writing-tests

Writing Tests

Use this skill when the user asks to add tests to existing code, improve test coverage, or write tests for a specific file or module.

Steps

1. Detect the test setup — check what's already configured:

   # Check package.json for test runner
   cat package.json | grep -E "jest|vitest|mocha|playwright|cypress"
   

   Look for config files: vitest.config.ts, jest.config.ts, playwright.config.ts, .mocharc.*. Check for existing test files to understand the project's test patterns and conventions.

2. If no test runner exists — set one up:

   npm install -D vitest @testing-library/react @testing-library/jest-dom
   

   Add a test script to package.json:

   { "test": "vitest run", "test:watch": "vitest" }
   

3. Analyze the target code — read the file(s) to test and identify:

   • Public API: exported functions, classes, components, hooks
   • Code paths: conditionals, error handling, edge cases
   • Dependencies: external services, databases, APIs that need mocking
   • Side effects: file I/O, network calls, DOM mutations

4. Create the test file — place it next to the source file or in a __tests__/ directory, matching the project's convention:

   • src/utils/format.ts → src/utils/format.test.ts
   • src/components/Button.tsx → src/components/Button.test.tsx

5. Write tests following this structure:

   import { describe, it, expect, vi } from "vitest";
   
   describe("functionName", () => {
     // Happy path
     it("returns formatted output for valid input", () => { ... });
   
     // Edge cases
     it("handles empty string", () => { ... });
     it("handles null/undefined input", () => { ... });
   
     // Error cases
     it("throws on invalid argument", () => { ... });
   
     // Boundary conditions
     it("handles maximum length input", () => { ... });
   });
   

6. Mock external dependencies — don't make real API calls or database queries in unit tests: