Deno testing with Deno.test and std/testing. Covers unit tests, async tests, mocking, snapshots, and BDD-style testing. USE WHEN: user mentions "deno test", "deno testing", asks about "Deno.test", "assertSnapshot", "FakeTime", "spy", "stub", "BDD deno" DO NOT USE FOR: Node.js projects - use `vitest` or `jest`; Browser-only code - use Playwright; Python - use `pytest`; Java - use `junit`; Non-Deno TypeScript - use `vitest`
Scanned 9/8/2026
Install to Claude Code
npx -y skills add claude-dev-suite/claude-dev-suite --skill deno-testing --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
Are you the author of Deno Testing?
Add the live security badge to your README — it updates automatically with every re-scan.
[](https://www.skillsdirectory.com/skills/claude-dev-suite-deno-testing)More formats (shields.io, HTML) on the badges page.
---
name: deno-testing
description: |
Deno testing with Deno.test and std/testing. Covers unit tests, async tests,
mocking, snapshots, and BDD-style testing.
USE WHEN: user mentions "deno test", "deno testing", asks about "Deno.test", "assertSnapshot", "FakeTime", "spy", "stub", "BDD deno"
DO NOT USE FOR: Node.js projects - use `vitest` or `jest`; Browser-only code - use Playwright; Python - use `pytest`; Java - use `junit`; Non-Deno TypeScript - use `vitest`
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Write, Edit, Bash
---
# Deno Testing Core Knowledge
> **Deep Knowledge**: Use `mcp__documentation__fetch_docs` with technology: `deno` for comprehensive documentation.
> **Full Reference**: See [advanced.md](advanced.md) for FakeTime, BDD Style, Snapshots, HTTP Testing, Integration Tests, Test Context, Custom Assertions, and Permissions Testing.
## When NOT to Use This Skill
- **Node.js Projects** - Use `vitest` or `jest` for Node.js
- **Browser-Only Code** - Use Playwright for browser automation
- **Python Projects** - Use `pytest` for Python
- **Java Projects** - Use `junit` for Java
- **Non-Deno TypeScript** - Use `vitest` for standard TypeScript
## Basic Testing
### Unit Tests
```typescript
// math.ts
export function add(a: number, b: number): number {
return a + b;
}
export function divide(a: number, b: number): number {
if (b === 0) {
throw new Error("Division by zero");
}
return a / b;
}
// math_test.ts
import { assertEquals, assertThrows } from "https://deno.land/std@0.208.0/assert/mod.ts";
import { add, divide } from "./math.ts";
Deno.test("add positive numbers", () => {
assertEquals(add(2, 3), 5);
});
Deno.test("divide by zero throws", () => {
assertThrows(
() => divide(10, 0),
Error,
"Division by zero"
);
});
```
### Running Tests
```bash
# Run all tests
deno test
# Run specific file
deno test math_test.ts
# Run tests matching pattern
deno test --filter "add"
# Allow permissions
deno test --allow-read --allow-net
# Watch mode
deno test --watch
# Coverage
deno test --coverage=cov_profile
deno coverage cov_profile --html
```
## Assertions
```typescript
import {
assertEquals,
assertNotEquals,
assertStrictEquals,
assertExists,
assertInstanceOf,
assertArrayIncludes,
assertStringIncludes,
assertMatch,
assertThrows,
assertRejects,
assert,
} from "https://deno.land/std@0.208.0/assert/mod.ts";
Deno.test("assertions examples", () => {
assertEquals({ a: 1 }, { a: 1 });
assertNotEquals({ a: 1 }, { a: 2 });
assertStrictEquals(obj, obj); // Reference equality
assertExists("value"); // Not null/undefined
assertInstanceOf(new Date(), Date);
assertArrayIncludes([1, 2, 3], [2, 3]);
assertStringIncludes("hello world", "world");
assertMatch("hello123", /\d+/);
assert(true);
});
Deno.test("error assertions", async () => {
assertThrows(() => { throw new Error("oops"); }, Error, "oops");
await assertRejects(async () => { throw new Error("async error"); }, Error);
});
```
## Test Organization
### Test Steps
```typescript
Deno.test("user workflow", async (t) => {
let userId: string;
await t.step("create user", async () => {
const response = await fetch("http://localhost:8000/users", {
method: "POST",
body: JSON.stringify({ name: "Alice" }),
});
const user = await response.json();
userId = user.id;
assertEquals(user.name, "Alice");
});
await t.step("get user", async () => {
const response = await fetch(`http://localhost:8000/users/${userId}`);
const user = await response.json();
assertEquals(user.id, userId);
});
});
```
### Test Options
```typescript
Deno.test({
name: "test with options",
permissions: { read: true, net: true },
