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QTM4J: Start New Execution

qtm4j_start_new_execution

Launch a new test case execution within a test cycle, assigning environment, build, planned date, assignee, or cloning an existing execution.

Instructions

Start a new test case execution within a test cycle. Looks up the internal map ID from testCycleKey and testCaseKey; resolves environmentId and buildId names to numeric IDs.

Toolset: Test Executions

Parameters:

  • testCycleKey (string) required: Test cycle key in the format '{PROJECT_KEY}-TR-{number}', e.g. 'SCRUM-TR-101'. Used directly as the API path parameter.

  • testCaseKey (string) required: Test case key in the format '{PROJECT_KEY}-TC-{number}', e.g. 'SCRUM-TC-145'.

  • assignee (string): Jira account ID of the user to assign this execution to (e.g. '5e4a642c1c9d440008f2a2b4'). This is the account ID, not a display name.

  • executionPlannedDate (string): Planned execution date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy' e.g. '15/Oct/2025'. Month must be capitalised (Oct, not oct or OCT).

  • environmentId (string): Environment name (e.g. 'Production', 'Staging', 'Google Chrome', 'Firefox'). Auto-resolved to its numeric ID; an unresolved name is dropped and a warning is returned.

  • buildId (string): Build name (e.g. 'Build 2.0', '1.0.0'). Auto-resolved to its numeric ID; an unresolved name is dropped and a warning is returned.

  • actualTime (string): Time already spent on the execution. Format: 'HH:mm:ss' e.g. '02:30:00' (2 hours 30 minutes 0 seconds).

  • cloneFrom (number): Source testCaseExecutionId to clone. When set, the new execution copies the source's execution and all other body fields are ignored by the server.

  • cloneExecutionCustomFields (boolean): When true, custom field values from the previous execution of this test case are copied into the new execution.

Output Description: Confirmation object with testCycleKey, testCaseKey, and created: true (set when server returns 204).

Use Cases: 1. Start a fresh execution for a test case in a test cycle 2. Clone an existing execution

Examples:

  1. Start an execution for a test case (minimal)

{
  "testCycleKey": "PROJ-TR-101",
  "testCaseKey": "PROJ-TC-42"
}

Expected Output: { testCycleKey: 'PROJ-TR-101', testCaseKey: 'PROJ-TC-42', created: true }

  1. Start execution with environment, build and planned date

{
  "testCycleKey": "PROJ-TR-101",
  "testCaseKey": "PROJ-TC-42",
  "environmentId": "Production",
  "buildId": "Build 2.0",
  "executionPlannedDate": "15/Oct/2025",
  "assignee": "5e4a642c1c9d440008f2a2b4"
}

Expected Output: { testCycleKey: 'PROJ-TR-101', testCaseKey: 'PROJ-TC-42', created: true }

  1. Clone an existing execution

{
  "testCycleKey": "PROJ-TR-101",
  "testCaseKey": "PROJ-TC-42",
  "cloneFrom": 725981
}

Expected Output: { testCycleKey: 'PROJ-TR-101', testCaseKey: 'PROJ-TC-42', created: true }

  1. Start a fresh execution and carry over custom field values from the previous execution

{
  "testCycleKey": "PROJ-TR-101",
  "testCaseKey": "PROJ-TC-42",
  "cloneExecutionCustomFields": true
}

Expected Output: { testCycleKey: 'PROJ-TR-101', testCaseKey: 'PROJ-TC-42', created: true }

Hints: 1. Call set_project_context before this tool. 2. executionPlannedDate must be in 'dd/MMM/yyyy' format (e.g. '15/Oct/2025', month 3-letter capitalised). Normalize from any user-provided format before calling. 3. When cloneFrom is non-zero, the server ignores all body fields. 4. assignee must be a Jira account ID (e.g. '5e4a642c1c9d440008f2a2b4'), not a display name. 5. environmentId and buildId accept name as strings that are resolved to numeric IDs; unresolved names are dropped and a warning is returned. 6. actualTime must be in 'HH:mm:ss' format (e.g. '02:30:00'). Always include seconds.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
buildIdNoBuild name (e.g. 'Build 2.0', '1.0.0'). Auto-resolved to its numeric ID; an unresolved name is dropped and a warning is returned.
assigneeNoJira account ID of the user to assign this execution to (e.g. '5e4a642c1c9d440008f2a2b4'). This is the account ID, not a display name.
cloneFromNoSource testCaseExecutionId to clone. When set, the new execution copies the source's execution and all other body fields are ignored by the server.
actualTimeNoTime already spent on the execution. Format: 'HH:mm:ss' e.g. '02:30:00' (2 hours 30 minutes 0 seconds).
testCaseKeyYesTest case key in the format '{PROJECT_KEY}-TC-{number}', e.g. 'SCRUM-TC-145'.
testCycleKeyYesTest cycle key in the format '{PROJECT_KEY}-TR-{number}', e.g. 'SCRUM-TR-101'. Used directly as the API path parameter.
environmentIdNoEnvironment name (e.g. 'Production', 'Staging', 'Google Chrome', 'Firefox'). Auto-resolved to its numeric ID; an unresolved name is dropped and a warning is returned.
executionPlannedDateNoPlanned execution date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy' e.g. '15/Oct/2025'. Month must be capitalised (Oct, not oct or OCT).
cloneExecutionCustomFieldsNoWhen true, custom field values from the previous execution of this test case are copied into the new execution.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
createdYesTrue when the server returned 204 No Content, confirming the execution was created successfully.
testCaseKeyYesTest case key of the created execution (e.g. 'SCRUM-TC-145').
testCycleKeyYesKey of the test cycle in which the execution was created (e.g. 'SCRUM-TR-101').
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description discloses non-obvious behaviors beyond annotations: environmentId/buildId are auto-resolved and dropped with a warning if unresolved, cloneFrom causes other body fields to be ignored, cloneExecutionCustomFields copies previous execution values, and output confirms 'created: true' only on 204. These details are not present in the annotations and materially aid the agent.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is long but well-structured into Toolset, Parameters, Output Description, Use Cases, Examples, and Hints. Every section serves a purpose, and the critical intent is front-loaded in the first sentence. The length is justified by the tool's 9-parameter complexity, though it could be tightened.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the 9 parameters, required keys, and API quirks, the description covers prerequisites (set_project_context), all parameter formats, edge cases (unresolved names, cloneFrom behavior), and provides four illustrative examples with expected outputs. It leaves no significant gap for an agent to invoke the tool correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% with detailed param descriptions, but the description adds practical value through examples, format warnings (e.g., 'Month must be capitalised'), and behavior hints like 'Always include seconds' for actualTime. It reinforces and extends the schema rather than merely repeating it, though some redundancy exists.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description opens with 'Start a new test case execution within a test cycle', a specific verb+resource statement that clearly identifies the tool's action. It further explains that it resolves environment/build names to numeric IDs, and the separation from sibling tools like qtm4j_update_test_case_execution is clear from the 'new execution' focus.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides use cases ('Start a fresh execution', 'Clone an existing execution') and a prerequisite hint ('Call set_project_context before this tool'), giving clear context on when to use it. It does not explicitly name alternative tools or state when not to use it, but the 'Toolset: Test Executions' section and the contrast with 'Update Test Case Execution' imply the intended usage.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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