enes9103/my-claude-agents-skills/python-testing-patterns

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Implement comprehensive testing strategies with pytest, fixtures, mocking, and test-driven development. Use when writing Python tests, setting up test suites, or implementing testing best practices.

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npx vskill@latest install enes9103/my-claude-agents-skills/python-testing-patterns

SKILL.md

Python Testing Patterns

Comprehensive guide to implementing robust testing strategies in Python using pytest, fixtures, mocking, parameterization, and test-driven development practices.

When to Use This Skill

  • Writing unit tests for Python code
  • Setting up test suites and test infrastructure
  • Implementing test-driven development (TDD)
  • Creating integration tests for APIs and services
  • Mocking external dependencies and services
  • Testing async code and concurrent operations
  • Setting up continuous testing in CI/CD
  • Implementing property-based testing
  • Testing database operations
  • Debugging failing tests

Core Concepts

1. Test Types
  • Unit Tests: Test individual functions/classes in isolation
  • Integration Tests: Test interaction between components
  • Functional Tests: Test complete features end-to-end
  • Performance Tests: Measure speed and resource usage
2. Test Structure (AAA Pattern)
  • Arrange: Set up test data and preconditions
  • Act: Execute the code under test
  • Assert: Verify the results
3. Test Coverage
  • Measure what code is exercised by tests
  • Identify untested code paths
  • Aim for meaningful coverage, not just high percentages
4. Test Isolation
  • Tests should be independent
  • No shared state between tests
  • Each test should clean up after itself

Quick Start

python
# test_example.py
def add(a, b):
return a + b
def test_add():
"""Basic test example."""
result = add(2, 3)
assert result == 5
def test_add_negative():
"""Test with negative numbers."""
assert add(-1, 1) == 0
# Run with: pytest test_example.py

Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in references/details.md. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.

Testing Best Practices

Test Organization
python
# tests/
# __init__.py
# conftest.py # Shared fixtures
# test_unit/ # Unit tests
# test_models.py
# test_utils.py
# test_integration/ # Integration tests
# test_api.py
# test_database.py
# test_e2e/ # End-to-end tests
# test_workflows.py
Test Naming Convention

A common pattern: test_<unit>_<scenario>_<expected_outcome>. Adapt to your team's preferences.

python
# Pattern: test_<unit>_<scenario>_<expected>
def test_create_user_with_valid_data_returns_user():
...
def test_create_user_with_duplicate_email_raises_conflict():
...
def test_get_user_with_unknown_id_returns_none():
...
# Good test names - clear and descriptive
def test_user_creation_with_valid_data():
"""Clear name describes what is being tested."""
pass
def test_login_fails_with_invalid_password():
"""Name describes expected behavior."""
pass
def test_api_returns_404_for_missing_resource():
"""Specific about inputs and expected outcomes."""
pass
# Bad test names - avoid these
def test_1(): # Not descriptive
pass
def test_user(): # Too vague
pass
def test_function(): # Doesn't explain what's tested
pass
Testing Retry Behavior

Verify that retry logic works correctly using mock side effects.

python
from unittest.mock import Mock
def test_retries_on_transient_error():
"""Test that service retries on transient failures."""
client = Mock()
# Fail twice, then succeed
client.request.side_effect = [
ConnectionError("Failed"),
ConnectionError("Failed"),
{"status": "ok"},
]
service = ServiceWithRetry(client, max_retries=3)
result = service.fetch()
assert result == {"status": "ok"}
assert client.request.call_count == 3
def test_gives_up_after_max_retries():
"""Test that service stops retrying after max attempts."""
client = Mock()
client.request.side_effect = ConnectionError("Failed")
service = ServiceWithRetry(client, max_retries=3)
with pytest.raises(ConnectionError):
service.fetch()
assert client.request.call_count == 3
def test_does_not_retry_on_permanent_error():
"""Test that permanent errors are not retried."""
client = Mock()
client.request.side_effect = ValueError("Invalid input")
service = ServiceWithRetry(client, max_retries=3)
with pytest.raises(ValueError):
service.fetch()
# Only called once - no retry for ValueError
assert client.request.call_count == 1
Mocking Time with Freezegun

Use freezegun to control time in tests for predictable time-dependent behavior.

python
from freezegun import freeze_time
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
@freeze_time("2026-01-15 10:00:00")
def test_token_expiry():
"""Test token expires at correct time."""
token = create_token(expires_in_seconds=3600)
assert token.expires_at == datetime(2026, 1, 15, 11, 0, 0)
@freeze_time("2026-01-15 10:00:00")
def test_is_expired_returns_false_before_expiry():
"""Test token is not expired when within validity period."""
token = create_token(expires_in_seconds=3600)
assert not token.is_expired()
@freeze_time("2026-01-15 12:00:00")
def test_is_expired_returns_true_after_expiry():
"""Test token is expired after validity period."""
token = Token(expires_at=datetime(2026, 1, 15, 11, 30, 0))
assert token.is_expired()
def test_with_time_travel():
"""Test behavior across time using freeze_time context."""
with freeze_time("2026-01-01") as frozen_time:
item = create_item()
assert item.created_at == datetime(2026, 1, 1)
# Move forward in time
frozen_time.move_to("2026-01-15")
assert item.age_days == 14
Test Markers
python
# test_markers.py
import pytest
@pytest.mark.slow
def test_slow_operation():
"""Mark slow tests."""
import time
time.sleep(2)
@pytest.mark.integration
def test_database_integration():
"""Mark integration tests."""
pass
@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Feature not implemented yet")
def test_future_feature():
"""Skip tests temporarily."""
pass
@pytest.mark.skipif(os.name == "nt", reason="Unix only test")
def test_unix_specific():
"""Conditional skip."""
pass
@pytest.mark.xfail(reason="Known bug #123")
def test_known_bug():
"""Mark expected failures."""
assert False
# Run with:
# pytest -m slow # Run only slow tests
# pytest -m "not slow" # Skip slow tests
# pytest -m integration # Run integration tests
Coverage Reporting
bash
# Install coverage
pip install pytest-cov
# Run tests with coverage
pytest --cov=myapp tests/
# Generate HTML report
pytest --cov=myapp --cov-report=html tests/
# Fail if coverage below threshold
pytest --cov=myapp --cov-fail-under=80 tests/
# Show missing lines
pytest --cov=myapp --cov-report=term-missing tests/

For advanced patterns (async testing, monkeypatching, property-based testing, database testing, CI/CD integration, and configuration), see references/advanced-patterns.md

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