laravel-tdd

Write the test first. Watch it fail. Write minimal code to pass.

This skill adapts TDD principles specifically for Laravel applications using Pest PHP, Laravel's testing features, and framework-specific patterns.

Always for Laravel:

• New features (controllers, models, services)
• Bug fixes
• API endpoints
• Database migrations and models
• Form validation
• Authorization policies
• Queue jobs
• Artisan commands
• Middleware

Exceptions (ask your human partner):

• Throwaway prototypes
• Configuration files
• View-only changes (no logic)

```

RED → Verify RED → GREEN → Verify GREEN → REFACTOR → Repeat

```

RED - Write Failing Test

Write one minimal test showing what the Laravel feature should do.

Feature Test Example:

```php

use App\Models\User;

use App\Models\Post;

test('authenticated user can create post', function () {

$user = User::factory()->create();

$this->actingAs($user)

->post('/posts', [

'title' => 'My First Post',

'content' => 'Post content here',

])

->assertRedirect('/posts');

expect(Post::where('title', 'My First Post')->exists())->toBeTrue();

expect(Post::first()->user_id)->toBe($user->id);

});

```

Verify RED - Watch It Fail

```bash

php artisan test --filter=authenticated_user_can_create_post

```

GREEN - Minimal Laravel Code

Write simplest Laravel code to pass the test.

Verify GREEN - Watch It Pass

```bash

php artisan test

```

REFACTOR - Clean Up Laravel Code

After green only:

• Extract services for complex logic
• Create policies for authorization
• Add query scopes for reusability
• Use events for side effects

Database Testing

```php

use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;

uses(RefreshDatabase::class);

test('creates post in database', function () {

$user = User::factory()->create();

$this->actingAs($user)

->post('/posts', ['title' => 'Test', 'content' => 'Content']);

$this->assertDatabaseHas('posts', ['title' => 'Test']);

});

```

Authorization Testing

```php

test('user cannot delete others posts', function () {

$user = User::factory()->create();

$post = Post::factory()->create();

$this->actingAs($user)

->delete("/posts/{$post->id}")

->assertForbidden();

});

```

API Testing

```php

test('creates post via API', function () {

$user = User::factory()->create();

$this->actingAs($user, 'sanctum')

->postJson('/api/posts', ['title' => 'API Post', 'content' => 'Content'])

->assertCreated();

});

```

• [ ] Migration test passes
• [ ] Model relationships tested
• [ ] Controller actions tested
• [ ] Validation rules tested
• [ ] Authorization tested
• [ ] Database state verified
• [ ] All tests passing
• [ ] Used RefreshDatabase
• [ ] Used factories

```

Every Laravel feature → Test exists and failed first

Otherwise → Not TDD

```