The Cypress documentation recommends using fixtures for file uploads, but cluttering up a repository with fixture files can feel gross. Ideally, the test suite could programmatically generate files on the fly that match the needs of a particular test.

You can use Cypress's selectFile method and a Blob to create file testing stubs that don't require an underlying fixture.

cy.get('[data-testid="file-input"]').selectFile({
  contents: Cypress.Blob.createBlob([]),
  fileName: "picture.png",
  mimeType: "image/png",
  lastModified: Date.now(),
});

This code stubs out a basic file that can be used by a file input. The only property that Cypress requires is contents, but the other properties can be used on an as-needed basis. For example, the mimeType can be used if the input field has an accept attribute, and the browser will use the mimeType from the stub and behave accordingly.