rc-testing

name	rc-testing
description	Use this skill when testing a RevenueCat Android integration. Covers the RevenueCat Test Store (test_ API key prefix, in dialog Success/Fail/Cancel choice), mockk based unit testing with an interface wrapper around Purchases, and a GitHub Actions CI pattern. Avoids Google Play sandbox for day to day test iteration.
license	Apache-2.0; see LICENSE
metadata	{"author":"RevenueCat","source":"revenuecat-handbook chapter 16","keywords":["android","revenuecat","testing","test-store","mockk","github-actions"]}

Testing RevenueCat on Android

Use this skill to stand up a fast test loop for a RevenueCat Android integration. The Test Store replaces the Google Play sandbox for most work, a BillingService interface makes Purchases mockable, and a small GitHub Actions job runs unit tests on every push.

Full source: see the full chapter on revenuecat.com.

---

Phase 1: Discovery

Before changing anything, learn what already exists. Answer each question with a file or a "no".

Check	Where to look	What you want
Test API key configured?	app/build.gradle.kts, local.properties, env	A test_... value bound to BuildConfig.RC_API_KEY in debug
Release key separate?	build.gradle.kts release block	A goog_... key, never test_...
Purchases wrapped?	app/src/main/java/**/*Billing*.kt	An interface that hides Purchases.sharedInstance
CI present?	.github/workflows/*.yml	A job running ./gradlew testDebugUnitTest
Secret wired?	GitHub repo settings, workflow env:	RC_TEST_STORE_KEY referenced from secrets
Test library?	app/build.gradle.kts dependencies	io.mockk:mockk and kotlinx-coroutines-test

If the project has none of these, start from scratch in Phase 3. If some exist, only fill the gaps.

---

Phase 2: Plan

Pick the test path per scenario. The Test Store is the default; fall back to Google Play sandbox only when you need store behavior the Test Store does not simulate.

Scenario	Use
Success, failure, cancel paths	Test Store
Unit tests of ViewModels	mockk against BillingService
CI on every push	Test Store + unit tests
Subscription renewal cycles	Google Play Sandbox
Pending purchase (parental approval)	Google Play Sandbox
Full end-to-end payment	Google Play Sandbox

Write the plan as a short checklist in tasks/todo.md before coding. If the app ships subscriptions, keep one Sandbox pass in the pre-ship checklist even if the Test Store covers daily iteration.

---

Phase 3: Execute

Step 1: Generate the test API key

In the RevenueCat dashboard, open your app, go to Apps & providers, then Create Test Store. Copy the test_... key. Do not commit it. Put it in local.properties or a CI secret.

Step 2: Wire the key into debug builds

// build.gradle.kts
android {
    buildTypes {
        debug {
            buildConfigField("String", "RC_API_KEY", "\"test_YOUR_KEY\"")
        }
        release {
            buildConfigField("String", "RC_API_KEY", "\"goog_YOUR_KEY\"")
        }
    }
}

For CI, read from env so the key never lands in git:

// build.gradle.kts
val testKey = System.getenv("RC_TEST_STORE_KEY") ?: "test_placeholder"
buildConfigField("String", "RC_API_KEY", "\"$testKey\"")

Step 3: Configure Purchases with the build config key

class MyApplication : Application() {
    override fun onCreate() {
        super.onCreate()
        if (BuildConfig.DEBUG) Purchases.logLevel = LogLevel.DEBUG
        Purchases.configure(
            PurchasesConfiguration.Builder(this, BuildConfig.RC_API_KEY).build()
        )
    }
}

Step 4: Trigger the Test Store dialog

Run the app in debug and call awaitPurchase() from your paywall. A dialog appears with Success, Fail, and Cancel options. Each choice resolves the same way production would: Success returns a PurchaseResult with active entitlements, Fail throws PurchasesTransactionException with a payment error, Cancel throws with userCancelled = true. Walk every branch of your error handling to verify UI states.

Step 5: Wrap Purchases in a BillingService

The Purchases singleton is not mockable. A thin interface lets you inject a fake in tests and keeps ViewModels free of SDK types.

interface BillingService {
    suspend fun getOfferings(): Offerings
    suspend fun purchase(activity: Activity, pkg: Package): CustomerInfo
    suspend fun getCustomerInfo(): CustomerInfo
}

class RevenueCatBillingService : BillingService {
    override suspend fun getOfferings() =
        Purchases.sharedInstance.awaitOfferings()

    override suspend fun purchase(activity: Activity, pkg: Package): CustomerInfo =
        Purchases.sharedInstance.awaitPurchase(
            PurchaseParams.Builder(activity, pkg).build()
        ).customerInfo

    override suspend fun getCustomerInfo() =
        Purchases.sharedInstance.awaitCustomerInfo()
}

Step 6: Write mockk unit tests

class PaywallViewModelTest {
    private val billing = mockk<BillingService>()
    private val viewModel = PaywallViewModel(billing)

    @Test
    fun `purchase success grants access`() = runTest {
        val info = mockk<CustomerInfo> {
            every { entitlements["pro_access"]?.isActive } returns true
        }
        coEvery { billing.purchase(any(), any()) } returns info
        viewModel.purchase(mockActivity, mockPackage)
        assertTrue(viewModel.state.value is PaywallState.Success)
    }
}

Add one test per branch: success grants access, failure shows error, cancel stays idle.

Step 7: Add a minimal GitHub Actions job

# .github/workflows/test.yml
name: test
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
  unit:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-java@v4
        with:
          distribution: temurin
          java-version: 17
      - name: Run tests
        env:
          RC_TEST_STORE_KEY: ${{ secrets.RC_TEST_STORE_KEY }}
        run: ./gradlew testDebugUnitTest

Store the test_... key as the RC_TEST_STORE_KEY repository secret. The job runs without a device or a Google account.

---

Verification

After each purchase, open the RevenueCat dashboard, go to Customers, pick the user, and confirm the purchase, the entitlement, and the CustomerInfo JSON. The Events tab shows webhooks fired for the test purchase.

Pre-Ship Checklist

• Purchases.logLevel = LogLevel.DEBUG gated on BuildConfig.DEBUG
• Release build uses the goog_ key, not the test_ key
• test_ key is not committed (env var or local.properties)
• Success, failure, and cancel paths exercised through the Test Store dialog
• At least one end-to-end flow verified in Google Play Sandbox
• Webhook endpoint receives events for sandbox purchases

References

• Full chapter