Visual Studio allows you to create automated tests of the user interface (UI) known as coded UI tests. These tests provide functional testing of the UI and validation of UI controls. This article provides test automation guidance that helps you leverage the coded UI features of Visual Studio 2010 to foster a continuous, consistent and standard automation approach. Such an approach allows you to build, deploy and test, taking advantage of Visual Studio Lab Management features, which let automation testers reap the benefits of integrating with the build process for automatic build deployment, executing on VMs and reporting test automation results as part of Microsoft Test Manager (MTM). The article provides also a list of Do’s and Don’ts of UI automation. UI automation can be a tricky business. To help you get the best results, follow the advice, guidance and best practices for writing coded UI tests in the following Do and Don’t lists.