temporal-python-testing

SKILL.md

Temporal Python Testing Strategies

Comprehensive testing approaches for Temporal workflows using pytest, progressive disclosure resources for specific testing scenarios.

When to Use This Skill

Unit testing workflows - Fast tests with time-skipping

Integration testing - Workflows with mocked activities

Replay testing - Validate determinism against production histories

Local development - Set up Temporal server and pytest

CI/CD integration - Automated testing pipelines

Coverage strategies - Achieve ≥80% test coverage

Testing Philosophy

Recommended Approach (Source: docs.temporal.io/develop/python/testing-suite):

Write majority as integration tests

Use pytest with async fixtures

Time-skipping enables fast feedback (month-long workflows → seconds)

Mock activities to isolate workflow logic

Validate determinism with replay testing

Three Test Types:

Unit: Workflows with time-skipping, activities with ActivityEnvironment

Integration: Workers with mocked activities

End-to-end: Full Temporal server with real activities (use sparingly)

Available Resources

This skill provides detailed guidance through progressive disclosure. Load specific resources based on your testing needs:

Unit Testing Resources

File: resources/unit-testing.md
When to load: Testing individual workflows or activities in isolation
Contains:

WorkflowEnvironment with time-skipping

ActivityEnvironment for activity testing

Fast execution of long-running workflows

Manual time advancement patterns

pytest fixtures and patterns

Integration Testing Resources

File: resources/integration-testing.md
When to load: Testing workflows with mocked external dependencies
Contains:

Activity mocking strategies

Error injection patterns

Multi-activity workflow testing

Signal and query testing

Coverage strategies

Replay Testing Resources

File: resources/replay-testing.md
When to load: Validating determinism or deploying workflow changes
Contains:

Determinism validation

Production history replay

CI/CD integration patterns

Version compatibility testing

Local Development Resources

File: resources/local-setup.md
When to load: Setting up development environment
Contains:

Docker Compose configuration

pytest setup and configuration

Coverage tool integration

Development workflow

Quick Start Guide

Basic Workflow Test

import pytest
from temporalio.testing import WorkflowEnvironment
from temporalio.worker import Worker

@pytest.fixture
async def workflow_env():
    env = await WorkflowEnvironment.start_time_skipping()
    yield env
    await env.shutdown()

@pytest.mark.asyncio
async def test_workflow(workflow_env):
    async with Worker(
        workflow_env.client,
        task_queue="test-queue",
        workflows=[YourWorkflow],
        activities=[your_activity],
    ):
        result = await workflow_env.client.execute_workflow(
            YourWorkflow.run,
            args,
            id="test-wf-id",
            task_queue="test-queue",
        )
        assert result == expected

Basic Activity Test

from temporalio.testing import ActivityEnvironment

async def test_activity():
    env = ActivityEnvironment()
    result = await env.run(your_activity, "test-input")
    assert result == expected_output

Coverage Targets

Recommended Coverage (Source: docs.temporal.io best practices):

Workflows: ≥80% logic coverage

Activities: ≥80% logic coverage

Integration: Critical paths with mocked activities

Replay: All workflow versions before deployment

Key Testing Principles

Time-Skipping - Month-long workflows test in seconds

Mock Activities - Isolate workflow logic from external dependencies

Replay Testing - Validate determinism before deployment

High Coverage - ≥80% target for production workflows

Fast Feedback - Unit tests run in milliseconds

How to Use Resources

Load specific resource when needed:

"Show me unit testing patterns" → Load resources/unit-testing.md

"How do I mock activities?" → Load resources/integration-testing.md

"Setup local Temporal server" → Load resources/local-setup.md

"Validate determinism" → Load resources/replay-testing.md

Additional References

Python SDK Testing: docs.temporal.io/develop/python/testing-suite

Testing Patterns: github.com/temporalio/temporal/blob/main/docs/development/testing.md

Python Samples: github.com/temporalio/samples-python