# encore-go-testing

Write and run Encore Go tests with encore test and Go’s standard testing package. It covers handlers, service calls, databases, errors, and test structure.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 556 installs · ★ 30
- Author: encoredev
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/encoredev/skills/tree/HEAD/encore/go-testing/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/encore-go-testing

## What it does

This skill guides tests for Encore Go applications. It uses `encore test` for the full suite, a selected package, or verbose output, while test files call handlers directly and assert returned values. The examples cover request parameters, service-to-service calls, Encore errors, event publishing, and the function behind a cron job.

It also shows database checks with `sqldb.Exec`, table-driven cases, and nested tests built with `t.Run`. Error handling uses `errs.Error` and its codes. `encore test` sets up test databases, isolates infrastructure for each test, and handles service dependencies, so the documented workflow does not treat plain `go test` as the preferred runner.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill encore-go-testing -a claude-code
```
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill go-testing -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/go-testing/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/go-testing/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill go-testing -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/go-testing/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill go-testing -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/go-testing/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install encoredev/skills go-testing
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/go-testing/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill go-testing -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/encoredev/skills --path encore/go-testing
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/go-testing/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add encoredev/skills --skill go-testing -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/encoredev/skills/tree/HEAD/encore/go-testing/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- write a test for an Encore Go handler
- check an API response with request parameters
- verify database create-and-read flows
- assert an Encore `NotFound` error
- organize table-driven and nested tests

## Example prompts
- Write a `*_test.go` file for `GetUser` and check the response for ID `123`.
- Add a user creation test that stores a record, retrieves it, and checks its email.
- Run the Encore test suite with verbose output using `encore test -v ./...`.

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 83af1538015254c3.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 83af1538015254c3
````text
---
name: encore-go-testing
description: Write or run automated tests for Encore Go code with `encore test` and the standard library `testing` package. Covers isolated per-test databases, calling handlers directly, and `*testing.T` patterns.
when_to_use: >-
  User wants to add/write/fix a test in Go, write a `*_test.go` file, test an endpoint or service, set up `encore test`, configure isolated test databases, write `t.Cleanup`/`t.Helper` for db cleanup, mock external dependencies, or assert on API request/response behaviour. Trigger phrases: "write a Go test", "add tests for", "go test", "encore test", "test the endpoint", "test the service", "integration test", "isolated database".
---

# Testing Encore Go Applications

## Instructions

Encore Go uses standard Go testing with `encore test`.

### Run Tests

```bash
# Run all tests with Encore (recommended)
encore test ./...

# Run tests for a specific package
encore test ./user/...

# Run with verbose output
encore test -v ./...
```

Using `encore test` instead of `go test` is recommended because it:
- Sets up test databases automatically
- Provides isolated infrastructure per test
- Handles service dependencies

### Test an API Endpoint

```go
// hello/hello_test.go
package hello

import (
    "context"
    "testing"
)

func TestHello(t *testing.T) {
    ctx := context.Background()
    
    resp, err := Hello(ctx)
    if err != nil {
        t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
    }
    
    if resp.Message != "Hello, World!" {
        t.Errorf("expected 'Hello, World!', got '%s'", resp.Message)
    }
}
```

### Test with Request Parameters

```go
// user/user_test.go
package user

import (
    "context"
    "testing"
)

func TestGetUser(t *testing.T) {
    ctx := context.Background()
    
    user, err := GetUser(ctx, &GetUserParams{ID: "123"})
    if err != nil {
        t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
    }
    
    if user.ID != "123" {
        t.Errorf("expected ID '123', got '%s'", user.ID)
    }
}
```

### Test Database Operations

Encore provides isolated test databases:

```go
// user/user_test.go
package user

import (
    "context"
    "testing"
    
    "encore.dev/storage/sqldb"
)

func TestCreateUser(t *testing.T) {
    ctx := context.Background()
    
    // Clean up
    _, _ = sqldb.Exec(ctx, db, "DELETE FROM users")
    
    // Create user
    created, err := CreateUser(ctx, &CreateUserParams{
        Email: "test@example.com",
        Name:  "Test User",
    })
    if err != nil {
        t.Fatalf("failed to create user: %v", err)
    }
    
    // Retrieve and verify
    retrieved, err := GetUser(ctx, &GetUserParams{ID: created.ID})
    if err != nil {
        t.Fatalf("failed to get user: %v", err)
    }
    
    if retrieved.Email != "test@example.com" {
        t.Errorf("expected email 'test@example.com', got '%s'", retrieved.Email)
    }
}
```

### Test Service-to-Service Calls

```go
// order/order_test.go
package order

import (
    "context"
    "testing"
)

func TestCreateOrder(t *testing.T) {
    ctx := context.Background()
    
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 83af1538015254c3

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 83af1538015254c3 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

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