9.9 KiB
9.9 KiB
description, argument-hint
| description | argument-hint |
|---|---|
| Get expert guidance on testing XState v5 actors with xstate-audition | [what-to-test] |
XState Audition Testing Guidance
Provide expert guidance on testing XState v5 actors using the xstate-audition library for comprehensive state machine and actor testing.
Usage
/audition [optional: what you need to test]
Arguments:
what-to-test(optional): Describe what you're trying to test or paste test code you need help with
Instructions
When this command is invoked:
-
Load the xstate-audition skill from
skills/xstate-audition/SKILL.md -
If the user provided context, analyze their needs and:
- Identify which xstate-audition functions apply to their testing scenario
- Provide specific test examples using xstate-audition APIs
- Explain the testing pattern and timing considerations
- Show best practices for the specific test case
- Reference the appropriate documentation from
references/:- Core Functions for API documentation
- Options & Types for configuration details
- Testing Patterns for advanced examples
-
If no context was provided, offer to help by:
- Asking what they're trying to test or what actor behavior needs verification
- Listing common test scenarios:
- Testing state transitions
- Testing promise actors and async operations
- Testing event emissions and actor communication
- Testing hierarchical actors and spawning
- Testing with timeouts and error handling
- Integration testing of actor systems
- Offering to show examples of specific patterns
-
Always emphasize xstate-audition best practices:
- Use currying for repeated patterns to reduce boilerplate
- Set external input BEFORE awaiting (avoid race conditions)
- Use
waitFor*()for multi-stage tests (keeps actor alive) - Provide explicit type arguments (especially for
runUntilSpawn) - Use appropriate timeouts (less than test framework timeout)
- Test state transitions explicitly with
runUntilTransition() - Use
runUntilSnapshot()for complex conditions
-
Explain the core testing pattern:
- Create an Actor using
createActor(logic) - Create a Promise using a condition function (e.g.,
runUntilDone(actor)) - If the actor needs external input, perform that operation BEFORE awaiting
- Await the Promise
- Make assertions about the result
- Create an Actor using
-
Clarify
runUntil*()vswaitFor*():runUntil*()- Starts actor, waits for condition, then STOPS the actorwaitFor*()- Starts actor, waits for condition, but KEEPS the actor running
Example Interactions
With context - testing a promise actor:
User: /audition How do I test this promise actor?
const fetchLogic = fromPromise(async ({ input }) => {
const res = await fetch(input.url);
return res.json();
});
Agent: Here's how to test your promise actor with xstate-audition:
\`\`\`typescript
import { createActor, fromPromise } from 'xstate';
import { runUntilDone } from 'xstate-audition';
import { describe, it } from 'node:test';
import { strict as assert } from 'node:assert';
const fetchLogic = fromPromise<any, { url: string }>(
async ({ input }) => {
const res = await fetch(input.url);
return res.json();
}
);
describe('fetchLogic', () => {
it('should complete with fetched data', async () => {
const actor = createActor(fetchLogic, {
input: { url: 'https://api.example.com/data' }
});
const result = await runUntilDone(actor);
assert.ok(result);
assert.equal(typeof result, 'object');
});
it('should handle errors', async () => {
const actor = createActor(fetchLogic, {
input: { url: 'https://invalid.url' }
});
await assert.rejects(
runUntilDone(actor),
(err: Error) => {
assert.ok(err.message.includes('fetch'));
return true;
}
);
});
});
\`\`\`
Key patterns:
- `runUntilDone()` waits for the promise actor to complete
- Pass input via actor options
- Use `assert.rejects()` to test error cases
- The actor automatically starts when you await the promise
With context - testing state transitions:
User: /audition I need to test that my machine transitions from idle to loading when FETCH is sent
Agent: Use `runUntilTransition()` to test explicit state changes:
\`\`\`typescript
import { createActor } from 'xstate';
import { runUntilTransition } from 'xstate-audition';
import { describe, it, beforeEach } from 'node:test';
import { strict as assert } from 'node:assert';
describe('fetchMachine transitions', () => {
let actor: Actor<typeof fetchMachine>;
let runFromIdle: CurryTransitionP2<typeof actor>;
beforeEach(() => {
actor = createActor(fetchMachine);
// Curry with actor and fromState for reusability
runFromIdle = runUntilTransition(actor, 'fetchMachine.idle');
});
it('should transition from idle to loading', async () => {
// Setup the promise FIRST
const promise = runFromIdle('fetchMachine.loading');
// THEN send the event that triggers the transition
actor.send({ type: 'FETCH' });
// Finally await the result
await promise;
});
it('should transition through loading to success', async () => {
actor.send({ type: 'FETCH' });
await runFromIdle('fetchMachine.success');
});
});
\`\`\`
Important timing note:
1. Create the promise BEFORE sending the event
2. Send the event that triggers the transition
3. Then await the promise
This pattern avoids race conditions. The curried form (`runFromIdle`) reduces boilerplate!
