# Spring Boot Testing

> Use this skill when writing or improving tests in a Spring Boot project, including unit tests, integration tests, and test structure.

- Skill: `senoritadeveloper01/spring-boot-testing` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add senoritadeveloper01/spring-boot-testing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/senoritadeveloper01/spring-boot-testing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: senoritadeveloper01 (https://skillmd.com/u/senoritadeveloper01)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/senoritadeveloper01/spring-boot-testing

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# Spring Boot Testing

## Scope
Apply this skill when working on:
- unit tests for services and components
- integration tests for Spring Boot applications
- controller tests
- improving test coverage and quality

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## Testing philosophy
- Write meaningful, maintainable tests.
- Focus on behavior, not implementation details.
- Cover both happy paths and edge cases.
- Keep tests deterministic and isolated.

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## Frameworks
- Use JUnit 5 (Jupiter).
- Prefer AssertJ for assertions.

```java
assertThat(result)
    .isNotNull()
    .hasFieldOrPropertyWithValue("status", "ACTIVE");
```

## Test types and strategy

Use the appropriate test type based on scope:

### Unit tests
- Test service and utility logic in isolation.
- Do not start Spring context.
- Use mocks (e.g., Mockito) for dependencies.

### Slice tests (recommended for most cases)
- Load only a part of the Spring context.
- Prefer slice tests as the default testing approach in Spring Boot applications.

Common slices:
- `@WebMvcTest` → controller layer
- `@DataJpaTest` → repository layer

Benefits:
- faster than full context
- focused and isolated

### Integration tests
- Use `@SpringBootTest` when:
    - testing full application behavior
    - verifying configuration and wiring
- Combine with:
    - `@AutoConfigureMockMvc` for API testing
    - Testcontainers for real database testing

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## Test isolation and data

- Prefer in-memory or containerized databases for tests.
- Reset state between tests.
- Avoid shared mutable state.
- Keep tests deterministic and repeatable.

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## What to prefer

- Prefer slice tests over full `@SpringBootTest` where possible.
- Use full context tests only when necessary.
- Keep test execution fast to support frequent runs.