Does this skill support the latest version of testthat?

Yes, it is specifically designed for testthat 3rd edition and later, implementing modern patterns such as local_mocked_bindings and waldo-powered comparisons.

Does it provide guidance on mocking external APIs?

Yes, it covers mocking strategies using local_mocked_bindings and refers to advanced tools like webfakes and httptest2 for web-related mocking.

Can I use this for behavior-driven development (BDD)?

Absolutely. The skill includes detailed patterns for using describe() and it() blocks to group and nest specifications for more readable test suites.

How does it handle side effects like temporary files or options?

It leverages the withr package to manage temporary state changes, ensuring that tests are self-contained and clean up after themselves automatically.

R Package Testing

Name: R Package Testing
Author: posit-dev

byposit-dev

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Security & Testing

Implements modern best practices for R package testing using testthat 3+ and behavior-driven development patterns.

About

This skill provides specialized guidance for writing, organizing, and optimizing R package tests using the latest testthat features. It covers advanced patterns like self-sufficient tests, proper side-effect cleanup with withr, snapshot testing for complex outputs, and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) using describe and it syntax. By following these patterns, users can ensure their R packages are robust, maintainable, and meet the high standards of the modern R ecosystem defined by Posit and r-lib.

Key Features

Side-effect management and state cleanup using withr
10 GitHub stars
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) patterns with describe() and it()
Mocking external dependencies and API calls
Snapshot testing for complex output and error message verification
Modern testthat 3rd edition syntax and expectations

Use Cases

Initializing a new testing suite for an R package using usethis workflow
Implementing automated testing for complex data structures and side effects
Refactoring legacy test suites to modern testthat 3 standards

About

Key Features

Side-effect management and state cleanup using withr
10 GitHub stars
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) patterns with describe() and it()
Mocking external dependencies and API calls
Snapshot testing for complex output and error message verification
Modern testthat 3rd edition syntax and expectations

Use Cases

Initializing a new testing suite for an R package using usethis workflow
Implementing automated testing for complex data structures and side effects
Refactoring legacy test suites to modern testthat 3 standards