How do I run tests in Laravel? (php artisan test)
Jun 13, 2025 am 12:02 AMTo run tests in Laravel effectively, use the php artisan test command which simplifies PHPUnit usage. 1. Set up a .env.testing file and configure phpunit.xml to use a test database like SQLite. 2. Generate test files using php artisan make:test, using --unit for unit tests. 3. Write tests with methods starting with test\_ or @test annotation. 4. Run all tests with php artisan test or specify files, directories, or filters. 5. Handle failures by ensuring proper seeding, clearing caches, and verifying environment files. Each test should be independent to avoid conflicts.
Running tests in Laravel is straightforward, especially with the built-in php artisan test
command. It wraps PHPUnit and gives you a more Laravel-friendly way to run your test suite without typing out the full PHPUnit command.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Setting Up Your Test Environment
Before running tests, make sure your environment is set up correctly. Laravel uses a separate .env.testing
file for testing configurations. This helps isolate test-specific settings like database connections or fake API keys.
- Create a
.env.testing
file by copying your.env
file and adjusting values. - In
phpunit.xml
, ensure theDB_CONNECTION
is set to something likesqlite
or a dedicated test database. - You can also use an in-memory SQLite database by setting
DB_DATABASE=:memory:
in.env.testing
.
This setup prevents your tests from messing with your development or production data.
Writing Tests the Laravel Way
Laravel provides a simple Artisan command to generate test files:
php artisan make:test ExampleTest
By default, this creates a test class in the tests/Feature
directory. Feature tests are for testing full HTTP requests and responses.
If you're writing unit tests (like testing a single method in a class), add the --unit
flag:
php artisan make:test ExampleUnitTest --unit
Each test method should start with test_
, or you can use the @test
annotation in the docblock.
A basic test might look like this:
public function test_homepage_can_be_rendered() { $response = $this->get('/'); $response->assertStatus(200); }
This checks that the homepage returns a 200 OK response.
Running Tests with php artisan test
Once your tests are written, just run:
php artisan test
This will execute all tests in the tests/Feature
and tests/Unit
directories using PHPUnit behind the scenes.
You can also be more specific:
- Run only one test file:
php artisan test tests/Feature/ExampleTest.php
- Run tests in a specific directory:
php artisan test tests/Feature/Admin
- Filter tests by name:
php artisan test --filter test_homepage_can_be_rendered
The output shows which tests passed or failed, along with any error messages or assertions that didn’t match.
Handling Common Issues
Sometimes tests fail for unexpected reasons. Here are a few common gotchas:
- Database seeding: If your test relies on data, consider using model factories or seeders.
- Caching issues: Sometimes config or route caching can interfere. Clear them if things feel off.
-
Environment mismatch: Make sure your
.env.testing
is being used and not your regular.env
.
Also, remember that each test should be independent. Don’t rely on state from previous tests unless you explicitly set it up.
If you're seeing strange behavior, try running a single test at a time to isolate the issue.
And that's basically it —
php artisan test
handles most of the heavy lifting. Just write your tests, set up your environment properly, and let Laravel do the rest.The above is the detailed content of How do I run tests in Laravel? (php artisan test). For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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