run-tests

name	run-tests
description	Automatically invoked when running tests, analyzing test results, or verifying code changes. Ensures tests are run appropriately and results are interpreted correctly. Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"aandersland"}

Run Tests Skill

This skill activates when you need to run tests, analyze test output, or verify code changes.

When This Skill Activates

Automatically engage when:

• Implementing or modifying code
• Fixing bugs
• Completing a feature
• Before committing changes
• Investigating test failures
• Validating refactoring
• After dependency updates

Test Running Principles

Run Appropriate Test Level

• Unit tests - During development, after each change
• Integration tests - After unit tests pass, before committing
• E2E tests - Before merging, for critical flows
• Full suite - Before release, in CI/CD

Interpret Results Correctly

• Understand failure root causes
• Distinguish test failures from code failures
• Identify flaky tests
• Recognize false positives/negatives

Fix Failures Systematically

• One failure at a time
• Fix tests that reveal real bugs first
• Update tests that are outdated
• Remove tests that are no longer valuable

Test Commands Reference

Common Test Commands

# Run all tests
npm test
# or
yarn test
# or
pytest
# or
cargo test

# Run specific test file
npm test path/to/test.spec.js
pytest tests/test_user.py
cargo test user_tests

# Run tests matching pattern
npm test -- --grep "user"
pytest -k "user"
cargo test user

# Run with coverage
npm test -- --coverage
pytest --cov=src tests/
cargo test --coverage

# Run in watch mode
npm test -- --watch
pytest --watch
cargo watch -x test

# Run only failed tests
npm test -- --only-failures
pytest --lf

Test Running Workflow

1. Identify What to Test

Changed a function? Run unit tests for that function

npm test user.service.spec.js

Changed an API endpoint? Run integration tests

npm test -- --grep "POST /api/users"

Changed UI component? Run component tests

npm test UserProfile.test.jsx

Fixed a bug? Run tests that cover that code path

Refactored? Run full test suite

2. Run Tests

Execute appropriate test command from project root

3. Analyze Results

Success ✓

PASS  tests/user.service.spec.js
  UserService
    ✓ creates user with valid data (15ms)
    ✓ throws error for invalid email (8ms)
    ✓ throws error for duplicate email (12ms)

Test Suites: 1 passed, 1 total
Tests:       3 passed, 3 total
Time:        2.145s

Action: Proceed with confidence

Failure ✗

FAIL  tests/user.service.spec.js
  UserService
    ✓ creates user with valid data (15ms)
    ✗ throws error for invalid email (23ms)
    ✓ throws error for duplicate email (12ms)

  ● UserService › throws error for invalid email

    expect(received).toThrow(expected)

    Expected: "Invalid email"
    Received: function did not throw

      18 |   it('throws error for invalid email', () => {
      19 |     const invalidUser = { email: 'invalid', name: 'Test' }
    > 20 |     expect(() => createUser(invalidUser)).toThrow('Invalid email')
         |                                            ^
      21 |   })

Action: Investigate and fix

4. Investigate Failures

Read Error Message

• What was expected?
• What was received?
• What line failed?

Check Code

• Is the test correct?
• Is the code correct?
• Is there a race condition?
• Is test data stale?

Reproduce Locally

• Run test in isolation
• Run with debugger
• Add console.logs
• Check test assumptions

5. Fix Issues

Code Bug

Fix the code, then re-run tests

Test Bug

Fix the test, then re-run

Flaky Test

• Identify timing issues
• Add proper async handling
• Mock time-dependent functions
• Increase timeouts cautiously

Outdated Test

Update test to match new requirements

6. Verify Fix

Re-run tests to confirm they pass

7. Run Broader Tests

After local tests pass, run:

• Related tests
• Full test suite
• Integration tests
• E2E tests (if applicable)

Test Output Interpretation

All Pass

Test Suites: 5 passed, 5 total
Tests:       47 passed, 47 total

Meaning: All tests executed successfully Action: Proceed with commit/deployment

Some Fail

Test Suites: 3 failed, 2 passed, 5 total
Tests:       12 failed, 35 passed, 47 total

Meaning: Code changes broke existing functionality Action: Investigate and fix failures before proceeding

Test Errors

Error: Cannot find module 'some-module'

Meaning: Test setup or dependency issue Action: Check dependencies, run npm install

Timeout

Timeout - Async callback was not invoked within timeout

Meaning: Async operation didn't complete Action: Check async handling, increase timeout if legitimate

Coverage Report

File           | % Stmts | % Branch | % Funcs | % Lines |
---------------|---------|----------|---------|---------|
user.service.js|   85.71 |    75.00 |   83.33 |   85.71 |
All files      |   85.71 |    75.00 |   83.33 |   85.71 |

