afv-library/skills/generating-apex-test/SKILL.md

name

description

generating-apex-test

Apex test class generation with TestDataFactory patterns, bulk testing (200+ records), mocking strategies for callouts and async operations, and assertion best practices. Use this skill when the user asks to create, write, or generate an Apex test class, improve test coverage, refactor existing tests, or implement proper testing patterns for triggers, services, controllers, batch jobs, queueables, and integrations — even when they don't say 'test' explicitly. Activate on phrases like: 'write tests for,' 'add coverage for,' 'test this class,' 'create a mock,' 'I need test data,' 'improve coverage,' or any mention of Apex testing, assertions, or test factories.

Apex Test Class Skill

Core Principles

1. Bulkify tests - Always test with 200+ records to catch governor limit issues
2. Isolate test data - Use @TestSetup and TestDataFactory; never rely on org data
3. Assert meaningfully - Test behavior, not just coverage; include failure messages
4. Mock external dependencies - Use HttpCalloutMock, Test.setMock() for integrations
5. Test negative paths - Validate error handling, not just happy paths

Test Class Structure

@isTest
private class MyServiceTest {

    @TestSetup
    static void setupTestData() {
        // Create shared test data using TestDataFactory
        List<Account> accounts = TestDataFactory.createAccounts(200, true);
    }

    @isTest
    static void shouldPerformExpectedBehavior_WhenValidInput() {
        // Given: Setup specific test state
        List<Account> accounts = [SELECT Id, Name FROM Account];
        
        // When: Execute the code under test
        Test.startTest();
        MyService.processAccounts(accounts);
        Test.stopTest();
        
        // Then: Assert expected outcomes
        List<Account> updated = [SELECT Id, Status__c FROM Account];
        System.assertEquals(200, updated.size(), 'All accounts should be processed');
        for (Account acc : updated) {
            System.assertEquals('Processed', acc.Status__c, 'Status should be updated');
        }
    }

    @isTest
    static void shouldThrowException_WhenInvalidInput() {
        // Given
        List<Account> emptyList = new List<Account>();
        
        // When/Then
        Test.startTest();
        try {
            MyService.processAccounts(emptyList);
            System.assert(false, 'Expected MyCustomException to be thrown');
        } catch (MyCustomException e) {
            System.assert(e.getMessage().contains('cannot be empty'), 
                'Exception message should indicate empty input');
        }
        Test.stopTest();
    }
}

Naming Convention

Use descriptive method names: should[ExpectedBehavior]_When[Condition]

Examples:

• shouldCreateContact_WhenAccountIsActive
• shouldThrowException_WhenEmailIsInvalid
• shouldSendNotification_WhenOpportunityClosedWon
• shouldBypassTrigger_WhenRunningAsBatch

Test.startTest() / Test.stopTest()

Always wrap the code under test:

• Resets governor limits for accurate limit testing
• Executes async operations synchronously (queueables, batch, future)
• Fires scheduled jobs immediately

Asset Templates

Ready-to-use scaffolds for common test patterns:

• assets/test-class-template.cls - Starter test class with positive, negative, bulk, and governor limit test stubs
• assets/test-data-factory-template.cls - TestDataFactory with Account, Contact, Opportunity, User factories and field override support

Reference Files

Detailed patterns for specific scenarios:

• references/test-data-factory.md - TestDataFactory class patterns and field defaults
• references/assertion-patterns.md - Assertion best practices and common pitfalls
• references/mocking-patterns.md - HttpCalloutMock, Test.setMock(), stubbing
• references/async-testing.md - Batch, Queueable, Future, Scheduled job testing

Quick Reference: What to Test

Component	Key Test Scenarios
Trigger	Bulk insert/update/delete, recursion, field changes
Service	Valid/invalid inputs, bulk operations, exceptions
Controller	Page load, action methods, view state
Batch	Start/execute/finish, chunking, error records
Queueable	Chaining, bulkification, error handling
Callout	Success response, error response, timeout
Scheduled	Execution, CRON validation