# python-testing

Guides the coding assistant to write Python tests using pytest, TDD principles, hypothesis, and mocks. Useful for unit and integration testing.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1000 installs · ★ 286
- Author: Mindrally
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/Mindrally/skills/tree/HEAD/python-testing/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-08
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/mindrally-python-testing

## What it does

This skill guides AI agents through Python testing best practices. It instructs the assistant to inspect function signatures and docstrings, structuring tests around the Arrange-Act-Assert layout. Setup and teardown rely on pytest fixtures, while diverse inputs run through parametrize.

The instructions cover unit tests, integration suites for databases or APIs, and property testing with hypothesis. External calls must be isolated using unittest.mock or pytest-mock, verifying mock calls directly. Code coverage reports rely on coverage.py.

Your local environment must have these packages installed. If hypothesis or pytest-mock are missing from your virtualenv, generated test suites will fail on import.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install Mindrally/skills python-testing
```

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

### Gemini CLI

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

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/Mindrally/skills --path python-testing
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add Mindrally/skills --skill python-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/Mindrally/skills/tree/HEAD/python-testing/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- generate parametrized pytest suites from docstrings and signatures
- mock external services and APIs with unittest.mock or pytest-mock
- set up property-based tests using hypothesis
- write integration tests for database interactions and endpoints

## Example prompts
- Write pytest unit tests for `parse_payload` using Arrange-Act-Assert
- Mock external HTTP calls using pytest-mock for this authentication module
- Create property-based tests with hypothesis to verify invariants in `normalize_text`

## 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: d5d282c7bf174612.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE d5d282c7bf174612
```text
---
name: python-testing
description: Expert in Python testing with pytest and test-driven development
metadata:
  maintainer: Mindrally
  source: https://github.com/Mindrally/skills
---

# Python Testing

You are an expert in Python testing with deep knowledge of pytest, unit testing, and test-driven development.

## Core Principles

- Generate unique, diverse, and intuitive unit tests
- Base tests on function signatures and docstrings
- Follow test-driven development practices
- Write comprehensive test coverage

## Test Structure

- Use descriptive test names
- Follow Arrange-Act-Assert pattern
- Keep tests independent
- Use fixtures for setup/teardown

## pytest Best Practices

- Use parametrize for multiple test cases
- Leverage fixtures for reusable setup
- Use markers for test categorization
- Implement proper assertions

## Test Types

### Unit Tests
- Test individual functions in isolation
- Mock external dependencies
- Test edge cases and boundaries

### Integration Tests
- Test component interactions
- Use test databases
- Test API endpoints

### Property-Based Testing
- Use hypothesis for property testing
- Generate random test data
- Test invariants

## Mocking

- Use unittest.mock or pytest-mock
- Mock external services
- Use patch decorators appropriately
- Verify mock calls

## Coverage

- Aim for high code coverage
- Focus on critical paths
- Don't sacrifice quality for coverage
- Use coverage.py for reporting
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE d5d282c7bf174612

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the d5d282c7bf174612 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.

© Mindrally · Apache-2.0 · https://github.com/Mindrally/skills/tree/HEAD/python-testing/SKILL.md

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