home / skills / secondsky / claude-skills / jest-generator

This skill generates Jest unit tests for JavaScript and TypeScript code, including mocks, describe blocks, and coverage-friendly patterns.

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---
name: jest-generator
description: Generate Jest unit tests for JavaScript/TypeScript with mocking, coverage. Use for JS/TS modules, React components, test generation, or encountering missing coverage, improper mocking, test structure errors.
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, Glob
---

# Jest Generator Skill

## Purpose

Generate Jest-based unit tests for JavaScript and TypeScript code, following Jest conventions and best practices with proper mocking, describe blocks, and code organization.

## When to Use

- Generate Jest tests for JavaScript/TypeScript modules
- Create test files for React components
- Add missing test coverage to existing code
- Need Jest-specific patterns (mocks, spies, snapshots)

## Test File Naming

**Source to Test Mapping:**
- `src/components/Feature.tsx` → `src/components/Feature.test.tsx`
- `src/utils/validator.ts` → `src/utils/validator.test.ts`
- `src/models/User.ts` → `src/models/User.test.ts`

## Running Tests

```bash
# Preferred: Using bun (faster)
bun test

# Run specific file
bun test src/utils/validator.test.ts

# Run with coverage
bun test --coverage

# Watch mode
bun test --watch

# Alternative: Using npm
npm test
npm test -- --coverage
```

## Jest Test Structure

```typescript
import { functionToTest, ClassToTest } from './Feature'

jest.mock('./dependency')

describe('ModuleName', () => {
  beforeEach(() => {
    jest.clearAllMocks()
  })

  afterEach(() => {
    jest.restoreAllMocks()
  })

  describe('ClassName', () => {
    let instance: ClassToTest

    beforeEach(() => {
      instance = new ClassToTest()
    })

    it('should return expected result with valid input', () => {
      // Arrange
      const input = { key: 'value' }
      const expected = { processed: true }

      // Act
      const result = instance.method(input)

      // Assert
      expect(result).toEqual(expected)
    })

    it('should throw error with invalid input', () => {
      expect(() => instance.method(null)).toThrow('Invalid input')
    })
  })
})
```

## Jest-Specific Patterns

### Mocking

```typescript
// Mock entire module
jest.mock('./api', () => ({
  fetchData: jest.fn(),
}))

// Mock with implementation
const mockFn = jest.fn((x: number) => x * 2)

// Spy on method
const spy = jest.spyOn(obj, 'method').mockReturnValue('mocked')
spy.mockRestore()
```

### Async Testing

```typescript
it('should resolve with data', async () => {
  const result = await asyncFunction()
  expect(result).toBeDefined()
})

it('should reject with error', async () => {
  await expect(asyncFunction()).rejects.toThrow('Error')
})
```

### Timers

```typescript
beforeEach(() => jest.useFakeTimers())
afterEach(() => jest.useRealTimers())

it('should execute after timeout', () => {
  const callback = jest.fn()
  setTimeout(callback, 1000)
  jest.advanceTimersByTime(1000)
  expect(callback).toHaveBeenCalled()
})
```

### Common Matchers

```typescript
// Equality
expect(value).toBe(expected)
expect(value).toEqual(expected)

// Truthiness
expect(value).toBeTruthy()
expect(value).toBeNull()
expect(value).toBeDefined()

// Arrays/Objects
expect(array).toContain(item)
expect(obj).toHaveProperty('key')

// Functions/Promises
expect(fn).toThrow('error')
await expect(promise).resolves.toBe(value)

// Mock functions
expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalled()
expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(arg)
```

### React Component Testing

```typescript
import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react'
import '@testing-library/jest-dom'
import { Button } from './Button'

describe('Button', () => {
  it('should call onClick when clicked', () => {
    const handleClick = jest.fn()
    render(<Button onClick={handleClick}>Click me</Button>)
    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Click me'))
    expect(handleClick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
  })
})
```

## Quality Checklist

- [ ] Test file properly named (`<module>.test.ts`)
- [ ] All exported functions/classes tested
- [ ] Happy path and edge cases included
- [ ] Error conditions tested
- [ ] External dependencies mocked
- [ ] Tests organized with describe blocks
- [ ] beforeEach/afterEach for setup/cleanup
- [ ] Descriptive test names
- [ ] Coverage ≥ 80%

## Best Practices

1. Use descriptive test names: `should <expected> when <condition>`
2. Organize with describe blocks
3. Mock external dependencies only
4. Test user behavior for components
5. Use test.each for parametrized tests
6. Keep tests independent
7. Test error conditions
8. Aim for 80%+ coverage

Overview

This skill generates Jest unit tests for JavaScript and TypeScript projects, producing production-ready test files with proper structure, mocking, and coverage hints. It targets modules and React components and focuses on maintainable tests that follow Jest conventions. Use it to add missing coverage, fix improper mocking, or scaffold well-organized test suites quickly.

How this skill works

The generator inspects source files and maps them to .test.ts/.test.tsx counterparts, scaffolding describe blocks, beforeEach/afterEach hooks, and common matchers. It inserts Jest-specific patterns: module mocks, spies, async tests, timers, and React Testing Library setups when components are detected. Outputs include runnable examples, coverage reminders, and a checklist to reach 80%+ coverage.

When to use it

  • Create unit tests for JS/TS modules or classes
  • Generate test files for React components using Testing Library
  • Add or restore missing coverage in an existing codebase
  • Fix improper mocking, spies, or async test patterns
  • Standardize test file naming and structure across a repo

Best practices

  • Name test files to mirror source: Component.tsx → Component.test.tsx
  • Group related specs with describe and keep tests independent
  • Mock external dependencies only; restore spies after each test
  • Cover happy paths, edge cases, and error conditions explicitly
  • Use test.each for parameterized cases and aim for ≥80% coverage

Example use cases

  • Scaffold tests for a utility module with sync and async functions, including mocks for network calls
  • Create React component tests that assert UI behavior and event handling with fireEvent and screen queries
  • Add failing tests to drive fixes for uncovered edge cases and increase coverage
  • Replace ad-hoc mocks with jest.mock and jest.spyOn patterns and restore afterwards

FAQ

Which file mapping does the generator use?

It maps source files to same-folder test files: .ts → .test.ts and .tsx → .test.tsx so tests live alongside implementation.

Will it handle async functions and timers?

Yes. It generates async/await test bodies, rejects/resolves assertions, and optional fake timer setup with advanceTimersByTime when needed.

How does it recommend running tests?

It suggests running tests with bun test for speed, or npm test as an alternative, and includes flags for coverage and watch mode.