A test plan describes a series of steps JMeter will execute when run. A complete test plan will consiste of one or more Thread Groups, logic conrollers, sample generating controllers, listeners, timers, assertions, and configuration elements.

3.1 Adding and Removing Elements

Adding elements to a test plan can be done by right-clicking on an element in the tree, and choosing a new element from the "add" list. Alternatively, elements can be loaded from file and added by choosing the "open" option. To remove an element, make sure the element is selected, right-click on the element, and choose the "remove" option.

3.2 Loading and Saving Elements

To load an element from file, right click on the existing tree element to which you want to add the loaded element, and select the "open" option. Choose the file where your elements are saved. JMeter will load the elements into the tree. To save tree elements, right click on an element and choose the "save" option. JMeter will save the element selected, plus all child elements beneath it. In this way, you can save test tree fragments, individual elements, or the entire test plan.

3.3 Configuring Tree Elements

Any element in the test tree will present controls in JMeter's right-hand frame. These controls allow you to configure the behavior of that particular test element. What can be configured for an element depends on what type of element it is. The Test Tree itself can be manipulated by dragging and dropping components around the test tree.

3.4 Running a Test Plan

To run your test plan, choose "start" from the "run" menu item. To stop your test plan, choose "stop" from the same menu. JMeter does not automatically give any indication of whether it is currently running. Some listeners make it obvious if JMeter is running, but the only way to be sure is to check the "run" menu. If "start" is disabled, and "stop" is enabled, JMeter is running your test plan (or, at least, it thinks it is).