Vitest Testing Skill

When to Use

Use this skill when you need generates Vitest tests in JavaScript/TypeScript with Vite-native speed. Jest-compatible API with ESM support and HMR. Use when user mentions "Vitest", "vi.mock", "vitest.config". Triggers on: "Vitest", "vi.mock", "vi.fn", "Vite test", "vitest config".

Core Patterns

Basic Test

typescript
import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
import { Calculator } from './calculator';

describe('Calculator', () => {
  let calc: Calculator;
  beforeEach(() => { calc = new Calculator(); });

  it('adds two numbers', () => {
    expect(calc.add(2, 3)).toBe(5);
  });

  it('throws on divide by zero', () => {
    expect(() => calc.divide(10, 0)).toThrow();
  });
});

Mocking (vi instead of jest)

typescript
import { vi } from 'vitest';

// Mock module
vi.mock('./database', () => ({
  getUser: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ name: 'Alice' }),
  saveUser: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),
}));

// Mock function
const mockFn = vi.fn();
mockFn.mockReturnValue(42);
mockFn.mockResolvedValue({ data: 'test' });

// Spy
const spy = vi.spyOn(console, 'log').mockImplementation(() => {});
expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('message');
spy.mockRestore();

// Timers
vi.useFakeTimers();
vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
vi.runAllTimers();
vi.useRealTimers();

In-Source Testing

typescript
// src/math.ts — tests alongside code!
export function add(a: number, b: number) { return a + b; }
export function multiply(a: number, b: number) { return a * b; }

if (import.meta.vitest) {
  const { it, expect } = import.meta.vitest;
  it('adds', () => { expect(add(2, 3)).toBe(5); });
  it('multiplies', () => { expect(multiply(3, 4)).toBe(12); });
}

Snapshot Testing

typescript
it('serializes user', () => {
  expect(serializeUser(user)).toMatchSnapshot();
});

it('inline snapshot', () => {
  expect(serializeUser(user)).toMatchInlineSnapshot(`
    { "name": "Alice", "email": "alice@test.com" }
  `);
});

React Component Testing

typescript
import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
import Button from './Button';

describe('Button', () => {
  it('renders with label', () => {
    render(<Button label="Click me" />);
    expect(screen.getByText('Click me')).toBeDefined();
  });
});

Anti-Patterns

| Bad | Good | Why | |-----|------|-----| | jest.fn() | vi.fn() | Vitest uses vi | | jest.mock() | vi.mock() | Different namespace | | No type safety | TypeScript + strict | Vitest is TS-first |

Quick Reference

| Task | Command | |------|---------| | Run once | npx vitest run | | Watch | npx vitest (default) | | UI | npx vitest --ui | | Coverage | npx vitest --coverage | | Specific file | npx vitest run src/math.test.ts | | Filter | npx vitest run -t "adds" |

vitest.config.ts

typescript
import { defineConfig } from 'vitest/config';
export default defineConfig({
  test: {
    globals: true,
    environment: 'jsdom',
    coverage: { provider: 'v8', reporter: ['text', 'html'] },
    include: ['src/**/*.{test,spec}.{js,ts,tsx}'],
    includeSource: ['src/**/*.{js,ts}'],
  },
});

Deep Patterns → reference/playbook.md

| § | Section | Lines | |---|---------|-------| | 1 | Production Configuration | Config, workspace, setup file | | 2 | Mocking Patterns | vi.mock, spies, timers, fetch | | 3 | React Testing Library | Components, hooks, providers | | 4 | Snapshot & Inline Snapshots | File, inline, serializers | | 5 | Table-Driven Tests | test.each, describe.each | | 6 | In-Source Testing | Co-located tests in source | | 7 | API / Integration Testing | Server tests with fetch | | 8 | CI/CD Integration | GitHub Actions, scripts | | 9 | Debugging Quick-Reference | 10 common problems | | 10 | Best Practices Checklist | 13 items |

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
• Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
• Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.