Automatically generate test scaffolding when user writes new code without tests or mentions needing tests. Supports unit, integration, e2e, and data tests for PHP and JavaScript. Invoke when user mentions "tests", "testing", "coverage", "write tests", or shows new untested code.
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Automatically generate test scaffolding when user writes new code without tests or mentions needing tests. Supports unit, integration, e2e, and data tests for PHP and JavaScript. Invoke when user mentions "tests", "testing", "coverage", "write tests", or shows new untested code.
Test Scaffolding Generator
Automatically generate test scaffolding for untested code.
Testing Philosophy
Good tests are an investment, not a cost.
Core Beliefs
Tests as Documentation: Tests show how code should be used
Fast Feedback: Quick tests enable rapid development
Confidence to Refactor: Good test coverage allows safe changes
Regression Prevention: Tests catch bugs before production
Scope Balance
Quick scaffolding (this skill): Fast test generation for single classes/functions
Comprehensive suites (/test-generate command): Full project test coverage with test plans
Manual refinement: Human review adds edge cases and business logic validation (essential for quality)
This skill provides rapid test scaffolding. For complete coverage, use comprehensive test generation + manual refinement.
When to Use This Skill
Activate this skill when the user:
Shows new code and says "I need tests for this"
Asks "how do I test this?"
Mentions "no tests yet" or "untested code"
Says "I should write tests" or "need test coverage"
Shows a class/function and asks about testing
Mentions specific test types: "unit test", "integration test", "e2e test"
Decision Framework
Before generating test scaffolding, determine:
What Type of Code Is This?
Business logic function โ Unit test (fast, isolated)
Class with dependencies โ Unit test with mocks/stubs
API endpoint โ Integration test (test with real dependencies)
UI component โ Component test (render, interactions)
User flow โ E2E test (full browser simulation)
What Test Framework?
PHP (Drupal/WordPress):
PHPUnit for unit and integration tests
Drupal Kernel tests for module testing
WordPress test framework for plugins/themes
JavaScript:
Jest for unit and component tests
Cypress for E2E tests
React Testing Library for React components
What Should Be Tested?
Unit tests (highest priority):
โ Happy path - Expected behavior with valid input
User requests tests for code
โ
Analyze code type (function/class/endpoint/UI)
โ
Determine test type (unit/integration/e2e)
โ
Identify framework (PHPUnit/Jest/Cypress)
โ
Determine what to test (happy/edge/error)
โ
Identify dependencies to mock
โ
Generate test scaffolding with descriptive names
โ
Include AAA structure comments
Workflow
1. Analyze the Code to Test
Identify:
Class name and namespace
Methods to test (public methods)
Dependencies (constructor parameters)
Return types
Drupal vs WordPress context
2. Determine Test Type
Unit Tests - For isolated logic:
Services with minimal dependencies
Utility functions
Data transformation
Business logic
Integration Tests - For component interaction:
Controllers with database
Form handlers
API endpoints
Complex workflows
E2E Tests - For user workflows:
Login/authentication
Multi-step forms
Content creation
Admin interfaces
3. Generate Appropriate Test Scaffold
Test Templates
Complete test templates are available for reference:
Use these templates as starting points, adapting for the specific code being tested.
Generation Strategy
1. Start Simple
Generate basic test structure first:
Test class/describe block
Setup/teardown methods
One or two simple test cases
2. Identify Test Cases
For each public method:
Happy path (valid input โ expected output)
Error cases (invalid input โ exception)
Edge cases (empty, null, boundary values)
State changes (before/after verification)
3. Mock Dependencies
Identify what needs mocking:
Database calls
External APIs
File system operations
Time-dependent code
4. Add Assertions
Check:
Return values
State changes
Side effects
Error handling
Quick Response Patterns
For Simple Classes
When user shows a class with 2-3 methods:
Identify the test type (unit vs integration)
Generate test class with proper structure
Create tests for each public method:
Happy path test
Error case test
Edge case test (if applicable)
Include setup/teardown as needed
Add descriptive test names
Example Response:
"I'll generate PHPUnit tests for your UserManager class.
I see 3 public methods:
- getUser() - retrieves user data
- createUser() - creates new user
- deleteUser() - removes user
I'll create:
- Unit tests for getUser() (no database needed)
- Integration tests for createUser() and deleteUser() (require database)
[Generates test file with 6-8 test methods covering happy paths,
error cases, and edge cases]
This gives you ~80% coverage to start."