With context - testing event emissions:
User: /audition How do I test that my machine emits events?
Agent: Use `runUntilEmitted()` to test event emissions:
\`\`\`typescript
import { createActor, setup, emit } from 'xstate';
import { runUntilEmitted } from 'xstate-audition';
import { describe, it } from 'node:test';
import { strict as assert } from 'node:assert';
const notifierMachine = setup({
types: {
emitted: {} as
| { type: 'READY'; message: string }
| { type: 'ERROR'; error: Error },
},
}).createMachine({
initial: 'initializing',
states: {
initializing: {
entry: emit({ type: 'READY', message: 'System initialized' }),
on: {
START: 'running',
},
},
running: {},
},
});
describe('notifierMachine emissions', () => {
it('should emit READY on initialization', async () => {
const actor = createActor(notifierMachine);
// Wait for READY event
const [readyEvent] = await runUntilEmitted(actor, ['READY']);
assert.equal(readyEvent.type, 'READY');
assert.equal(readyEvent.message, 'System initialized');
});
it('should emit multiple events', async () => {
const actor = createActor(notifierMachine);
// Wait for any of these events
const events = await runUntilEmitted(actor, ['READY', 'ERROR']);
assert.ok(events.length > 0);
assert.equal(events[0].type, 'READY');
});
});
\`\`\`
The function returns an array of emitted events. Test the ones you care about!
With context - testing hierarchical actors:
User: /audition How do I test parent/child actor communication?
Agent: Use `waitForSpawn()` to test hierarchical actors:
\`\`\`typescript
import { createActor } from 'xstate';
import { waitForSpawn, waitForSnapshot } from 'xstate-audition';
import { describe, it } from 'node:test';
import { strict as assert } from 'node:assert';
describe('parent-child communication', () => {
it('should spawn child and communicate', async () => {
const parent = createActor(parentMachine);
// Wait for child to spawn (parent stays running)
const child = await waitForSpawn<typeof childLogic>(
parent,
'childActor'
);
assert.ok(child);
assert.equal(child.id, 'childActor');
// Send event to child
child.send({ type: 'CHILD_EVENT' });
// Wait for parent to react to child's output
const parentSnapshot = await waitForSnapshot(
parent,
(snapshot) => snapshot.matches('parentReacted')
);
assert.ok(parentSnapshot.matches('parentReacted'));
});
});
\`\`\`
Key points:
- Use `waitForSpawn()` not `runUntilSpawn()` to keep parent running
- Provide type argument `<typeof childLogic>` for proper typing
- Parent stays alive so you can continue testing interactions
Without context:
User: /audition
Agent: I can help you test XState v5 actors with xstate-audition! What do you need to test?
Common testing scenarios:
- **State transitions** - Test explicit state changes with `runUntilTransition()`
- **Promise actors** - Test async operations with `runUntilDone()`
- **Event emissions** - Test emitted events with `runUntilEmitted()`
- **Actor spawning** - Test child actors with `runUntilSpawn()` / `waitForSpawn()`
- **Complex conditions** - Test multiple conditions with `runUntilSnapshot()`
- **Event communication** - Test inter-actor events with `runUntilEventReceived()`
- **Timeout handling** - Test with custom timeouts using `*With()` functions
- **Integration tests** - Test complete actor systems with `waitFor*()` functions
You can also:
- Paste your existing test code for review
- Ask about specific xstate-audition functions
- Request help debugging timeout issues
- Learn about currying patterns for cleaner tests
Core testing pattern:
1. Create actor with `createActor(logic)`
2. Create promise with condition (e.g., `runUntilDone(actor)`)
3. If actor needs input, send events BEFORE awaiting
4. Await the promise
5. Make assertions
Key distinction:
- `runUntil*()` - stops actor after condition
- `waitFor*()` - keeps actor running
What would you like to test?