Skill: Test Writer for Concept Pages
Use this skill to generate comprehensive Vitest tests for all code examples in a concept documentation page. Tests verify that code examples in the documentation are accurate and work as described.
When to Use
- After writing a new concept page
- When adding new code examples to existing pages
- When updating existing code examples
- To verify documentation accuracy through automated tests
- Before publishing to ensure all examples work correctly
Test Writing Methodology
Follow these four phases to create comprehensive tests for a concept page.
Phase 1: Code Example Extraction
Scan the concept page for all code examples and categorize them:
| Category | Characteristics | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Testable | Has console.log with output comments, returns values | Write tests |
| DOM-specific | Uses document, window, DOM APIs, event handlers | Write DOM tests (separate file) |
| Error examples | Intentionally throws errors, demonstrates failures | Write tests with toThrow |
| Conceptual | ASCII diagrams, pseudo-code, incomplete snippets | Skip (document why) |
| Browser-only | Uses browser APIs not available in jsdom | Skip or mock |
Phase 2: Determine Test File Structure
tests/
βββ fundamentals/ # Concepts 1-6
βββ functions-execution/ # Concepts 7-8
βββ web-platform/ # Concepts 9-10
βββ object-oriented/ # Concepts 11-15
βββ functional-programming/ # Concepts 16-19
βββ async-javascript/ # Concepts 20-22
βββ advanced-topics/ # Concepts 23-31
βββ beyond/ # Extended concepts
βββ {subcategory}/
File naming:
- Standard tests:
{concept-name}.test.js - DOM tests:
{concept-name}.dom.test.js
Phase 3: Convert Examples to Tests
For each testable code example:
- Identify the expected output (from
console.logcomments or documented behavior) - Convert to
expectassertions - Add source line reference in comments
- Group related tests in
describeblocks matching documentation sections
Phase 4: Handle Special Cases
| Case | Solution |
|---|---|
| Browser-only APIs | Use jsdom environment or skip with note |
| Timing-dependent code | Use vi.useFakeTimers() or test the logic, not timing |
| Side effects | Capture output or test mutations |
| Intentional errors | Use expect(() => {...}).toThrow() |
| Async code | Use async/await with proper assertions |
Project Test Conventions
Import Pattern
import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
For DOM tests or tests needing mocks:
import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest'
DOM Test File Header
/** * @vitest-environment jsdom */ import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest'
Describe Block Organization
Match the structure of the documentation:
describe('Concept Name', () => { describe('Section from Documentation', () => { describe('Subsection if needed', () => { it('should [specific behavior]', () => { // Test }) }) }) })
Test Naming Convention
- Start with "should"
- Be descriptive and specific
- Match the documented behavior
// Good it('should return "object" for typeof null', () => {}) it('should throw TypeError when accessing property of undefined', () => {}) it('should resolve promises in order they were created', () => {}) // Bad it('test typeof', () => {}) it('works correctly', () => {}) it('null test', () => {})
Source Line References
Always reference the documentation source:
// ============================================================ // SECTION NAME FROM DOCUMENTATION // From {concept}.mdx lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('Section Name', () => { // From lines 45-52: Basic typeof examples it('should return correct type strings', () => { // Test }) })
Test Patterns Reference
Pattern 1: Basic Value Assertion
Documentation:
console.log(typeof "hello") // "string" console.log(typeof 42) // "number"
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: typeof examples it('should return correct type for primitives', () => { expect(typeof "hello").toBe("string") expect(typeof 42).toBe("number") })
Pattern 2: Multiple Related Assertions
Documentation:
let a = "hello" let b = "hello" console.log(a === b) // true let obj1 = { x: 1 } let obj2 = { x: 1 } console.log(obj1 === obj2) // false
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Primitive vs object comparison it('should compare primitives by value', () => { let a = "hello" let b = "hello" expect(a === b).toBe(true) }) it('should compare objects by reference', () => { let obj1 = { x: 1 } let obj2 = { x: 1 } expect(obj1 === obj2).toBe(false) })
Pattern 3: Function Return Values
Documentation:
function greet(name) { return "Hello, " + name + "!" } console.log(greet("Alice")) // "Hello, Alice!"
