Unit test generator

Unit Test Generator & Validator

When to use this skill

• User asks to generate tests for a file or function
• User wants to improve test coverage
• User mentions Jest, Vitest, Playwright, or Mocha
• User asks for edge case suggestions
• User wants to validate existing tests

Workflow

• Identify changed or target files
• Detect test framework in project
• Analyze code to understand testable units
• Generate test file with appropriate structure
• Include edge cases and error scenarios
• Run tests to validate
• Check coverage if configured

Instructions

Step 1: Identify Target Files

For changed files:

git diff --cached --name-only --diff-filter=ACMR | grep -E '\.(js|jsx|ts|tsx|vue)$' | grep -v '\.test\.|\.spec\.'

For specific file, derive test path:

• src/utils/format.ts → src/utils/format.test.ts or __tests__/utils/format.test.ts

Step 2: Detect Test Framework

Framework	Config Files	Test Pattern
Jest	jest.config.*, package.json (jest key)	*.test.{js,ts,tsx}
Vitest	vitest.config.*, vite.config.*	*.test.{js,ts,tsx}
Playwright	playwright.config.*	*.spec.{js,ts}
Mocha	.mocharc.*, package.json (mocha key)	*.test.{js,ts}

Check installed framework:

npm ls jest vitest @playwright/test mocha 2>/dev/null

Step 3: Analyze Source Code

Extract testable units:

• Exported functions and their signatures
• Class methods and their visibility
• React/Vue component props and behavior
• API handlers and their responses
• Pure functions vs side-effect functions

Identify inputs and outputs:

• Parameter types and valid ranges
• Return types and possible values
• Thrown errors and conditions
• External dependencies to mock

Step 4: Generate Test Structure

Jest/Vitest template:

import { describe, it, expect, vi } from "vitest"; // or from '@jest/globals'
import { functionName } from "../path/to/module";

describe("functionName", () => {
  it("should handle normal input", () => {
    expect(functionName(validInput)).toBe(expectedOutput);
  });

  it("should handle edge case", () => {
    expect(functionName(edgeInput)).toBe(edgeOutput);
  });

  it("should throw on invalid input", () => {
    expect(() => functionName(invalidInput)).toThrow(ExpectedError);
  });
});

React component template:

import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
import { Component } from '../Component';

describe('Component', () => {
  it('renders with default props', () => {
    render(<Component />);
    expect(screen.getByRole('button')).toBeInTheDocument();
  });

  it('handles user interaction', async () => {
    const onAction = vi.fn();
    render(<Component onAction={onAction} />);
    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button'));
    expect(onAction).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
  });
});

Playwright E2E template:

import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test";

test.describe("Feature", () => {
  test("should complete user flow", async ({ page }) => {
    await page.goto("/path");
    await page.click('button[data-testid="action"]');
    await expect(page.locator(".result")).toBeVisible();
  });
});

Step 5: Include Edge Cases

Always generate tests for:

• Boundary values: 0, -1, empty string, empty array, max values
• Null/undefined handling: missing optional params
• Type coercion: string numbers, boolean strings
• Async behavior: resolved, rejected, timeout
• Error paths: invalid input, network failures, permission denied

Step 6: Run and Validate

Execute tests:

# Jest
npx jest --testPathPattern="<test-file>" --coverage

# Vitest
npx vitest run <test-file> --coverage

# Playwright
npx playwright test <test-file>

# Mocha
npx mocha <test-file>

Step 7: Check Coverage

View coverage report:

# Jest/Vitest generate coverage in ./coverage/
open coverage/lcov-report/index.html

Coverage targets:

• Statements: 80%+
• Branches: 75%+
• Functions: 80%+
• Lines: 80%+

Mocking Patterns

Mock external modules:

vi.mock("../api", () => ({
  fetchData: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ data: "mocked" }),
}));

Mock timers:

vi.useFakeTimers();
vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
vi.useRealTimers();

Mock environment:

const originalEnv = process.env;
beforeEach(() => {
  process.env = { ...originalEnv, API_KEY: "test-key" };
});
afterEach(() => {
  process.env = originalEnv;
});

Validation

Before completing:

• Tests pass without modification to source
• Edge cases covered
• Mocks properly reset between tests
• No flaky async behavior
• Coverage improved or maintained

Error Handling

• Framework not installed: Run npm install --save-dev <framework>.
• Tests fail immediately: Check import paths and module resolution.
• Mock not working: Ensure mock is defined before import in Jest, or use vi.mock hoisting in Vitest.
• Coverage not generating: Add --coverage flag and check config for coverage settings.
• Unsure about command: Run npx <framework> --help.

Resources

• Jest Documentation
• Vitest Documentation
• Playwright Documentation
• Testing Library