# Load another test plan at runtime? **URL:** \ **Category:** Technical\ **Tags:** opentap-sdk, ks8400-editor\ **Created:** [February 18, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649 "2026-02-18T21:38:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85f322/32.png) [@fauser](https://forum.opentap.io/u/fauser)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/1 "2026-02-18T21:38:29Z")
I want to create a test step that loads a different test plan at runtime. The TreeView in PathWave should also display the new TestSteps. - Is this possible or why isn’t it possible? I have a lot of use cases and urgently need this logic: For example, when a new order is scanned (order ≠ previous order), I want to set up the new test plan and execute it directly, etc. - What’s the best way to implement this? - Do I need a nested structure of multiple sequences? ---
**Author:** ![rolf\_madsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@rolf\_madsen](https://forum.opentap.io/u/rolf_madsen)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 8:50am UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/2 "2026-02-19T08:50:18Z")
Hi @fauser, Loading a new test plan as part of the test plan execution itself is not supported. For this kind of use case it is recommended to create a custom operator panel. You can check out an example here: [GitHub - opentap/operator-panel: Operator UI Example Project](https://github.com/opentap/operator-panel). You could also have a test plan with sub-sequences for each type of device, maybe using test plan reference and then skip parts of the plan conditionally, depending on the loaded device. ---
**Author:** ![t\_marius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@t\_marius](https://forum.opentap.io/u/t_marius)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/3 "2026-03-18T08:34:51Z")
Hi @rolf_madsen, I’m also looking for a solution to this, can you elaborate a bit how the Operator UI could be a solution? The Test Plan Reference step would solve the issue if the Reference path property could be resolved at runtime ( a previous step to set it). As I know it works only if the path is set an steps loaded before the plan is running, could this be changed? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![mcftechnologiegmbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mcftechnologiegmbh](https://forum.opentap.io/u/mcftechnologiegmbh)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/4 "2026-04-07T15:33:20Z")
Hi @t_marius, changing a testplan while running is not possible. We are using OpenTAP for our testsystems. In our software framework we have 2 OpenTAP sessions running, to solve that problem. So one session is calling tests on another session. This makes it quite flexible. Br Robin ---
**Author:** ![t\_marius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@t\_marius](https://forum.opentap.io/u/t_marius)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 6:02am UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/5 "2026-04-08T06:02:28Z")
Hi Robin, We’re currently exploring possible designs for the application and have put together an initial proof of concept with multiple runners sessions and a UI client. It works, but my first impression is that there’s quite a bit of overhead when it comes to data handling. We also need to establish a clear way to enforce consistent topic naming and strict data typing. ---
**Author:** ![mcftechnologiegmbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mcftechnologiegmbh](https://forum.opentap.io/u/mcftechnologiegmbh)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 6:26am UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/6 "2026-04-08T06:26:37Z")
Hi Marius, this sounds like same principle we are using. There is some small overhead bc you need to transfer the data from Session 1 to Session 2. We’ve actually optimized this process quite a bit now. If you’re interested, we’d be happy to discuss it via Teams. ---
**Author:** ![t\_marius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@t\_marius](https://forum.opentap.io/u/t_marius)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.opentap.io/t/load-another-test-plan-at-runtime/2649/7 "2026-04-09T04:28:48Z")
Thank you Robin, much appreciated. I’ll send you a PM to setup a Teams meeting.