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name: react-testing-library description: React Testing Library best practices for writing maintainable, user-centric tests. Use when writing, reviewing, or refactoring RTL tests. Triggers on test files, testing patterns, getBy/queryBy queries, userEvent, waitFor, and component testing.

React Testing Library Best Practices

Comprehensive testing guide for React components using Testing Library, designed for AI agents and LLMs. Contains 43 rules across 9 categories, prioritized by impact to guide test writing and code review.

When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:

• Writing new component tests with React Testing Library
• Selecting queries (getByRole, getByLabelText, etc.)
• Handling async operations in tests (findBy, waitFor)
• Simulating user interactions (userEvent)
• Reviewing tests for anti-patterns and implementation detail testing

Rule Categories by Priority

Priority	Category	Impact	Prefix
1	Query Selection	CRITICAL	query-
2	Async Handling	CRITICAL	async-
3	Common Anti-Patterns	CRITICAL	anti-
4	User Interaction	HIGH	user-
5	Assertions	HIGH	assert-
6	Component Setup	MEDIUM	setup-
7	Test Structure	MEDIUM	struct-
8	Debugging	LOW-MEDIUM	debug-
9	Accessibility Testing	LOW	a11y-

Quick Reference

1. Query Selection (CRITICAL)

• query-prefer-role - Prefer getByRole over other queries
• query-avoid-testid - Avoid getByTestId as primary query
• query-use-screen - Use screen for queries
• query-label-text-forms - Use getByLabelText for form fields
• query-role-name-option - Use name option with getByRole
• query-get-vs-query - Use getBy for present, queryBy for absent
• query-within-scope - Use within() to scope queries

2. Async Handling (CRITICAL)

• async-findby-over-waitfor - Use findBy instead of waitFor + getBy
• async-await-findby - Always await findBy queries
• async-single-assertion-waitfor - Single assertion in waitFor
• async-no-side-effects-waitfor - Avoid side effects in waitFor
• async-waitfor-disappear - Use waitForElementToBeRemoved

3. Common Anti-Patterns (CRITICAL)

• anti-unnecessary-act - Avoid unnecessary act() wrapping
• anti-manual-cleanup - Remove manual cleanup calls
• anti-implementation-details - Avoid testing implementation details
• anti-empty-waitfor - Avoid empty waitFor callbacks
• anti-container-queries - Avoid using container for queries
• anti-redundant-roles - Avoid adding redundant ARIA roles

4. User Interaction (HIGH)

• user-prefer-userevent - Use userEvent over fireEvent
• user-setup-before-render - Setup userEvent before render
• user-await-interactions - Always await userEvent interactions
• user-keyboard-for-special-keys - Use keyboard() for special keys
• user-clear-before-type - Use clear() before retyping

5. Assertions (HIGH)

• assert-jest-dom-matchers - Use jest-dom matchers
• assert-visible-over-in-document - Use toBeVisible() for visibility
• assert-text-content - Use toHaveTextContent() for text
• assert-have-value - Use toHaveValue() for inputs
• assert-accessible-description - Use toHaveAccessibleDescription()

6. Component Setup (MEDIUM)

• setup-wrapper-providers - Use wrapper option for providers
• setup-custom-render - Create custom render with providers
• setup-mock-modules - Mock modules at module level
• setup-fake-timers - Configure userEvent with fake timers
• setup-render-hook - Use renderHook for testing hooks

7. Test Structure (MEDIUM)

• struct-arrange-act-assert - Follow Arrange-Act-Assert pattern
• struct-one-behavior-per-test - Test one behavior per test
• struct-descriptive-names - Use descriptive test names
• struct-avoid-beforeeach-render - Avoid render() in beforeEach

8. Debugging (LOW-MEDIUM)

• debug-screen-debug - Use screen.debug() to inspect DOM
• debug-logroles - Use logRoles to find available roles
• debug-testing-playground - Use Testing Playground for queries

9. Accessibility Testing (LOW)

• a11y-role-queries-verify - Role queries verify accessibility
• a11y-verify-focus - Test focus management
• a11y-test-aria-states - Test ARIA states and properties

How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

• Section definitions - Category structure and impact levels
• Rule template - Template for adding new rules

Reference Files

File	Description
references/_sections.md	Category definitions and ordering
assets/templates/_template.md	Template for new rules
metadata.json	Version and reference information