Unit Test Generator

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Generates unit tests for command and query handlers using xUnit and NSubstitute. Implements Arrange-Act-Assert pattern with comprehensive test coverage for success and failure scenarios.

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What this skill tells your AI

The instructions your AI receives, as published by ronnythedev/dotnet-clean-architecture-skills in skills/21-dotnet-unit-testing/SKILL.md and read by ahel’s review.

Overview

Unit tests for Clean Architecture handlers:

  • xUnit - Test framework
  • NSubstitute - Mocking library
  • FluentAssertions - Readable assertions
  • AAA pattern - Arrange, Act, Assert

Quick Reference

Test TypePurposeExample
Success testVerify happy pathShould_ReturnSuccess_When_ValidRequest
Failure testVerify error handlingShould_ReturnFailure_When_NotFound
Validation testVerify input validationShould_ReturnValidationError_When_EmptyName
Behavior testVerify side effectsShould_CallRepository_When_ValidRequest

Test Project Structure

tests/
└── {name}.Application.UnitTests/
    ├── {Feature}/
    │   ├── Create{Entity}/
    │   │   ├── Create{Entity}CommandHandlerTests.cs
    │   │   └── Create{Entity}CommandValidatorTests.cs
    │   └── Get{Entity}ById/
    │       └── Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandlerTests.cs
    ├── Abstractions/
    │   └── BaseTest.cs
    └── {name}.Application.UnitTests.csproj

Template: Test Project File

<!-- tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/{name}.Application.UnitTests.csproj -->
<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>net8.0</TargetFramework>
    <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
    <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
    <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>
    <IsTestProject>true</IsTestProject>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <PackageReference Include="FluentAssertions" Version="6.12.0" />
    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.NET.Test.Sdk" Version="17.8.0" />
    <PackageReference Include="NSubstitute" Version="5.1.0" />
    <PackageReference Include="NSubstitute.Analyzers.CSharp" Version="1.0.16">
      <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>
      <IncludeAssets>runtime; build; native; contentfiles; analyzers</IncludeAssets>
    </PackageReference>
    <PackageReference Include="xunit" Version="2.6.2" />
    <PackageReference Include="xunit.runner.visualstudio" Version="2.5.4">
      <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>
      <IncludeAssets>runtime; build; native; contentfiles; analyzers</IncludeAssets>
    </PackageReference>
    <PackageReference Include="coverlet.collector" Version="6.0.0">
      <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>
      <IncludeAssets>runtime; build; native; contentfiles; analyzers</IncludeAssets>
    </PackageReference>
  </ItemGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <ProjectReference Include="..\..\src\{name}.application\{name}.application.csproj" />
    <ProjectReference Include="..\..\src\{name}.domain\{name}.domain.csproj" />
  </ItemGroup>

</Project>

Template: Base Test Class

// tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/Abstractions/BaseTest.cs
using NSubstitute;
using {name}.domain.abstractions;

namespace {name}.Application.UnitTests.Abstractions;

public abstract class BaseTest
{
    protected static CancellationToken CancellationToken => CancellationToken.None;

    /// <summary>
    /// Creates a mock that returns the provided result
    /// </summary>
    protected static T CreateMock<T>() where T : class
    {
        return Substitute.For<T>();
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Helper to create a successful Result
    /// </summary>
    protected static Result<T> SuccessResult<T>(T value)
    {
        return Result.Success(value);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Helper to create a failed Result
    /// </summary>
    protected static Result<T> FailureResult<T>(Error error)
    {
        return Result.Failure<T>(error);
    }
}

Template: Command Handler Tests

// tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/{Feature}/Create{Entity}/Create{Entity}CommandHandlerTests.cs
using FluentAssertions;
using NSubstitute;
using {name}.application.{feature}.Create{Entity};
using {name}.domain.{aggregate};
using {name}.domain.abstractions;
using {name}.Application.UnitTests.Abstractions;

namespace {name}.Application.UnitTests.{Feature}.Create{Entity};

public sealed class Create{Entity}CommandHandlerTests : BaseTest
{
    private readonly I{Entity}Repository _{entity}Repository;
    private readonly IUnitOfWork _unitOfWork;
    private readonly Create{Entity}CommandHandler _handler;

    public Create{Entity}CommandHandlerTests()
    {
        // Arrange - Setup mocks (runs before each test)
        _{entity}Repository = CreateMock<I{Entity}Repository>();
        _unitOfWork = CreateMock<IUnitOfWork>();

