| name | testing-ios-code |
| description | Write tests, add test coverage, unit test, or add missing tests for Bitwarden iOS. Use when asked to "write tests", "add test coverage", "test this", "unit test", "add tests for", "missing tests", or when creating test files for new implementations. |
Testing iOS Code
Use this skill to write tests following Bitwarden iOS patterns.
Prerequisites
Read Docs/Testing.md — it is the authoritative source for test structure, naming, templates, decision matrix, and simulator configuration.
Step 1: Choose Framework
| Scenario | Framework | Why |
|---|
| New test file | Swift Testing | Preferred for all new tests |
| Existing XCTest file | XCTest | Don't mix frameworks in one file |
| ViewInspector tests | XCTest | ViewInspector requires XCTest |
| Snapshot tests | XCTest | SnapshotTesting requires BitwardenTestCase |
Step 2: Determine Test Type
Choose the right test type based on what you're testing:
| What | Test type | XCTest example | Swift Testing example |
|---|
| Processor actions/effects/state | Unit test | examples/processor-test-example.md | examples/processor-test-swift-testing-example.md |
| Coordinator navigation/routes | Unit test | examples/coordinator-test-example.md | examples/coordinator-test-swift-testing-example.md |
| View interactions (buttons, toggles) | ViewInspector test | examples/view-test-example.md | — (use XCTest) |
| View appearance | Snapshot test (disabletest_ prefix) | examples/view-test-example.md | — (use XCTest) |
| Service/repository business logic | Unit test | examples/service-test-example.md | examples/service-test-swift-testing-example.md |
Step 3: Test Setup Pattern
Swift Testing (new files)
Use a struct with init() — no teardown needed, value types are discarded after each test:
@MainActor
struct FeatureProcessorTests {
let coordinator: MockCoordinator<FeatureRoute, FeatureEvent>
let services: MockServiceContainer
let subject: FeatureProcessor
init() {
coordinator = MockCoordinator()
services = ServiceContainer.withMocks()
subject = FeatureProcessor(
coordinator: coordinator.asAnyCoordinator(),
services: services,
state: FeatureState(),
)
}
}
XCTest (existing files, ViewInspector, snapshots)
Use a class subclassing BitwardenTestCase with setUp()/tearDown():
class FeatureProcessorTests: BitwardenTestCase {
var coordinator: MockCoordinator<FeatureRoute, FeatureEvent>!
var services: MockServiceContainer!
var subject: FeatureProcessor!
override func setUp() {
super.setUp()
coordinator = MockCoordinator()
services = ServiceContainer.withMocks()
subject = FeatureProcessor(
coordinator: coordinator.asAnyCoordinator(),
services: services,
state: FeatureState(),
)
}
override func tearDown() {
super.tearDown()
coordinator = nil
services = nil
subject = nil
}
}
See examples/ for complete patterns per test type.
Step 4: Write Tests
Naming
| Framework | Pattern | Example |
|---|
| Swift Testing | @Test func <functionName>_<behavior>() | @Test func perform_appeared_loadsData() async |
| XCTest | func test_<functionName>_<behavior>() | func test_perform_appeared_loadsData() async |
Assertions
| XCTest | Swift Testing |
|---|
XCTAssertEqual(a, b) | #expect(a == b) |
XCTAssertTrue(x) | #expect(x == true) or #expect(x) |
XCTAssertNil(x) | #expect(x == nil) |
XCTAssertNotNil(x) | #expect(x != nil) |
XCTUnwrap(x) | try #require(x) |
XCTAssertThrowsError | #expect(throws:) { ... } |
Test focus areas
Processor tests — test both paths:
receive(_:) actions: assert subject.state mutations
perform(_:) effects: await subject.perform(.effect), then assert state or coordinator calls
- Always test error paths, not just happy path
Service tests — test:
- Successful operations
- Error handling and propagation
- Interactions with mocked dependencies
View tests — test (XCTest only):
- Button taps →
processor.dispatchedActions.last (sync)
- Async button taps →
processor.effects.last
- State-driven UI (disabled buttons, text content)
Step 5: Verify Co-location
Test files must live alongside implementation files:
BitwardenShared/UI/Auth/Login/LoginProcessor.swift
BitwardenShared/UI/Auth/Login/LoginProcessorTests.swift ← same directory
Step 6: Mock Generation
New protocols need mocks:
- Add
// sourcery: AutoMockable as a trailing comment on the protocol declaration line
- Run
./Scripts/generate-mocks.sh <Framework> where <Framework> matches the target (e.g. BitwardenShared, AuthenticatorShared, BitwardenKit, AuthenticatorBridgeKit) — requires BUILD_DIR, see script header
- Or just build — Sourcery runs automatically in pre-build phase
See references/mock-generation.md for full details.
Conventions
- Fixtures live in the shared fixtures file for their area — reusable SDK-model and
CipherView fixtures belong in the shared BitwardenSdk+<Area>Fixtures.swift file for the domain the model belongs to (e.g. CipherView.cardFixture()), not co-located inside an individual test file. Pick the file by area and framework: Vault models go in …/UI/Vault/PreviewContent/BitwardenSdk+VaultFixtures.swift, Auth models in …/Core/Auth/Services/TestHelpers/BitwardenSdk+AuthFixtures.swift, Tools models in …/Core/Tools/Extensions/TestHelpers/BitwardenSdk+ToolsFixtures.swift, and so on — under BitwardenShared for Password Manager or the AuthenticatorShared counterpart for Authenticator. Add new reusable fixtures to the matching file (create the area's fixtures file if one doesn't exist yet).
- Split large test files per feature — when a test file grows unwieldy, break it into
<Type>Tests+<Feature>.swift extensions (e.g. AddEditItemProcessorTests+DriversLicense.swift), and author the new file in Swift Testing.
- Snapshot tests — pick the approach with the user — there are two valid patterns, and which fits is a human-discretion call. (1) Instantiate the view directly: build it with a
MockProcessor/Store in setUp, then assertSnapshot(of: subject.navStackWrapped, as:) per state (all prefixed disabletest_); see AddEditSendItemView+SnapshotTests.swift. This is required for new views, which use #Preview macros that the snapshot harness cannot enumerate. (2) Iterate PreviewProvider._allPreviews, which is sometimes the better path for views that still expose a PreviewProvider. When a view could go either way, use the AskUserQuestion tool to let the user choose rather than deciding unilaterally — offer (a) instantiate the view directly and (b) iterate PreviewProvider._allPreviews, noting that direct instantiation is required if the view only exposes #Preview macros.