javascript-typescript-jest

by github

Jest testing best practices for JavaScript and TypeScript projects with mocking, async handling, and React patterns. Organize tests with descriptive names in nested describe blocks, using .test.ts / .test.js files placed alongside source code or in tests directories Mock external dependencies with jest.mock() , jest.spyOn() , and mockImplementation() , resetting between tests to prevent state leakage Handle async code with promises, async/await , and resolves / rejects matchers; set... npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill javascript-typescript-jest Download ZIPGitHub36.2k

Test Structure

• Name test files with .test.ts or .test.js suffix

• Place test files next to the code they test or in a dedicated __tests__ directory

• Use descriptive test names that explain the expected behavior

• Use nested describe blocks to organize related tests

• Follow the pattern: describe('Component/Function/Class', () => { it('should do something', () => {}) })

Effective Mocking

• Mock external dependencies (APIs, databases, etc.) to isolate your tests

• Use jest.mock() for module-level mocks

• Use jest.spyOn() for specific function mocks

• Use mockImplementation() or mockReturnValue() to define mock behavior

• Reset mocks between tests with jest.resetAllMocks() in afterEach

Testing Async Code

• Always return promises or use async/await syntax in tests

• Use resolves/rejects matchers for promises

• Set appropriate timeouts for slow tests with jest.setTimeout()

Snapshot Testing

• Use snapshot tests for UI components or complex objects that change infrequently

• Keep snapshots small and focused

• Review snapshot changes carefully before committing

Testing React Components

• Use React Testing Library over Enzyme for testing components

• Test user behavior and component accessibility

• Query elements by accessibility roles, labels, or text content

• Use userEvent over fireEvent for more realistic user interactions

Common Jest Matchers

• Basic: expect(value).toBe(expected), expect(value).toEqual(expected)

• Truthiness: expect(value).toBeTruthy(), expect(value).toBeFalsy()

• Numbers: expect(value).toBeGreaterThan(3), expect(value).toBeLessThanOrEqual(3)

• Strings: expect(value).toMatch(/pattern/), expect(value).toContain('substring')

• Arrays: expect(array).toContain(item), expect(array).toHaveLength(3)

• Objects: expect(object).toHaveProperty('key', value)

• Exceptions: expect(fn).toThrow(), expect(fn).toThrow(Error)

• Mock functions: expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalled(), expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(arg1, arg2)