        _handler = new Create{Entity}CommandHandler(
            _{entity}Repository,
            _unitOfWork);
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // SUCCESS TESTS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_ReturnSuccess_When_ValidRequest()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Test Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns((Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}?)null);

        // Act
        var result = await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        result.IsSuccess.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Value.Should().NotBeEmpty();
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_AddEntity_When_ValidRequest()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Test Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns((Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}?)null);

        // Act
        await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        _{entity}Repository
            .Received(1)
            .Add(Arg.Is<Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}>(e =>
                e.Name == command.Name &&
                e.OrganizationId == command.OrganizationId));
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_CallSaveChanges_When_ValidRequest()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Test Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns((Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}?)null);

        // Act
        await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        await _unitOfWork
            .Received(1)
            .SaveChangesAsync(CancellationToken);
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // FAILURE TESTS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_ReturnFailure_When_NameAlreadyExists()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Existing Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        var existing{Entity} = CreateTest{Entity}(command.Name);

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns(existing{Entity});

        // Act
        var result = await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        result.IsFailure.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Error.Should().Be({Entity}Errors.NameAlreadyExists);
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_NotAddEntity_When_NameAlreadyExists()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Existing Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        var existing{Entity} = CreateTest{Entity}(command.Name);

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns(existing{Entity});

        // Act
        await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        _{entity}Repository
            .DidNotReceive()
            .Add(Arg.Any<Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}>());
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_NotCallSaveChanges_When_NameAlreadyExists()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Existing Entity",
            Description: "Test Description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        var existing{Entity} = CreateTest{Entity}(command.Name);

        _{entity}Repository
            .GetByNameAsync(command.Name, CancellationToken)
            .Returns(existing{Entity});

        // Act
        await _handler.Handle(command, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        await _unitOfWork
            .DidNotReceive()
            .SaveChangesAsync(Arg.Any<CancellationToken>());
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // HELPER METHODS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    private static Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity} CreateTest{Entity}(string name)
    {
        // Use reflection or internal factory for testing
        // This assumes the entity has a factory method
        var result = Domain.{Aggregate}.{Entity}.Create(
            name,
            "Description",
            Guid.NewGuid());

        return result.Value;
    }
}

Template: Query Handler Tests

// tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/{Feature}/Get{Entity}ById/Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandlerTests.cs
using FluentAssertions;
using NSubstitute;
using {name}.application.{feature}.Get{Entity}ById;
using {name}.application.abstractions.data;
using {name}.Application.UnitTests.Abstractions;

namespace {name}.Application.UnitTests.{Feature}.Get{Entity}ById;

public sealed class Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandlerTests : BaseTest
{
    private readonly ISqlConnectionFactory _sqlConnectionFactory;
    private readonly Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandler _handler;

    public Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandlerTests()
    {
        _sqlConnectionFactory = CreateMock<ISqlConnectionFactory>();
        _handler = new Get{Entity}ByIdQueryHandler(_sqlConnectionFactory);
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_ReturnSuccess_When_EntityExists()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entityId = Guid.NewGuid();
        var query = new Get{Entity}ByIdQuery(entityId);

        var expected = new {Entity}Response
        {
            Id = entityId,
            Name = "Test Entity",
            Description = "Description"
        };

        // Setup Dapper mock (simplified - in practice, mock IDbConnection)
        SetupConnectionToReturn(expected);

        // Act
        var result = await _handler.Handle(query, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        result.IsSuccess.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Value.Id.Should().Be(entityId);
    }

    [Fact]
    public async Task Handle_Should_ReturnFailure_When_EntityNotFound()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entityId = Guid.NewGuid();
        var query = new Get{Entity}ByIdQuery(entityId);

        SetupConnectionToReturn(null);

        // Act
        var result = await _handler.Handle(query, CancellationToken);

        // Assert
        result.IsFailure.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Error.Should().Be({Entity}Errors.NotFound);
    }

    private void SetupConnectionToReturn({Entity}Response? response)
    {
        // In practice, you'd use a library like Dapper.Contrib.Tests
        // or create a test double for IDbConnection
        // This is a simplified example
    }
}

Template: Validator Tests

// tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/{Feature}/Create{Entity}/Create{Entity}CommandValidatorTests.cs
using FluentAssertions;
using FluentValidation.TestHelper;
using {name}.application.{feature}.Create{Entity};
using {name}.Application.UnitTests.Abstractions;

namespace {name}.Application.UnitTests.{Feature}.Create{Entity};

public sealed class Create{Entity}CommandValidatorTests : BaseTest
{
    private readonly Create{Entity}CommandValidator _validator;

    public Create{Entity}CommandValidatorTests()
    {
        _validator = new Create{Entity}CommandValidator();
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // NAME VALIDATION
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void Validate_Should_HaveError_When_NameIsEmpty()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: string.Empty,
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldHaveValidationErrorFor(x => x.Name)
            .WithErrorMessage("{Entity} name is required");
    }