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: greet function example it('should return greeting with name', () => { function greet(name) { return "Hello, " + name + "!" } expect(greet("Alice")).toBe("Hello, Alice!") })
Pattern 4: Error Testing
Documentation:
// This throws an error! const obj = null console.log(obj.property) // TypeError: Cannot read property of null
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Accessing property of null it('should throw TypeError when accessing property of null', () => { const obj = null expect(() => { obj.property }).toThrow(TypeError) })
Pattern 5: Specific Error Messages
Documentation:
function divide(a, b) { if (b === 0) throw new Error("Cannot divide by zero") return a / b }
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: divide function with error it('should throw error when dividing by zero', () => { function divide(a, b) { if (b === 0) throw new Error("Cannot divide by zero") return a / b } expect(() => divide(10, 0)).toThrow("Cannot divide by zero") expect(divide(10, 2)).toBe(5) })
Pattern 6: Async/Await Testing
Documentation:
async function fetchUser(id) { const response = await fetch(`/api/users/${id}`) return response.json() }
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: async fetchUser function it('should fetch user data asynchronously', async () => { // Mock fetch for testing global.fetch = vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve({ json: () => Promise.resolve({ id: 1, name: 'Alice' }) }) ) async function fetchUser(id) { const response = await fetch(`/api/users/${id}`) return response.json() } const user = await fetchUser(1) expect(user).toEqual({ id: 1, name: 'Alice' }) })
Pattern 7: Promise Testing
Documentation:
const promise = new Promise((resolve) => { resolve("done") }) promise.then(result => console.log(result)) // "done"
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Basic Promise resolution it('should resolve with correct value', async () => { const promise = new Promise((resolve) => { resolve("done") }) await expect(promise).resolves.toBe("done") })
Pattern 8: Promise Rejection
Documentation:
const promise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => { reject(new Error("Something went wrong")) })
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Promise rejection it('should reject with error', async () => { const promise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => { reject(new Error("Something went wrong")) }) await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow("Something went wrong") })
Pattern 9: Floating Point Comparison
Documentation:
console.log(0.1 + 0.2) // 0.30000000000000004 console.log(0.1 + 0.2 === 0.3) // false
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Floating point precision it('should demonstrate floating point imprecision', () => { expect(0.1 + 0.2).not.toBe(0.3) expect(0.1 + 0.2).toBeCloseTo(0.3) expect(0.1 + 0.2 === 0.3).toBe(false) })
Pattern 10: Array Method Testing
Documentation:
const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] const doubled = numbers.map(n => n * 2) console.log(doubled) // [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Array map example it('should double all numbers in array', () => { const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] const doubled = numbers.map(n => n * 2) expect(doubled).toEqual([2, 4, 6, 8, 10]) expect(numbers).toEqual([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]) // Original unchanged })
Pattern 11: Object Mutation Testing
Documentation:
const obj = { a: 1 } obj.b = 2 console.log(obj) // { a: 1, b: 2 }
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Object mutation it('should allow adding properties to objects', () => { const obj = { a: 1 } obj.b = 2 expect(obj).toEqual({ a: 1, b: 2 }) })
Pattern 12: Closure Testing
Documentation:
function counter() { let count = 0 return function() { count++ return count } } const increment = counter() console.log(increment()) // 1 console.log(increment()) // 2 console.log(increment()) // 3
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Closure counter example it('should maintain state across calls via closure', () => { function counter() { let count = 0 return function() { count++ return count } } const increment = counter() expect(increment()).toBe(1) expect(increment()).toBe(2) expect(increment()).toBe(3) }) it('should create independent counters', () => { function counter() { let count = 0 return function() { count++ return count } } const counter1 = counter() const counter2 = counter() expect(counter1()).toBe(1) expect(counter1()).toBe(2) expect(counter2()).toBe(1) // Independent })
Pattern 13: DOM Event Testing
Documentation:
const button = document.getElementById('myButton') button.addEventListener('click', function(event) { console.log('Button clicked!') console.log(event.type) // "click" })
