# Managing Detox

> Manages Detox end-to-end tests for React Native apps by discovering configuration, devices, and test files, then analyzing build setups and parsing test results into structured reports.

- Skill: `cloudthinker-ai/managing-detox` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cloudthinker-ai/managing-detox`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cloudthinker-ai/managing-detox/raw
- Safety review: CAUTION (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools, Web & Frontend, Testing & QA
- Tags: Detox, E2e Testing, Emulators, React Native, Simulators, Test Configuration, Test Results
- Author: cloudthinker-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/cloudthinker-ai)
- Updated: 2026-08-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cloudthinker-ai/managing-detox

---


# Detox React Native Testing Management Skill

Manage and analyze Detox end-to-end tests for React Native applications.

## Core Helper Functions

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Parse Detox configuration
detox_config() {
    if [ -f ".detoxrc.js" ]; then
        node -e "const c = require('./.detoxrc.js'); console.log(JSON.stringify(c, null, 2))" 2>/dev/null
    elif [ -f "detox.config.js" ]; then
        node -e "const c = require('./detox.config.js'); console.log(JSON.stringify(c, null, 2))" 2>/dev/null
    else
        node -e "const pkg = require('./package.json'); console.log(JSON.stringify(pkg.detox || {}, null, 2))" 2>/dev/null
    fi
}
```

## MANDATORY: Discovery-First Pattern

**Always discover Detox configuration and device targets before querying specifics.**

### Phase 1: Discovery

```bash
#!/bin/bash

echo "=== Detox Configuration ==="
detox_config | jq '{
    configurations: (.configurations | keys),
    devices: (.devices | keys),
    apps: (.apps | keys),
    testRunner: .testRunner
}' 2>/dev/null

echo ""
echo "=== Detox Version ==="
npx detox --version 2>/dev/null

echo ""
echo "=== Test Files ==="
TEST_DIR=$(detox_config | jq -r '.testRunner.args.testPathPattern // "e2e"' 2>/dev/null || echo "e2e")
find "$TEST_DIR" -name "*.test.ts" -o -name "*.test.js" -o -name "*.spec.ts" -o -name "*.spec.js" 2>/dev/null | head -15

echo ""
echo "=== Available Simulators ==="
xcrun simctl list devices available 2>/dev/null | grep -E "(iPhone|iPad)" | head -10
echo ""
echo "=== Available Emulators ==="
emulator -list-avds 2>/dev/null | head -5
```

### Phase 2: Analysis

```bash
#!/bin/bash

echo "=== Build Configurations ==="
detox_config | jq -r '.apps | to_entries[] | "\(.key)\ttype=\(.value.type)\tbuild=\(.value.build // "none" | .[0:60])"' 2>/dev/null | column -t

echo ""
echo "=== Device Configurations ==="
detox_config | jq -r '.devices | to_entries[] | "\(.key)\ttype=\(.value.type)\tdevice=\(.value.device.type // .value.device.avdName // "unknown")"' 2>/dev/null | column -t

echo ""
echo "=== Test Results ==="
ARTIFACTS_DIR="${DETOX_ARTIFACTS_DIR:-artifacts}"
if [ -d "$ARTIFACTS_DIR" ]; then
    LATEST=$(ls -td "$ARTIFACTS_DIR"/*/ 2>/dev/null | head -1)
    if [ -n "$LATEST" ]; then
        echo "Latest artifacts: $LATEST"
        find "$LATEST" -name "*.log" -o -name "*.png" -o -name "*.mp4" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | xargs echo "Artifact files:"
        find "$LATEST" -name "*.log" 2>/dev/null | while read f; do
            echo "--- $(basename $f) (tail) ---"
            tail -5 "$f"
        done | head -20
    fi
fi
```

## Output Rules
- **TOKEN EFFICIENCY**: Target 50 lines per output
- Summarize build/device configs rather than full Detox config
- Reference artifact paths, never embed screenshots or videos

## Anti-Hallucination Rules
- NEVER guess device types or simulator names — discover via system tools
- NEVER fabricate test results — parse actual artifacts and reports
- NEVER assume platform availability — check for Xcode/Android SDK

## Safety Rules
- NEVER build or run tests without user confirmation — builds take significant time
- NEVER delete artifacts without explicit user approval
- NEVER modify Detox configuration without user consent

## Output Format

Present results as a structured report:
```
Managing Detox Report
═════════════════════
Resources discovered: [count]

Resource       Status    Key Metric    Issues
──────────────────────────────────────────────
[name]         [ok/warn] [value]       [findings]

Summary: [total] resources | [ok] healthy | [warn] warnings | [crit] critical
Action Items: [list of prioritized findings]
```

Target ≤50 lines of output. Use tables for multi-resource comparisons.

## Counter-Rationalizations

| Shortcut | Counter | Why |
|----------|---------|-----|
| "I'll skip discovery and check known resources" | Always run Phase 1 discovery first | Resource names change, new resources appear — assumed names cause errors |
| "The user only asked for a quick check" | Follow the full discovery → analysis flow | Quick checks miss critical issues; structured analysis catches silent failures |
| "Default configuration is probably fine" | Audit configuration explicitly | Defaults often leave logging, security, and optimization features disabled |
| "Metrics aren't needed for this" | Always check relevant metrics when available | API/CLI responses show current state; metrics reveal trends and intermittent issues |
| "I don't have access to that" | Try the command and report the actual error | Assumed permission failures prevent useful investigation; actual errors are informative |