rust-testing

name	rust-testing
description	Rust testing patterns and best practices. Use this skill when writing, reviewing, or modifying Rust tests. Covers test organization, assertions with pretty_assertions, parameterized tests, and testing multiple input formats.

Rust Testing Guide

Project-specific testing patterns for consistent, readable tests.

Test Organization

• Colocate tests with code in #[cfg(test)] modules (not separate tests/ directories)
• Write tests integration-style (test public APIs) not unit-style (test internals)

Assertions with pretty_assertions

Import with prefixes to avoid shadowing (see hurry/tests/it/passthrough.rs:7 or hurry/src/cargo/build_args.rs:650):

use pretty_assertions::assert_eq as pretty_assert_eq;

Key Pattern: Construct Full Expected Value First

Always construct the ENTIRE expected value upfront and compare in ONE operation:

// ✅ Prefer: Declare expected value first, single assertion
let expected = serde_json::json!({
    "written": [key1, key2, key3],
    "skipped": [],
    "errors": [],
});
let body = response.json::<Value>();
pretty_assert_eq!(body, expected);

// ❌ Avoid: Property-by-property assertions
let body = response.json::<Value>();
pretty_assert_eq!(body["written"].len(), 3);
pretty_assert_eq!(body["skipped"], serde_json::json!([]));
assert!(body["written"].contains(&key1));

When Values Are Non-Deterministic

For unpredictable values (like error messages), keep property checks minimal:

// ✅ Good: Check structure separately
pretty_assert_eq!(body["written"], serde_json::json!([]));
pretty_assert_eq!(body["errors"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 1);
assert!(body["errors"][0]["error"].as_str().unwrap().contains("expected substring"));

See references/assertion-patterns.md for more examples

Parameterized Tests

Use simple_test_case for tests with multiple variations (see hurry/tests/it/passthrough.rs:55-65 or hurry/src/cargo/build_args.rs:655-662):

use simple_test_case::test_case;

#[test_case("--release"; "long")]
#[test_case("-r"; "short")]
#[test]
fn parses_release_flag(flag: &str) {
    let args = CargoBuildArguments::from_iter(vec![flag]);
    assert!(args.is_release());
    pretty_assert_eq!(args.profile(), Some("release"));
}

Each case runs independently: parses_release_flag::long, parses_release_flag::short

See references/parameterized-tests.md for testing multiple input formats

Running Tests

Use cargo nextest:

cargo nextest run -p {PACKAGE_NAME}

Available packages: hurry, courier, clients, e2e

Workflow

1. Write tests
2. Run tests for the package
3. If successful, commit
4. If tests fail, fix issues before committing

When to Use This Skill

Invoke when:

• Writing new tests
• Reviewing test code
• Debugging test failures
• Setting up test patterns for new modules