# Pest Testing

> Tests applications using the Pest 3 PHP framework. Activates when writing tests, creating unit or feature tests, adding assertions, testing Livewire components, architecture testing, debugging test failures, working with datasets or mocking; or when the user mentions test, spec, TDD, expects, assertion, coverage, or needs to verify functionality works.

- Skill: `filamentphp/pest-testing` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add filamentphp/pest-testing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/filamentphp/pest-testing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: filamentphp (https://skillmd.com/u/filamentphp)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/filamentphp/pest-testing

---


# Pest Testing 3

## When to Apply

Activate this skill when:
- Creating new tests (unit or feature)
- Modifying existing tests
- Debugging test failures
- Working with datasets, mocking, or test organization
- Writing architecture tests

## Documentation

Use `search-docs` for detailed Pest 3 patterns and documentation.

## Basic Usage

### Creating Tests

All tests must be written using Pest. Use `php artisan make:test --pest {name}`.

### Test Organization

- Tests live in the `tests/Feature` and `tests/Unit` directories.
- Do NOT remove tests without approval - these are core application code.
- Test happy paths, failure paths, and edge cases.

### Basic Test Structure

<!-- Basic Pest Test Example -->
```php
it('is true', function () {
    expect(true)->toBeTrue();
});
```

### Running Tests

- Run minimal tests with filter before finalizing: `php artisan test --compact --filter=testName`.
- Run all tests: `php artisan test --compact`.
- Run file: `php artisan test --compact tests/Feature/ExampleTest.php`.

## Assertions

Use specific assertions (`assertSuccessful()`, `assertNotFound()`) instead of `assertStatus()`:

<!-- Pest Response Assertion -->
```php
it('returns all', function () {
    $this->postJson('/api/docs', [])->assertSuccessful();
});
```

| Use | Instead of |
|-----|------------|
| `assertSuccessful()` | `assertStatus(200)` |
| `assertNotFound()` | `assertStatus(404)` |
| `assertForbidden()` | `assertStatus(403)` |

## Mocking

Import mock function before use: `use function Pest\Laravel\mock;`

## Datasets

Use datasets for repetitive tests (validation rules, etc.):

<!-- Pest Dataset Example -->
```php
it('has emails', function (string $email) {
    expect($email)->not->toBeEmpty();
})->with([
    'james' => 'james@laravel.com',
    'taylor' => 'taylor@laravel.com',
]);
```

## Pest 3 Features

### Architecture Testing

Pest 3 includes architecture testing to enforce code conventions:

<!-- Architecture Test Example -->
```php
arch('controllers')
    ->expect('App\Http\Controllers')
    ->toExtendNothing()
    ->toHaveSuffix('Controller');

arch('models')
    ->expect('App\Models')
    ->toExtend('Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model');

arch('no debugging')
    ->expect(['dd', 'dump', 'ray'])
    ->not->toBeUsed();
```

### Type Coverage

Pest 3 provides improved type coverage analysis. Run with `--type-coverage` flag.

## Common Pitfalls

- Not importing `use function Pest\Laravel\mock;` before using mock
- Using `assertStatus(200)` instead of `assertSuccessful()`
- Forgetting datasets for repetitive validation tests
- Deleting tests without approval