---
id: spatie/freek.dev/pest-testing
version: "da67b7a3"
license: MIT
install: manual
updated: 2026-07-22
---

# pest-testing — This skill guides you through testing Laravel applications with Pest 4, covering unit and feature tests, browser testing with real browsers, and architecture validation. It handles test organization, assertions, mocking, datasets, and debugging—activating whenever you're writing tests, adding assertions, or verifying functionality.

Publisher: spatie · Stars: 651 · Updated: 2026-07-22

Install (manual): `git clone https://github.com/spatie/freek.dev`

## SKILL.md

# Pest Testing 4

## When to Apply

Activate this skill when:

- Creating new tests (unit, feature, or browser)
- Modifying existing tests
- Debugging test failures
- Working with browser testing or smoke testing
- Writing architecture tests or visual regression tests

## Documentation

Use `search-docs` for detailed Pest 4 patterns and documentation.

## Basic Usage

### Creating Tests

All tests must be written using Pest. Use `php artisan make:test --pest {name}`.

### Test Organization

- Unit/Feature tests: `tests/Feature` and `tests/Unit` directories.
- Browser tests: `tests/Browser/` directory.
- Do NOT remove tests without approval - these are core application code.

### Basic Test Structure

<code-snippet name="Basic Pest Test Example" lang="php">

it('is true', function () {
    expect(true)->toBeTrue();
});

</code-snippet>

### Running Tests

- Run minimal tests with filter before finalizing: `php artisan test --compact --filter=testName`.
- Run all tests: `php artisan test --compact`.
- Run file: `php artisan test --compact tests/Feature/ExampleTest.php`.

## Assertions

Use specific assertions (`assertSuccessful()`, `assertNotFound()`) instead of `assertStatus()`:

<code-snippet name="Pest Response Assertion" lang="php">

it('returns all', function () {
    $this->postJson('/api/docs', [])->assertSuccessful();
});

</code-snippet>

| Use | Instead of |
|-----|------------|
| `assertSuccessful()` | `assertStatus(200)` |
| `assertNotFound()` | `assertStatus(404)` |
| `assertForbidden()` | `assertStatus(403)` |

## Mocking

Import mock function before use: `use function Pest\Laravel\mock;`

## Datasets

Use datasets for repetitive tests (validation rules, etc.):

<code-snippet name="Pest Dataset Example" lang="php">

it('has emails', function (string $email) {
    expect($email)->not->toBeEmpty();
})->with([
    'james' => 'james@laravel.com',
    'taylor' => 'taylor@laravel.com',
]);

</code-snippet>

## Pest 4 Features

| Feature | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Browser Testing | Full integration tests in real browsers |
| Smoke Testing | Validate multiple pages quickly |
| Visual Regression | Compare screenshots for visual changes |
| Test Sharding | Parallel CI runs |
| Architecture Testing | Enforce code conventions |

### Browser Test Example

Browser tests run in real browsers for full integration testing:

- Browser tests live in `tests/Browser/`.
- Use Laravel features like `Event::fake()`, `assertAuthenticated()`, and model factories.
- Use `RefreshDatabase` for clean state per test.
- Interact with page: click, type, scroll, select, submit, drag-and-drop, touch gestures.
- Test on multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) if requested.
- Test on different devices/viewports (iPhone 14 Pro, tablets) if requested.
- Switch color schemes (light/dark mode) when appropriate.
- Take screenshots or pause tests for debugging.

<code-snippet name="Pest Browser Test Example" lang="php">

it('may reset the password', function () {
    Notification::fake();

    $this->actingAs(User::factory()->create());

    $page = visit('/sign-in');

    $page->assertSee('Sign In')
        ->assertNoJavascriptErrors()
        ->click('Forgot Password?')
        ->fill('email', 'nuno@laravel.com')
        ->click('Send Reset Link')
        ->assertSee('We have emailed your password reset link!');

    Notification::assertSent(ResetPassword::class);
});

</code-snippet>

### Smoke Testing

Quickly validate multiple pages have no JavaScript errors:

<code-snippet name="Pest Smoke Testing Example" lang="php">

$pages = visit(['/', '/about', '/contact']);

$pages->assertNoJavascriptErrors()->assertNoConsoleLogs();

</code-snippet>

### Visual Regression Testing

Capture and compare screenshots to detect visual changes.

### Test Sharding

Split tests across parallel processes for faster CI runs.

### Architecture Testing

Pest 4 includes architecture testing (from Pest 3):

<code-snippet name="Architecture Test Example" lang="php">

arch('controllers')
    ->expect('App\Http\Controllers')
    ->toExtendNothing()
    ->toHaveSuffix('Controller');

</code-snippet>

## Common Pitfalls

- Not importing `use function Pest\Laravel\mock;` before using mock
- Using `assertStatus(200)` instead of `assertSuccessful()`
- Forgetting datasets for repetitive validation tests
- Deleting tests without approval
- Forgetting `assertNoJavascriptErrors()` in browser tests

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