# Laravel Testing

> Automated testing standards with Pest and PHPUnit. Use when writing Pest or PHPUnit feature/unit tests in Laravel applications. (triggers: tests/**/*.php, phpunit.xml, feature, unit, mock, factory, sqlite)

- Skill: `comeonoliver/laravel-testing` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add comeonoliver/laravel-testing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/comeonoliver/laravel-testing/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: ComeOnOliver (https://skillmd.com/u/comeonoliver)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/comeonoliver/laravel-testing

---


# Laravel Testing

## **Priority: P1 (HIGH)**

## Structure

```text
tests/
├── Feature/            # Integration/HTTP tests
├── Unit/               # Isolated logic tests
└── TestCase.php
```

## Implementation Guidelines

### Pest & Modern Testing

- **Feature Tests**: Use `uses(RefreshDatabase::class)` at the top of Pest files. Example: `it('creates post', fn() => $this->postJson('/api/posts', [...])` verifies database rolled back after each test.
- **Transactions**: For faster but non-truncating isolation, use **`DatabaseTransactions`**.

### Mocking & External Services

- **Service Mocking**: Use **`$this->mock(PaymentService::class)`** with **`shouldReceive('charge')->once()->with(100)`** to assert interaction.
- **Loose Verification**: Use **`$this->spy()`** for behavior validation without strict ordering.
- **Network Safety**: **Never make real network calls** in automated tests.

### Test Data & Infrastructure

- **Factories**: Create test data via **`Post::factory()->count(3)->create(['user_id' => $id])`**.
- **Definition**: Implement **`definition(): array`** using **`fake()`** in factory classes.
- **Generation**: Run **`php artisan make:factory PostFactory --model=Post`**.
- **SQLite Support**: In **`phpunit.xml`**, set `DB_CONNECTION' value='sqlite'` and `DB_DATABASE' value=':memory:'` for in-memory, lightning-fast tests.

### HTTP Assertions

- **Fluent Assertions**: Chain **`assertStatus(201)`**, **`assertJson(['data' => ...])`**, and **`assertJsonStructure`**.
- **Header Verification**: Use **`assertHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json')`**.

## Anti-Patterns

- **No real network calls**: Always mock or stub external services.
- **No state leakage between tests**: Use `RefreshDatabase` trait.
- **No `DB::table()->insert()`**: Never DB::table()->insert() raw data in tests — use Eloquent Factories instead.
- **No heavy computations in unit tests**: Move to Feature layer.

## References

- [Testing & Mocking Guide](references/implementation.md)