Flush data retention policy, which designates how long the system retains data, and referencing data, for test and test suite results. You can change the frequency of flushing for the sys_atf_test_result or sys_atf_test_suite_result base tables. This setting controls how far back in time test result data is available.
* **[Manage status and retention policies for automated test client runners](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/co7M47uwZNuR_C8UXIwgZw)**   
  Modify how often active client test runners report in to the system and how long the system retains records for inactive client test runners.
* **[Moving automated tests from one instance to another](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uq5pLKusbnEQtdA50RuvEw)**   
  Move automated tests from one instance to another using the normal process for update sets.
* **[Compare results and execution times for different automated test and suite results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6wLUZg9xEQO5equ7~ueRmg)**   
  You can compare execution times for different runs of an automated test or automated test suite. You can also compare results over time for a single automated test suite.
* **[Administering REST test step configurations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/M3KefryxzP5gf3YYOiRzfQ)**   
  Set request and response payload sizes, filter request and response headers, and create basic auth profiles.
* **[Optimizing automatic test performance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/J7ccjPx7CIz8RsxmqWuoUw)**   
  You can troubleshoot automatic test performance by inspecting system transaction log records and potentially shorten execution time by adjusting how often automatic tests capture screenshots.
* **[Working with scheduled test suites](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Gb13MZuw~5KcqKEufdeI4g#atf-sched-suites)**   
  You can schedule a test suite to run at a specified date and time.