Temporal Python Testing

# Temporal Python Testing Strategies

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

Do not use this skill when

- The task is unrelated to temporal python testing strategies

- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

Instructions

- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.

- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.

- Provide actionable steps and verification.

- If detailed examples are required, open `resources/implementation-playbook.md`.

Use this skill when

- **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**:

1. **Unit**: Workflows with time-skipping, activities with ActivityEnvironment

2. **Integration**: Workers with mocked activities

3. **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%