fn: async () => {
const data = await Deno.readTextFile("./data.txt");
assertEquals(data.length > 0, true);
},
});
Deno.test({
name: "ignored test",
ignore: Deno.build.os === "windows",
fn: () => { /* Skipped on Windows */ },
});
Deno.test({
name: "test with sanitizers disabled",
sanitizeResources: false,
sanitizeOps: false,
fn: async () => { /* Test that might leak resources */ },
});
```
## Async Testing
```typescript
Deno.test("async test", async () => {
const result = await asyncOperation();
assertEquals(result, "expected");
});
Deno.test("timeout handling", async () => {
const controller = new AbortController();
const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), 5000);
try {
const response = await fetch("http://example.com", {
signal: controller.signal,
});
assertEquals(response.ok, true);
} finally {
clearTimeout(timeout);
}
});
```
## Mocking
### Spy Functions
```typescript
import { spy, assertSpyCalls, assertSpyCall } from "https://deno.land/std@0.208.0/testing/mock.ts";
Deno.test("spy example", () => {
const func = spy((x: number) => x * 2);
assertEquals(func(2), 4);
assertEquals(func(3), 6);
assertSpyCalls(func, 2);
assertSpyCall(func, 0, { args: [2], returned: 4 });
});
Deno.test("spy on object method", () => {
const obj = {
greet(name: string) { return `Hello, ${name}!`; },
};
const greetSpy = spy(obj, "greet");
assertEquals(obj.greet("Alice"), "Hello, Alice!");
assertSpyCalls(greetSpy, 1);
greetSpy.restore();
});
```
### Stub Functions
```typescript
import { stub, returnsNext } from "https://deno.land/std@0.208.0/testing/mock.ts";
Deno.test("stub example", () => {
const obj = { getValue: () => Math.random() };
const stubFn = stub(obj, "getValue", () => 42);
assertEquals(obj.getValue(), 42);
assertEquals(obj.getValue(), 42);
stubFn.restore();
});
Deno.test("stub with different returns", () => {
const obj = { getValue: () => 0 };
const stubFn = stub(obj, "getValue", returnsNext([1, 2, 3]));
assertEquals(obj.getValue(), 1);
assertEquals(obj.getValue(), 2);
assertEquals(obj.getValue(), 3);
stubFn.restore();
});
```
### Mocking Fetch
```typescript
Deno.test("mock fetch", async () => {
const mockResponse = new Response(JSON.stringify({ id: 1, name: "Alice" }), {
status: 200,
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
});
const fetchStub = stub(
globalThis,
"fetch",
() => Promise.resolve(mockResponse)
);
try {
const response = await fetch("http://api.example.com/users/1");
const user = await response.json();
assertEquals(user.name, "Alice");
} finally {
fetchStub.restore();
}
});
```
---
## Checklist
- [ ] Unit tests for all public functions
- [ ] Async tests for async operations
- [ ] BDD-style tests for complex features
- [ ] Mock external dependencies
- [ ] Snapshot tests for complex data
- [ ] HTTP handler tests
- [ ] Test steps for workflows
- [ ] Permission-aware tests
- [ ] Coverage reporting
## Anti-Patterns
| Anti-Pattern | Why It's Bad | Solution |
|--------------|--------------|----------|
| Not specifying permissions | Tests fail unexpectedly | Use permissions option in test |
| Not restoring stubs/spies | Affects other tests | Always call stub.restore() |
| Over-using snapshots | Hard to review changes | Use snapshots sparingly |
| Disabled sanitizers without reason | Resource leaks | Only disable when necessary |
| Not using test steps | Hard to debug complex flows | Use t.step() for workflows |
| Hardcoded waits | Slow, unreliable tests | Use proper async patterns |
## Quick Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---------|--------------|----------|
| "PermissionDenied" | Missing permission in test | Add permissions: { read: true } etc. |
| "Leaking resources" | Unclosed file/connection | Close resources or disable sanitizer |
| "Leaking async ops" | Unfinished async operation | Await all promises or disable sanitizer |
| Snapshot mismatch | Intentional change | Review diff, update with --update |
| Stub not working | Not restored from previous test | Call stub.restore() in cleanup |
| Test timeout | Infinite loop or slow operation | Add timeout or investigate |
## Reference Documentation
- [Deno Testing](https://docs.deno.com/runtime/fundamentals/testing/)
- [std/testing](https://deno.land/std@0.208.0/testing)
Is this your skill, or is something wrong with this listing? Request removal or report an issue. Author removals are honored within 72 hours.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!