    [Fact]
    public void Validate_Should_HaveError_When_NameTooLong()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: new string('a', 101),  // Exceeds 100 char limit
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldHaveValidationErrorFor(x => x.Name)
            .WithErrorMessage("{Entity} name must not exceed 100 characters");
    }

    [Theory]
    [InlineData("A")]
    [InlineData("Valid Name")]
    [InlineData("Name with 100 characters padded................................")]
    public void Validate_Should_NotHaveError_When_NameIsValid(string name)
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: name,
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldNotHaveValidationErrorFor(x => x.Name);
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // ORGANIZATION ID VALIDATION
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void Validate_Should_HaveError_When_OrganizationIdIsEmpty()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Valid Name",
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.Empty);

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldHaveValidationErrorFor(x => x.OrganizationId);
    }

    [Fact]
    public void Validate_Should_NotHaveError_When_OrganizationIdIsValid()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Valid Name",
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldNotHaveValidationErrorFor(x => x.OrganizationId);
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // FULL VALIDATION
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void Validate_Should_BeValid_When_AllFieldsAreValid()
    {
        // Arrange
        var command = new Create{Entity}Command(
            Name: "Valid Name",
            Description: "Valid description",
            OrganizationId: Guid.NewGuid());

        // Act
        var result = _validator.TestValidate(command);

        // Assert
        result.ShouldNotHaveAnyValidationErrors();
    }
}

Template: Domain Entity Tests

// tests/{name}.Domain.UnitTests/{Aggregate}/{Entity}Tests.cs
using FluentAssertions;
using {name}.domain.{aggregate};
using {name}.domain.{aggregate}.events;

namespace {name}.Domain.UnitTests.{Aggregate};

public sealed class {Entity}Tests
{
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // CREATE TESTS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void Create_Should_ReturnSuccess_When_ValidParameters()
    {
        // Arrange
        var name = "Test Entity";
        var description = "Test Description";
        var organizationId = Guid.NewGuid();

        // Act
        var result = {Entity}.Create(name, description, organizationId);

        // Assert
        result.IsSuccess.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Value.Name.Should().Be(name);
        result.Value.OrganizationId.Should().Be(organizationId);
        result.Value.IsActive.Should().BeTrue();
    }

    [Fact]
    public void Create_Should_ReturnFailure_When_NameIsEmpty()
    {
        // Arrange
        var name = string.Empty;
        var description = "Test Description";
        var organizationId = Guid.NewGuid();

        // Act
        var result = {Entity}.Create(name, description, organizationId);

        // Assert
        result.IsFailure.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Error.Should().Be({Entity}Errors.NameRequired);
    }

    [Fact]
    public void Create_Should_RaiseDomainEvent_When_Success()
    {
        // Arrange
        var name = "Test Entity";
        var description = "Test Description";
        var organizationId = Guid.NewGuid();

        // Act
        var result = {Entity}.Create(name, description, organizationId);

        // Assert
        result.Value.GetDomainEvents()
            .Should().ContainSingle()
            .Which.Should().BeOfType<{Entity}CreatedDomainEvent>();
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // UPDATE TESTS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void UpdateName_Should_ReturnSuccess_When_ValidName()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entity = Create{Entity}();
        var newName = "Updated Name";

        // Act
        var result = entity.UpdateName(newName);

        // Assert
        result.IsSuccess.Should().BeTrue();
        entity.Name.Should().Be(newName);
    }

    [Fact]
    public void UpdateName_Should_ReturnFailure_When_EmptyName()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entity = Create{Entity}();

        // Act
        var result = entity.UpdateName(string.Empty);

        // Assert
        result.IsFailure.Should().BeTrue();
        result.Error.Should().Be({Entity}Errors.NameRequired);
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // DEACTIVATE TESTS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    [Fact]
    public void Deactivate_Should_SetIsActiveToFalse()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entity = Create{Entity}();
        entity.IsActive.Should().BeTrue();

        // Act
        entity.Deactivate();

        // Assert
        entity.IsActive.Should().BeFalse();
    }

    [Fact]
    public void Deactivate_Should_RaiseDomainEvent()
    {
        // Arrange
        var entity = Create{Entity}();
        entity.ClearDomainEvents();  // Clear create event

