temporal-python-testing

name: temporal-python-testing
description: Test Temporal workflows with pytest, time-skipping, and mocking strategies. Covers unit testing, integration testing, replay testing, and local development setup. Use when implementing Temporal workflow tests or debugging test failures.

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:

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% logic coverage
• Integration: Critical paths with mocked activities
• Replay: All workflow versions before deployment

Key Testing Principles

1. Time-Skipping - Month-long workflows test in seconds
2. Mock Activities - Isolate workflow logic from external dependencies
3. Replay Testing - Validate determinism before deployment
4. High Coverage - ≥80% target for production workflows
5. 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