Test (in .dom.test.js file):
/** * @vitest-environment jsdom */ import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest' describe('DOM Event Handlers', () => { let button beforeEach(() => { button = document.createElement('button') button.id = 'myButton' document.body.appendChild(button) }) afterEach(() => { document.body.innerHTML = '' }) // From lines XX-YY: Button click event it('should fire click event handler', () => { const output = [] button.addEventListener('click', function(event) { output.push('Button clicked!') output.push(event.type) }) button.click() expect(output).toEqual(['Button clicked!', 'click']) }) })
Pattern 14: DOM Manipulation Testing
Documentation:
const div = document.createElement('div') div.textContent = 'Hello' div.classList.add('greeting') document.body.appendChild(div)
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Creating and appending elements it('should create element with text and class', () => { const div = document.createElement('div') div.textContent = 'Hello' div.classList.add('greeting') document.body.appendChild(div) const element = document.querySelector('.greeting') expect(element).not.toBeNull() expect(element.textContent).toBe('Hello') expect(element.classList.contains('greeting')).toBe(true) })
Pattern 15: Timer Testing
Documentation:
console.log('First') setTimeout(() => console.log('Second'), 0) console.log('Third') // Output: First, Third, Second
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: setTimeout execution order it('should execute setTimeout callback after synchronous code', async () => { const output = [] output.push('First') setTimeout(() => output.push('Second'), 0) output.push('Third') // Wait for setTimeout to execute await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 10)) expect(output).toEqual(['First', 'Third', 'Second']) })
Pattern 16: Strict Mode Behavior
Documentation:
// In strict mode, this throws "use strict" x = 10 // ReferenceError: x is not defined
Test:
// From lines XX-YY: Strict mode variable declaration it('should throw ReferenceError in strict mode for undeclared variables', () => { // Vitest runs in strict mode by default expect(() => { // Using eval to test strict mode behavior "use strict" eval('undeclaredVar = 10') }).toThrow() })
Complete Test File Template
import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest' describe('[Concept Name]', () => { // ============================================================ // [FIRST SECTION NAME FROM DOCUMENTATION] // From [concept].mdx lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('[First Section]', () => { // From lines XX-YY: [Brief description of example] it('should [expected behavior]', () => { // Code from documentation expect(result).toBe(expected) }) // From lines XX-YY: [Brief description of next example] it('should [another expected behavior]', () => { // Code from documentation expect(result).toEqual(expected) }) }) // ============================================================ // [SECOND SECTION NAME FROM DOCUMENTATION] // From [concept].mdx lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('[Second Section]', () => { // From lines XX-YY: [Description] it('should [behavior]', () => { // Test }) }) // ============================================================ // EDGE CASES AND COMMON MISTAKES // From [concept].mdx lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('Edge Cases', () => { // From lines XX-YY: [Edge case description] it('should handle [edge case]', () => { // Test }) }) describe('Common Mistakes', () => { // From lines XX-YY: Wrong way example it('should demonstrate the incorrect behavior', () => { // Test showing why the "wrong" way fails }) // From lines XX-YY: Correct way example it('should demonstrate the correct behavior', () => { // Test showing the right approach }) }) })
Complete DOM Test File Template
/** * @vitest-environment jsdom */ import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest' // ============================================================ // DOM EXAMPLES FROM [CONCEPT NAME] // From [concept].mdx lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('[Concept Name] - DOM', () => { // Shared setup let container beforeEach(() => { // Create a fresh container for each test container = document.createElement('div') container.id = 'test-container' document.body.appendChild(container) }) afterEach(() => { // Clean up after each test document.body.innerHTML = '' vi.restoreAllMocks() }) // ============================================================ // [SECTION NAME] // From lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('[Section Name]', () => { // From lines XX-YY: [Example description] it('should [expected DOM behavior]', () => { // Setup const element = document.createElement('div') container.appendChild(element) // Action element.textContent = 'Hello' // Assert expect(element.textContent).toBe('Hello') }) }) // ============================================================ // EVENT HANDLING // From lines XX-YY // ============================================================ describe('Event Handling', () => { // From lines XX-YY: Click event example it('should handle click events', () => { const button = document.createElement('button') container.appendChild(button) let clicked = false button.addEventListener('click', () => { clicked = true }) button.click() expect(clicked).toBe(true) }) }) })