Meaning: Percentage of code covered by tests Action: Review uncovered lines, add tests for critical paths

Test Types and When to Run

Unit Tests

What: Individual functions, methods, classes When: During development, after each code change Speed: Very fast (< 1 second) Command: npm test path/to/unit.test.js

Integration Tests

What: Component interactions, API endpoints, database operations When: After unit tests pass, before committing Speed: Fast to moderate (seconds) Command: npm test:integration or similar

E2E Tests

What: Complete user flows, critical business processes When: Before merging, before deployment Speed: Slow (minutes) Command: npm test:e2e or similar

Smoke Tests

What: Basic functionality checks When: After deployment, after major changes Speed: Fast Command: npm test:smoke or similar

Coverage Analysis

Running Coverage

npm test -- --coverage

Understanding Coverage

• Statements: % of executable statements run
• Branches: % of if/else branches taken
• Functions: % of functions called
• Lines: % of lines executed

Coverage Targets

• Critical paths: 90%+
• Business logic: 80%+
• Utilities: 80%+
• Overall: 70-80%

Coverage Gaps

-----------------|---------|----------|---------|---------|
File             | % Stmts | % Branch | % Funcs | % Lines |
-----------------|---------|----------|---------|---------|
user.service.js  |   85.71 |    50.00 |   83.33 |   85.71 | 45-47

Uncovered lines: 45-47

Action: Review those lines, add tests if critical

Debugging Test Failures

Run Single Test

npm test -- --testNamePattern="creates user"

Run with Verbose Output

npm test -- --verbose

Add Debug Statements

it('creates user', () => {
  console.log('Input:', userData)
  const result = createUser(userData)
  console.log('Result:', result)
  expect(result.id).toBeDefined()
})

Use Debugger

it('creates user', () => {
  debugger; // Add breakpoint
  const result = createUser(userData)
  expect(result.id).toBeDefined()
})

Check Test Isolation

# Run test alone
npm test user.spec.js

# Run with other tests
npm test

If it passes alone but fails with others → test interdependence issue

Common Test Issues

Flaky Tests

Symptom: Sometimes pass, sometimes fail Causes:

• Timing/race conditions
• Shared state between tests
• External dependencies
• Random data

Solutions:

• Proper async/await usage
• Reset state between tests
• Mock external dependencies
• Use deterministic test data

Slow Tests

Symptom: Tests take too long Causes:

• Too many E2E tests
• Not using mocks
• Database operations
• Network requests

Solutions:

• Mock external dependencies
• Use test doubles
• Optimize test setup
• Run critical tests only during development

False Positives

Symptom: Tests pass but code is broken Causes:

• Testing implementation not behavior
• Insufficient assertions
• Mock returning incorrect data

Solutions:

• Test observable behavior
• Add specific assertions
• Verify mock data matches reality

False Negatives

Symptom: Tests fail but code is correct Causes:

• Outdated tests
• Overly strict assertions
• Test environment issues

Solutions:

• Update tests to match requirements
• Relax overly specific assertions
• Fix test environment

Test Maintenance

After Fixing Bug

• Add test that would have caught the bug
• Verify test fails without fix
• Verify test passes with fix

After Refactoring

• Run full test suite
• All tests should still pass
• If tests need updates, update them
• Coverage should remain same or improve

After Changing Requirements

• Update tests to match new requirements
• Remove tests for removed features
• Add tests for new functionality

Regular Maintenance

• Remove flaky tests or fix them
• Update outdated tests
• Remove redundant tests
• Improve slow tests

Best Practices

Run Tests Before Committing

npm test && git commit -m "message"

Use Watch Mode During Development

npm test -- --watch

Fix Tests Immediately

Don't let broken tests linger

Trust Your Tests

If tests pass, code is likely correct If tests fail, investigate immediately

Keep Tests Fast

Fast tests = run frequently = catch bugs early

Integration with Development Workflow

Before Starting Work

git pull
npm install
npm test  # Ensure starting point is good

During Development

npm test -- --watch  # Continuous feedback

Before Committing

npm test            # All tests pass?
npm test -- --coverage  # Coverage acceptable?
git add .
git commit -m "message"

Before Pushing

npm test            # Final verification
git push

CI/CD Integration

Tests should run automatically in CI/CD:

• On every push
• On every pull request
• Before deployment

Check CI/CD status before merging or deploying

References

• Test framework documentation: Check project's testing framework
• Coverage tools: Jest, NYC, Coverage.py, Tarpaulin
• Testing best practices: See ai_docs/knowledge/testing/

Constraints

• Don't skip tests to save time
• Don't ignore test failures
• Don't commit broken tests
• Don't over-mock - test real behavior when possible
• Keep tests maintainable and readable

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