| name | run-acceptance-tests |
| description | Guide for running acceptance tests for a Terraform provider. Use this when asked to run an acceptance test or to run a test with the prefix `TestAcc`. |
| license | MPL-2.0 |
| metadata | {"copyright":"Copyright IBM Corp. 2026","version":"0.0.1"} |
An acceptance test is a Go test function with the prefix TestAcc.
To run a focused acceptance test named TestAccFeatureHappyPath:
- Run
go test -run=TestAccFeatureHappyPath with TF_ACC=1.
Default to non-verbose output.
- Some providers require additional environment variables. If the test output
reports missing variables, suggest secure setup steps.
To diagnose a failing test, apply these options cumulatively (each includes the previous):
- Re-run with
-count=1 to bypass the Go test cache.
- Add
-v for verbose output.
- Set
TF_LOG=debug for debug-level logging.
- Set
TF_ACC_WORKING_DIR_PERSIST=1 to preserve the Terraform workspace for
inspection.
A passing test may be a false negative. To "flip" a passing test:
- Edit a TestCheckFunc value in a TestStep of the TestCase.
- Run the test — expect failure.
- If it fails, undo the edit and report a successful flip.
If it passes, keep the edit and report an unsuccessful flip.