Running Tests
# Run all tests npm test # Run tests for specific concept npm test -- tests/fundamentals/primitive-types/ # Run tests for specific file npm test -- tests/fundamentals/primitive-types/primitive-types.test.js # Run DOM tests only npm test -- tests/fundamentals/primitive-types/primitive-types.dom.test.js # Run with watch mode npm run test:watch # Run with coverage npm run test:coverage # Run with verbose output npm test -- --reporter=verbose
Quality Checklist
Completeness
- All testable code examples have corresponding tests
- Tests organized by documentation sections
- Source line references included in comments (From lines XX-YY)
- DOM tests in separate
.dom.test.jsfile - Edge cases and error examples tested
Correctness
- Tests verify the actual documented behavior
- Output comments in docs match test expectations
- Async tests properly use async/await
- Error tests use correct
toThrowpattern - Floating point comparisons use
toBeCloseTo - Object comparisons use
toEqual(nottoBe)
Convention
- Uses explicit imports from vitest
- Follows describe/it nesting pattern
- Test names start with "should"
- Proper file naming (
{concept}.test.js) - DOM tests have jsdom environment directive
Verification
- All tests pass:
npm test -- tests/{category}/{concept}/ - No skipped tests without documented reason
- No false positives (tests that pass for wrong reasons)
Test Report Template
Use this template to document test coverage for a concept page.
# Test Coverage Report: [Concept Name] **Concept Page:** `/docs/concepts/[slug].mdx` **Test File:** `/tests/{category}/{concept}/{concept}.test.js` **DOM Test File:** `/tests/{category}/{concept}/{concept}.dom.test.js` (if applicable) **Date:** YYYY-MM-DD **Author:** [Name/Claude] ## Summary | Metric | Count | |--------|-------| | Total Code Examples in Doc | XX | | Testable Examples | XX | | Tests Written | XX | | DOM Tests Written | XX | | Skipped (with reason) | XX | ## Tests by Section | Section | Line Range | Examples | Tests | Status | |---------|------------|----------|-------|--------| | [Section 1] | XX-YY | X | X | β | | [Section 2] | XX-YY | X | X | β | | [Section 3] | XX-YY | X | X | β οΈ (1 skipped) | ## Skipped Examples | Line | Example Description | Reason | |------|---------------------|--------| | XX | ASCII diagram of call stack | Conceptual, not executable | | YY | Browser fetch example | Requires network, mocked instead | ## Test Execution ```bash npm test -- tests/{category}/{concept}/
Result: β XX passing | β X failing | βοΈ X skipped
Notes
[Any special considerations, mock requirements, or issues encountered]
---
## Common Issues and Solutions
### Issue: Test passes but shouldn't
**Problem:** Test expectations don't match documentation output
**Solution:** Double-check the expected value matches the `console.log` comment exactly
```javascript
// Documentation says: console.log(result) // [1, 2, 3]
// Make sure test uses:
expect(result).toEqual([1, 2, 3]) // NOT toBe for arrays
Issue: Async test times out
Problem: Async test never resolves
Solution: Ensure all promises are awaited and async function is marked
// Bad it('should fetch data', () => { const data = fetchData() // Missing await! expect(data).toBeDefined() }) // Good it('should fetch data', async () => { const data = await fetchData() expect(data).toBeDefined() })
Issue: DOM test fails with "document is not defined"
Problem: Missing jsdom environment
Solution: Add environment directive at top of file
/** * @vitest-environment jsdom */
Issue: Test isolation problems
Problem: Tests affect each other
Solution: Use beforeEach/afterEach for cleanup
afterEach(() => { document.body.innerHTML = '' vi.restoreAllMocks() })
Summary
When writing tests for a concept page:
- Extract all code examples from the documentation
- Categorize as testable, DOM, error, or conceptual
- Create test file in correct location with proper naming
- Convert each example to test using appropriate pattern
- Reference source lines in comments for traceability
- Run tests to verify all pass
- Document coverage using the report template
Remember: Tests serve two purposes:
- Verify documentation is accurate
- Catch regressions if code examples are updated
Every testable code example in the documentation should have a corresponding test. If an example can't be tested, document why.