{"categories":[{"label":"Libraries","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/software-development-libraries/8"},{"label":"Utilities","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/utilities/8"},{"label":"Testing","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/software-development-testing/5"}],"enrichment":{"capability":"ApprovalTests provides a snapshot-based assertion library for testing complex outputs\u2014long strings, large arrays, structured objects\u2014by comparing results against golden-master files and launching diff tools to review changes.","skillfed_tags":["snapshot-testing","golden-master","approval-testing"],"use_cases":["Verify multi-line text output or formatted reports without writing fragile string comparisons.","Test complex nested data structures (dicts, lists, objects) by comparing their serialized form to an approved snapshot.","Review HTML generation or template output using a visual diff tool instead of regex assertions.","Detect unintended changes in API responses or large JSON structures across test runs.","Manage test data for exercises, katas, or green-field projects using the starter project template."],"what_it_does":"ApprovalTests is a snapshot-based testing library that compares test output against previously approved golden-master files. Instead of writing brittle assertions for complex objects, you capture the actual output, review it in a diff tool, and approve it as the expected result. On subsequent runs, any deviation from the approved output triggers a diff comparison, letting you decide whether the change is intentional or a regression.\n\nThe library integrates with pytest and unittest, supports CLI invocation for cross-language testing, and includes reporters that launch external diff tools (like your system's native diff viewer or IDE integrations). It handles long strings, large arrays, HTML, and structured objects\u2014scenarios where line-by-line assertion code becomes unwieldy. Extra dependencies unlock optional features like clipboard reporting, HTML verification, and pairwise test combination.","worth_installing":"Yes. ApprovalTests fills a genuine gap in Python testing: snapshot-based verification for outputs too complex for simple assertions. Active maintenance, low install friction, permissive license, no known vulnerabilities, and broad Python version support (3.10\u20133.14) make it a solid choice. Install it if you regularly test long strings, structured objects, or generated content where a diff tool beats manual assertion logic."},"id":"approvaltests","links":{"html":"https://skillfed.io/packages/approvaltests","md":"https://skillfed.io/packages/approvaltests.md","pypi":"https://pypi.org/project/approvaltests/"},"maintenance":{"status":"active"},"meta":{"latest_release":"2026-08-02","license_spdx":null,"license_treatment":"permissive","name":"approvaltests","python_support":"supports_current","summary":"Assertion/verification library to aid testing"},"popularity":{"monthly_downloads":167975,"position":10458,"tier":"top_15000"},"security":{"n_vulnerabilities":0},"version":"19.1.1"}