rspec-coder
Write RSpec tests for Ruby and Rails applications. Use when creating spec files, writing test cases, or testing new features. Not for Minitest — use minitest-coder instead. Covers RSpec syntax, describe/context organization, subject/let patterns, fixtures, mocking with allow/expect, and shoulda matchers.
What this skill does
# RSpec Coder
## Core Philosophy
- **AAA Pattern**: Arrange-Act-Assert structure for clarity
- **Behavior over Implementation**: Test what code does, not how
- **Isolation**: Tests should be independent
- **Descriptive Names**: Blocks should clearly explain behavior
- **Coverage**: Test happy paths AND edge cases
- **Fast Tests**: Minimize database operations
- **Fixtures**: Use fixtures for common data setup
- **Shoulda Matchers**: Use for validations and associations
## Critical Conventions
### ❌ Don't Add `require 'rails_helper'`
RSpec imports via `.rspec` config. Adding manually is redundant.
```ruby
# ✅ GOOD - no require needed
RSpec.describe User do
# ...
end
```
### ❌ Don't Add Redundant Spec Type
RSpec infers type from file location automatically.
```ruby
# ✅ GOOD - type inferred from spec/models/ location
RSpec.describe User do
# ...
end
```
### ✅ Use Namespace WITHOUT Leading `::`
```ruby
# ✅ GOOD - no leading double colons
RSpec.describe DynamicsGp::ERPSynchronizer do
# ...
end
```
## Test Organization
### File Structure
- `spec/models/` - Model unit tests
- `spec/services/` - Service object tests
- `spec/controllers/` - Controller tests
- `spec/requests/` - Request specs (API testing)
- `spec/mailers/` - Mailer tests
- `spec/jobs/` - Background job tests
- `spec/fixtures/` - Test data
- `spec/support/` - Helper modules and shared examples
- `spec/rails_helper.rb` - Rails-specific configuration
### Using `describe` and `context`
| Block | Purpose | Example |
|-------|---------|---------|
| `describe` | Groups by method/class | `describe "#process"` |
| `context` | Groups by condition | `context "when user is admin"` |
```ruby
RSpec.describe OrderProcessor do
describe "#process" do
context "with valid payment" do
# success tests
end
context "with invalid payment" do
# failure tests
end
end
end
```
## Subject and Let
See [references/patterns.md](references/patterns.md) for detailed examples.
| Pattern | Use Case |
|---------|----------|
| `subject(:name) { ... }` | Primary object/method under test |
| `let(:name) { ... }` | Lazy-evaluated, memoized data |
| `let!(:name) { ... }` | Eager evaluation (before each test) |
```ruby
RSpec.describe User do
describe "#full_name" do
subject(:full_name) { user.full_name }
let(:user) { users(:alice) }
it { is_expected.to eq("Alice Smith") }
end
end
```
## Fixtures
See [references/patterns.md](references/patterns.md) for detailed examples.
```yaml
# spec/fixtures/users.yml
alice:
name: Alice Smith
email: [email protected]
admin: false
```
```ruby
RSpec.describe User do
fixtures :users
it "validates email" do
expect(users(:alice)).to be_valid
end
end
```
## Mocking and Stubbing
See [references/patterns.md](references/patterns.md) for detailed examples.
| Method | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| `allow(obj).to receive(:method)` | Stub return value |
| `expect(obj).to receive(:method)` | Verify call happens |
```ruby
# Stubbing external service
allow(PaymentGateway).to receive(:charge).and_return(true)
# Verifying method called
expect(UserMailer).to receive(:welcome_email).with(user)
```
## Matchers Quick Reference
See [references/matchers.md](references/matchers.md) for complete reference.
### Essential Matchers
```ruby
# Equality
expect(value).to eq(expected)
# Truthiness
expect(obj).to be_valid
expect(obj).to be_truthy
# Change
expect { action }.to change { obj.status }.to("completed")
expect { action }.to change(Model, :count).by(1)
# Errors
expect { action }.to raise_error(SomeError)
# Collections
expect(array).to include(item)
expect(array).to be_empty
```
### Shoulda Matchers
```ruby
# Validations
it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:name) }
it { is_expected.to validate_uniqueness_of(:email) }
# Associations
it { is_expected.to have_many(:posts) }
it { is_expected.to belong_to(:account) }
```
## AAA Pattern
Structure all tests as Arrange-Act-Assert:
```ruby
describe "#process_refund" do
subject(:process_refund) { processor.process_refund }
let(:order) { orders(:completed_order) }
let(:processor) { described_class.new(order) }
it "updates order status" do
process_refund # Act
expect(order.reload.status).to eq("refunded") # Assert
end
it "credits user account" do
expect { process_refund } # Act
.to change { order.user.reload.account_balance } # Assert
.by(order.total)
end
end
```
## Test Coverage Standards
### What to Test
| Type | Test For |
|------|----------|
| Models | Validations, associations, scopes, callbacks, methods |
| Services | Happy path, sad path, edge cases, external integrations |
| Controllers | Status codes, response formats, auth, redirects |
| Jobs | Execution, retry logic, error handling, idempotency |
### Coverage Example
```ruby
RSpec.describe User do
fixtures :users
describe "validations" do
subject(:user) { users(:valid_user) }
it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:name) }
it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:email) }
it { is_expected.to validate_uniqueness_of(:email).case_insensitive }
end
describe "associations" do
it { is_expected.to have_many(:posts).dependent(:destroy) }
end
describe "#full_name" do
subject(:full_name) { user.full_name }
let(:user) { User.new(first_name: "Alice", last_name: "Smith") }
it { is_expected.to eq("Alice Smith") }
context "when last name is missing" do
let(:user) { User.new(first_name: "Alice") }
it { is_expected.to eq("Alice") }
end
end
end
```
## Anti-Patterns
See [references/anti-patterns.md](references/anti-patterns.md) for detailed examples.
| Anti-Pattern | Why Bad |
|--------------|---------|
| `require 'rails_helper'` | Redundant, loaded via .rspec |
| `type: :model` | Redundant, inferred from location |
| Leading `::` in namespace | Violates RuboCop style |
| Empty test bodies | False confidence |
| Testing private methods | Couples to implementation |
| Not using fixtures | Slow tests |
| Not using shoulda | Verbose validation tests |
## Best Practices Checklist
**Critical Conventions**:
- [ ] NOT adding `require 'rails_helper'`
- [ ] NOT adding redundant spec type
- [ ] Using namespace WITHOUT leading `::`
**Test Organization**:
- [ ] `describe` for methods/classes
- [ ] `context` for conditions
- [ ] Max 3 levels nesting
**Test Data**:
- [ ] Using fixtures (not factories)
- [ ] Using `let` for lazy data
- [ ] Using `subject` for method under test
**Assertions**:
- [ ] Shoulda matchers for validations
- [ ] Shoulda matchers for associations
- [ ] `change` matcher for state changes
**Coverage**:
- [ ] Happy path tested
- [ ] Sad path tested
- [ ] Edge cases covered
## Quick Reference
```ruby
# Minimal spec file
RSpec.describe User do
fixtures :users
describe "#full_name" do
subject(:full_name) { user.full_name }
let(:user) { users(:alice) }
it { is_expected.to eq("Alice Smith") }
end
describe "validations" do
subject(:user) { users(:alice) }
it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:name) }
it { is_expected.to have_many(:posts) }
end
end
```
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