testing-workflow

.NET Testing Workflow

Purpose

Run and explain .NET tests without assuming one language owns the platform.

The stable command surface is dotnet test. The repository's existing test framework, project layout, SDK pin, and CI commands are the source of truth for how broad the check should be. For new scaffolds with no repo-local test framework, recommend xUnit as the default test template.

When To Use

• Use this skill when the user asks to run, add, debug, or explain .NET tests.
• Use this skill after changing F# or C# behavior.
• Use this skill when dotnet test fails and the failure needs triage.
• Use this skill when deciding whether to run project-level or solution-level tests.

Source Check

Use repo-local .NET files, checked-out dependency sources, Dash MCP or Dash HTTP for installed .NET docsets, and then official Microsoft documentation when Dash/local coverage is missing or stale:

• dotnet test documentation
• .NET CLI documentation
• F# documentation
• C# documentation
• Unit testing C# with xUnit and dotnet test

Inspect the repository before running broad checks:

rg --files -g '*.sln' -g '*.slnx' -g '*.fsproj' -g '*.csproj' -g 'global.json' -g 'Directory.Build.props'

Test Selection

Choose the narrowest useful test command first:

• changed test project: dotnet test path/to/Project.Tests.fsproj
• changed C# test project: dotnet test path/to/Project.Tests.csproj
• changed shared library used by many tests: dotnet test
• dependency or SDK issue: dotnet restore before dotnet test
• compile issue without tests: dotnet build

Use solution-level dotnet test before commit, push, PR, release, or any change that could affect multiple projects.

Test Framework Choice

Preserve the repository's current test framework in existing projects.

For new scaffolds without a repo-local convention, recommend xUnit:

dotnet new xunit --language "F#" --name MyLibrary.Tests --output tests/MyLibrary.Tests
dotnet new xunit --language "C#" --name MyLibrary.Tests --output tests/MyLibrary.Tests

The recommendation is a scaffold default, not a migration rule. Do not replace MSTest, NUnit, or another established test stack unless the user asks for that migration.

Failure Triage

Classify failures by phase:

• SDK selection
• restore
• build
• test discovery
• test execution
• logger or result output

Report:

• what command ran
• which project failed
• which phase failed
• the first meaningful error
• the likely cause
• the smallest next check

F# Test Notes

For F# tests:

• check .fsproj file ordering when test helpers or fixtures are added
• keep domain examples idiomatic F# instead of translated C#
• test pure transformations directly when possible
• keep async/task boundaries explicit in test code

C# Test Notes

For C# tests:

• respect nullable and analyzer behavior in test projects too
• avoid over-broad mocks when a small value-based test would prove the behavior
• keep async tests aligned with the framework's expected async pattern
• avoid suppressing warnings only in tests unless the suppression has a clear reason

Output Shape

Return:

1. Command: exact test command.
2. Scope: project, solution, or targeted filter.
3. Result: pass, fail, skipped, or blocked.
4. Failure phase: SDK, restore, build, discovery, execution, or output.
5. Next step: smallest useful fix or broader validation.

Guardrails

• Do not run multiple build or test toolchains concurrently.
• Do not replace an existing test framework with xUnit unless the user explicitly asks for that migration.
• Do not hide restore or build failures under a generic "tests failed" summary.
• Do not skip tests after behavior changes when a relevant test surface exists.
• Do not broaden to package publishing or release workflow unless the user explicitly asks.