Test Generator
The test-gen skill generates Vitest unit tests for a specified file or Playwright E2E tests for a given user flow. It analyzes existing code and conventions to produce relevant, runnable tests.
What it does
It generates Vitest unit tests for a target file by analyzing exports, dependencies, side effects, and parameter types. It also checks for existing tests to avoid duplication and identifies test cases for happy paths, edge cases, error paths, and asynchronous logic. For E2E tests, it understands application structure, identifies critical user flows, and writes Playwright tests using accessible selectors.
When it fits
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When new features are developed and require unit test coverage.
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When refactoring existing code and needing to ensure functionality remains intact with E2E tests.
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When establishing a baseline of E2E tests for critical user journeys like authentication or CRUD operations.
Setup
-
Copy the skill definition file to the
.claude/skills/test-gen/SKILL.mdpath within the repository. -
Agents run on request or via the agent mechanism.
-
Invoke unit test generation by typing
/test-gen [filename]in the Claude Code chat. -
Invoke E2E test generation by typing
/test-gen e2e [flow description].
The content
Test Generator
Generate tests for the given target.
Mode selection: If $0 is the literal token e2e, skip to the
E2E Mode (Playwright) section at the bottom. Otherwise generate Vitest
unit tests for the file per Steps 1–7 below.
Target: $ARGUMENTS
Test framework: !cat package.json 2>/dev/null | grep -o '"vitest"' | head -1 || echo "vitest not found"
Existing tests: !find src -name "*.test.ts" -o -name "*.test.tsx" -o -name "*.spec.ts" -o -name "*.spec.tsx" 2>/dev/null | head -10 || echo "none found"
Step 1: Analyze the Target File
Read $ARGUMENTS and extract:
- All exported functions, classes, components, and types
- Dependencies and imports (what needs mocking)
- Side effects (API calls, database queries, file system access)
- Input parameter types and return types
Step 2: Check for Existing Tests
Search for existing test files:
<filename>.test.ts/<filename>.test.tsx<filename>.spec.ts/<filename>.spec.tsx__tests__/<filename>.ts
If tests exist, read them and only add missing coverage. Do NOT duplicate existing test cases.
Step 3: Identify Test Cases
For each export, determine:
| Category | What to test |
|---|---|
| Happy path | Normal input produces expected output |
| Edge cases | Empty input, null/undefined, boundary values |
| Error paths | Invalid input, thrown errors, rejected promises |
| Async | Promise resolution/rejection, timeout behavior |
| Dependencies | Mock external calls (API, DB, third-party libs) |
Step 4: Follow Existing Conventions
If existing test files were found in Step 2, match their:
- Import style (
import { describe } from 'vitest'vs global) - Mock patterns (
vi.mock,vi.fn,vi.spyOn) - File naming convention (
.test.tsvs.spec.ts) - Describe/it block structure
- Assertion style (
expect().toBe(),expect().toEqual())
If no existing tests, use this default structure:
import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
Step 5: Generate Tests
Write the test file next to the source file (e.g., src/utils/calc.ts -> src/utils/calc.test.ts).
Rules:
- One
describeblock per exported function/component - Descriptive test names:
it('returns empty array when input is empty') - Arrange-Act-Assert pattern in each test
- Mock external dependencies, never call real APIs/DB
- Test the public interface, not implementation details
- For React components: use
@testing-library/reactif available, otherwise test logic only
Step 6: Verify
Run the generated tests:
npx vitest run <test-file-path> --reporter=verbose
If tests fail:
- Read the error output
- Fix the test (not the source code)
- Re-run until all pass
Step 7: Summary
Output:
- Number of test cases generated
- Coverage areas: happy path, edge cases, error paths
- Any exports that were NOT tested (and why)
- Test run result: PASS / FAIL
E2E Mode (Playwright)
Invoked as /test-gen e2e [flow description]. The remaining arguments after
e2e describe the user flow to test (e.g. /test-gen e2e login flow). If no
flow is given, generate tests for all critical paths (priority below).
E2E Step 1: Understand the Application
Identify:
- Routing setup (Next
app/routes or react-router config) - Authentication flow (login page, auth guards)
- Main user-facing pages, form components and their validation
- API calls made during user flows
cat package.json | grep -o '"@playwright/test"' || echo "Playwright not installed"
ls playwright.config.* 2>/dev/null || echo "No Playwright config"
ls e2e/ tests/e2e/ tests/ 2>/dev/null | head -20
If Playwright is not installed:
npm install -D @playwright/test && npx playwright install chromium
E2E Step 2: Identify Critical User Flows
If no specific flow requested, prioritize:
- Authentication — sign up, login, logout, password reset
- Core CRUD — create, read, update, delete main entities
- Navigation — landing page → key features → back
- Error states — invalid form submission, 404 pages, unauthorized access
- Payment/checkout — if applicable
E2E Step 3: Analyze Page Structure
For each page: read the component file, identify interactive elements,
find data-testid attributes or accessible roles, trace triggered API
calls, identify loading/success/error states.
E2E Step 4: Generate Tests
Create test files in the project's E2E directory (usually e2e/ or
tests/e2e/). Follow Playwright best practices:
- Prefer accessible selectors:
page.getByRole(),page.getByText(),page.getByTestId() page.waitForURL()for navigation,expect(page).toHaveURL()for route verificationawait expect(locator).toBeVisible()overwaitForSelector- Group related tests in
test.describe()blocks test.beforeEach()for common setup (login, navigation)- If a
storageStateauth fixture exists, use it for authenticated flows; otherwise log in via UI inbeforeEach
Each test must assert meaningfully: URL changed, expected content visible, form feedback shown, data persists after reload where applicable.
E2E Step 5: Verify
npx playwright test <test-file> --reporter=list 2>&1
If tests fail: read the error output, fix the test (selectors, timing, assertions), re-run until passing.
E2E Step 6: Summary
Output:
- Files generated and flows covered
- Selector breakdown (roles / test IDs / text)
- Test run result: PASS / FAIL / SKIP with reasons
- Missing coverage and recommended
data-testidadditions
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