For WordPress Functions
When user shows WordPress function using WP APIs:
Determine if unit or integration test
Use WP_UnitTestCase for integration
Use factories for test data
Include setup/teardown for cleanup
Example Response:
"For WordPress functions using WP_Query, you'll want an integration test.
I'll generate a WP_UnitTestCase test that:
1. Creates test posts using the factory
2. Calls your function
3. Verifies the query results
4. Cleans up automatically in tearDown()
[Generates test code]
The test uses wp_insert_post() to create test data."
For Drupal Services
When user shows Drupal service with dependencies:
Identify service dependencies
Create mocks for dependencies in setUp()
Generate unit tests with dependency injection
Add @covers annotations
Example Response:
"I'll generate unit tests for your DataProcessor service.
I see it depends on:
- EntityTypeManagerInterface
- LoggerInterface
I'll:
1. Create mocks for these dependencies
2. Test each public method in isolation
3. Verify interactions with dependencies
4. Add @covers annotations for coverage tracking
[Generates test file with mocked dependencies]
This keeps tests fast by avoiding database calls."
For JavaScript/React Components
When user shows JS function or React component:
Identify if pure function or component
Use Jest for unit tests
Use React Testing Library for components
Mock external dependencies
Integration with CMS Cultivator
This skill complements the /test-generate slash command:
This Skill: Automatically triggered during conversation
"I need tests for this class"
"How do I test this function?"
Quick single-class test generation
/test-generate Command: Explicit batch generation
Generate tests for entire module
Comprehensive test suite creation
Project-wide test coverage
Best Practices
DO:
โ Test behavior, not implementation details
โ Use descriptive test names (testCreateUserWithValidData() not testCreateUser())
โ Follow Arrange-Act-Assert pattern for clarity
โ Keep tests independent (no dependencies between tests)
โ Test error cases and edge cases, not just happy path
โ Keep tests fast (< 100ms for unit tests)
โ Use factories or fixtures for test data
โ Write tests before fixing bugs (TDD for bug fixes)
DON'T:
โ Test private methods directly (test through public interface)
โ Have multiple assertions testing different things (split into separate tests)
โ Share state between tests (causes flaky tests)
โ Test framework code or third-party libraries
โ Use production database or live APIs in tests
โ Leave test data behind (always clean up)
โ Skip test setup to save time (leads to unclear tests)
โ Copy-paste test code (extract helper methods)
โ Use sleep() or arbitrary waits (use proper async patterns)
โ Write tests that depend on test execution order
Example Interactions
Example 1: Simple class
User: "I wrote this UserManager class, need tests"
[Shows class with 3 methods]
Skill: "I'll generate PHPUnit tests for your UserManager class.
I see 3 public methods: createUser(), getUser(), deleteUser().
I'll create tests for the happy path and error cases for each.
[Generates test file]
This gives you 80% coverage to start. You may want to add edge case
tests for boundary conditions."
Example 2: WordPress function
User: "How do I test this WordPress function?"
[Shows custom function that uses WP_Query]
Skill: "For WordPress functions using WP_Query, you'll want an
integration test. I'll generate a WP_UnitTestCase test that:
1. Creates test posts using the factory
2. Calls your function
3. Verifies the query results
[Generates test code]
The test uses wp_insert_post() to create test data, then cleans up
automatically in tearDown()."
Example 3: React component
User: "Need tests for this React component"
[Shows UserProfile component]
Skill: "I'll create React Testing Library tests for your UserProfile component.
I see it:
- Displays user data from props
- Has edit button that calls onEdit callback
- Shows loading state
I'll generate tests for:
1. Rendering with user data
2. Clicking edit button
3. Loading state display
[Generates test file using React Testing Library]
These tests verify the component behavior from a user perspective."
Common Patterns
Testing Private Methods
Don't. Test public interface instead. If private method needs testing, consider extracting to separate class.
Testing Static Methods
// Avoid static methods when possible// If you must, test directly$result = MyClass::staticMethod($input);
$this->assertEquals($expected, $result);
Testing Database Operations
// Use transactions for rollbackprotectedfunctionsetUp(): void{
parent::setUp();
$this->database->beginTransaction();
}
protectedfunctiontearDown(): void{
$this->database->rollbackTransaction();
parent::tearDown();
}
Testing Async JavaScript
it('fetches user data', async () => {
const user = awaitfetchUser(123);
expect(user.name).toBe('John Doe');
});
// Or with promisesit('fetches user data', () => {
returnfetchUser(123).then(user => {
expect(user.name).toBe('John Doe');
});
});