testing

name	testing
description	Testing patterns for AAA structure, naming, mocks versus real dependencies, coverage targets, TDD flow, parameterized tests, and flake prevention. Use when writing, reviewing, or repairing automated test suites.

Testing

Write tests that isolate behavior, document intent, and fail for one reason at a time.

When to Activate

• Add tests for new behavior
• Refactor a flaky or slow test suite
• Decide whether a collaborator should be mocked
• Raise or enforce coverage expectations
• Convert duplicated tests into parameterized cases
• Review a PR for missing test coverage
• Drive a change with TDD

Test Structure

Phase	Purpose	Rule
Arrange	Build inputs and collaborators	Keep setup minimal and explicit
Act	Execute one behavior	One action per test
Assert	Verify outcome	Assert observable effects, not internals

Naming and Coverage

Style	Example
Python	test_create_user_rejects_duplicate_email
TypeScript	it("rejects duplicate email on createUser")
Go	func TestCreateUser_RejectsDuplicateEmail(t *testing.T)

Codebase Type	Target
Shared library	>= 90% line coverage
Backend service	>= 80% line coverage with integration coverage on critical flows
Frontend app	>= 70% on logic-heavy modules, plus E2E coverage on core journeys

Mock vs Real

Dependency	Default	Reason
Database adapter in unit tests	Mock or in-memory fake	Keep units fast
Pure domain services	Real	No need to mock deterministic logic
HTTP clients	Mock at network boundary	Avoid external flake
Serialization and validation	Real	Contract drift matters

TDD and Parameterization

Step	Goal
Red	Prove the behavior is missing
Green	Implement the smallest passing change
Refactor	Improve structure without changing behavior

Python

@pytest.mark.parametrize(("input", "expected"), [("A", "a"), ("B", "b")])
def test_normalize_code(input: str, expected: str) -> None:
    assert normalize_code(input) == expected

TypeScript

it.each([
  ["A", "a"],
  ["B", "b"],
])("normalizes %s", (input, expected) => {
  expect(normalizeCode(input)).toBe(expected);
});

Flakiness Prevention

Risk	Prevention
Time dependence	Freeze time or inject clock
Randomness	Seed generators
Order dependence	Isolate global state and DB fixtures
Network	Stub external calls

BAD

def test_user_flow():
    # creates user, sends email, checks DB, checks cache
    ...

GOOD

def test_create_user_persists_record() -> None:
    ...

def test_create_user_enqueues_welcome_email() -> None:
    ...

Checklist

• Each test follows Arrange, Act, Assert
• Test names describe behavior and scenario
• Mocks are used only at unstable boundaries
• Critical paths have integration coverage
• Time, randomness, and network are controlled
• Parameterized tests replace duplicated assertion logic where useful
• Coverage targets match the codebase type