        // Act
        entity.Deactivate();

        // Assert
        entity.GetDomainEvents()
            .Should().ContainSingle()
            .Which.Should().BeOfType<{Entity}DeactivatedDomainEvent>();
    }

    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
    // HELPER METHODS
    // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

    private static {Entity} Create{Entity}()
    {
        var result = {Entity}.Create(
            "Test Entity",
            "Test Description",
            Guid.NewGuid());

        return result.Value;
    }
}

Template: Test Data Builders

// tests/{name}.Application.UnitTests/TestData/{Entity}Builder.cs
using {name}.application.{feature}.Create{Entity};

namespace {name}.Application.UnitTests.TestData;

public sealed class {Entity}CommandBuilder
{
    private string _name = "Default Name";
    private string _description = "Default Description";
    private Guid _organizationId = Guid.NewGuid();

    public {Entity}CommandBuilder WithName(string name)
    {
        _name = name;
        return this;
    }

    public {Entity}CommandBuilder WithDescription(string description)
    {
        _description = description;
        return this;
    }

    public {Entity}CommandBuilder WithOrganizationId(Guid organizationId)
    {
        _organizationId = organizationId;
        return this;
    }

    public Create{Entity}Command Build()
    {
        return new Create{Entity}Command(_name, _description, _organizationId);
    }
}

// Usage in tests:
// var command = new {Entity}CommandBuilder()
//     .WithName("Custom Name")
//     .Build();

NSubstitute Quick Reference

// Create mock
var repository = Substitute.For<IRepository>();

// Setup return value
repository.GetByIdAsync(Arg.Any<Guid>(), Arg.Any<CancellationToken>())
    .Returns(entity);

// Setup return null
repository.GetByIdAsync(entityId, CancellationToken)
    .Returns((Entity?)null);

// Verify method was called
repository.Received(1).Add(Arg.Any<Entity>());

// Verify method was NOT called
repository.DidNotReceive().Add(Arg.Any<Entity>());

// Verify with argument matching
repository.Received().Add(Arg.Is<Entity>(e => e.Name == "Test"));

// Verify call order (advanced)
Received.InOrder(() =>
{
    repository.Add(Arg.Any<Entity>());
    unitOfWork.SaveChangesAsync(CancellationToken);
});

// Setup to throw exception
repository.GetByIdAsync(Arg.Any<Guid>(), Arg.Any<CancellationToken>())
    .ThrowsAsync(new Exception("Database error"));

FluentAssertions Quick Reference

// Basic assertions
result.Should().BeTrue();
result.Should().BeFalse();
result.Should().BeNull();
result.Should().NotBeNull();

// Equality
result.Should().Be(expected);
result.Should().NotBe(unexpected);
result.Should().BeEquivalentTo(expected);

// Collections
list.Should().BeEmpty();
list.Should().NotBeEmpty();
list.Should().HaveCount(3);
list.Should().Contain(item);
list.Should().ContainSingle();
list.Should().ContainSingle().Which.Should().BeOfType<MyType>();

// Types
result.Should().BeOfType<MyType>();
result.Should().BeAssignableTo<IMyInterface>();

// Strings
name.Should().StartWith("Test");
name.Should().Contain("Entity");
name.Should().BeNullOrEmpty();

// Exceptions
action.Should().Throw<InvalidOperationException>()
    .WithMessage("*not found*");

action.Should().NotThrow();

// Result pattern
result.IsSuccess.Should().BeTrue();
result.Error.Should().Be(ExpectedError);

Critical Rules

  1. One assert concept per test - Focus on single behavior
  2. Descriptive test names - Should_{ExpectedBehavior}_When_{Condition}
  3. Arrange-Act-Assert - Clear structure in every test
  4. Mock only dependencies - Don't mock the SUT
  5. Test behavior, not implementation - Focus on outcomes
  6. Use Theory for data-driven tests - Avoid duplicate test logic
  7. Test edge cases - Empty, null, boundaries
  8. Fast tests - No I/O, no database
  9. Independent tests - No shared state
  10. Meaningful assertions - Test what matters

Coverage Discipline: State, Lifecycles, and Boundaries

These four rules catch the class of bug where a handler silently ignores a value of a discriminator field that another handler in the system is producing. Testing the handler against every status value in isolation is not enough — you have to round-trip through the producer.

1. Discriminator-field matrix is mandatory, not optional

Shortened here. Read the whole file on GitHub.

Signals

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Last commit
Jul 2026
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Source
github.com/ronnythedev/dotnet-clean-architecture-skills