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Node.js Testing

DebuggAI provides comprehensive end-to-end testing capabilities for Node.js applications through our VS Code and Cursor extensions. Test your Node.js web applications, APIs, and full-stack applications directly from your IDE with zero configuration required.

Overview​

Node.js applications are ideal for DebuggAI's testing approach, whether you're building Express.js APIs, full-stack applications with server-side rendering, or modern Node.js frameworks. Our AI agents can test web interfaces, API endpoints through frontend interactions, and complex server-side logic through user workflows.

Prerequisites​

Before testing your Node.js application with DebuggAI:

  • Node.js 14.x or later
  • DebuggAI extension installed in VS Code or Cursor
  • Your Node.js development server running locally
  • DebuggAI account connected through the extension

Getting Started​

Step 1: Start Your Node.js Development Server​

Make sure your Node.js application is running locally:

# Standard Node.js application
npm start

# Or with nodemon for development
npm run dev

# Express.js application
node app.js

# Or with custom scripts
npm run server

Your app will typically be available at http://localhost:3000 or another configured port.

Step 2: Configure the Extension​

  1. Open VS Code or Cursor
  2. Access DebuggAI extension settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,)
  3. Search for "DebuggAI"
  4. Set "Local Server Port" to your Node.js server port

Step 3: Create Your First Test​

  1. Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
  2. Run "DebuggAI: Create New E2E Test" or use Cmd+Alt+C / Ctrl+Alt+C
  3. Describe your test in natural language

Node.js Framework Testing​

Express.js Applications​

DebuggAI works seamlessly with Express.js applications:

// app.js
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World!');
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}`);
});

// DebuggAI can test any Express.js routes and middleware

Express.js Testing Examples:

Example test descriptions:
• Test homepage renders correctly
• Test user registration form submission
• Test authentication middleware protection
• Test API endpoints through frontend forms
• Test file upload functionality

Fastify Applications​

Full support for Fastify-based applications:

// server.js
const fastify = require('fastify')({ logger: true });

fastify.get('/', async (request, reply) => {
  return { hello: 'world' };
});

const start = async () => {
  await fastify.listen({ port: 3000 });
};
start();

// DebuggAI tests Fastify routes through web interface

Koa.js Applications​

Test Koa.js applications and middleware:

// app.js
const Koa = require('koa');
const app = new Koa();

app.use(async ctx => {
  ctx.body = 'Hello World';
});

app.listen(3000);

// DebuggAI handles Koa.js async middleware testing

NestJS Applications​

Comprehensive testing for NestJS frameworks:

Example test descriptions:
• Test NestJS REST API through frontend
• Test GraphQL endpoints via web interface
• Test authentication guards and decorators
• Test microservice communication through UI
• Test WebSocket gateway functionality

Modern Node.js Testing Scenarios​

API Testing Through Frontend​

DebuggAI tests APIs by interacting with frontend interfaces that consume them:

Example test descriptions:
• Test REST API endpoints through form submissions
• Test GraphQL queries through interactive UI
• Test file upload API through web interface
• Test pagination API through frontend controls
• Test search API through search forms

Authentication and Authorization​

Test Node.js authentication systems:

Example test descriptions:
• Test JWT authentication login flow
• Test OAuth integration (Google, GitHub, etc.)
• Test role-based access control
• Test session management and persistence
• Test password reset and email verification

Real-time Features​

Test WebSocket and real-time functionality:

Example test descriptions:
• Test chat application message delivery
• Test real-time notifications and updates
• Test WebSocket connection handling
• Test Socket.io integration and events
• Test server-sent events (SSE) functionality

Database Integration Testing​

Test database operations through the web interface:

Example test descriptions:
• Test user data CRUD operations
• Test database transaction handling
• Test data validation and constraints
• Test database migration effects on UI
• Test data synchronization between services

Node.js with Frontend Frameworks​

Node.js + React (Full-Stack)​

Test full-stack Node.js + React applications:

Example test descriptions:
• Test server-side rendering with React
• Test API data flow from Node.js to React
• Test authentication between Node.js and React
• Test real-time updates across the stack

Node.js + Vue.js​

Test Node.js backends with Vue.js frontends:

Example test descriptions:
• Test Vue.js consuming Node.js APIs
• Test authentication flow across technologies
• Test data synchronization and state management
• Test file upload from Vue.js to Node.js

Node.js + Angular​

Test Node.js with Angular frontend integration:

Example test descriptions:
• Test Angular services consuming Node.js APIs
• Test authentication and authorization flow
• Test real-time data updates
• Test form submission and validation

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)​

Test SSR applications built with Node.js:

Example test descriptions:
• Test Next.js with Node.js API routes
• Test Nuxt.js with Node.js backend
• Test server-rendered content loads correctly
• Test hydration works properly on client-side

Advanced Node.js Testing Features​

Microservices Testing​

Test Node.js microservices through the main application interface:

Example test descriptions:
• Test user service integration through web UI
• Test payment service via checkout flow
• Test notification service through user actions
• Test service communication and error handling

Message Queue Integration​

Test message queue systems through user workflows:

Example test descriptions:
• Test email queue processing through form submission
• Test background job completion via UI updates
• Test queue failure handling and retry logic
• Test real-time status updates from queue workers

File Processing and Storage​

Test file handling capabilities:

Example test descriptions:
• Test image upload and processing workflow
• Test document conversion and download
• Test cloud storage integration (AWS S3, etc.)
• Test file security and access control

Third-Party API Integration​

Test external service integration:

Example test descriptions:
• Test payment processing (Stripe, PayPal)
• Test email service integration (SendGrid, Mailgun)
• Test social media API integration
• Test mapping and location services
• Test SMS and communication services

Testing Node.js Development Tools​

Testing with Different Package Managers​

DebuggAI works with all Node.js package managers:

# npm
npm install && npm start

# yarn
yarn install && yarn start

# pnpm
pnpm install && pnpm start

# bun
bun install && bun start

TypeScript Node.js Applications​

Full support for TypeScript Node.js projects:

// app.ts
import express, { Express, Request, Response } from 'express';

const app: Express = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

app.get('/', (req: Request, res: Response) => {
  res.send('Express + TypeScript Server');
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`⚡️[server]: Server is running at http://localhost:${port}`);
});

// DebuggAI tests TypeScript Node.js applications seamlessly

Node.js with Databases​

Test different database integrations:

MongoDB with Mongoose:

Example test descriptions:
• Test user document creation and updates
• Test MongoDB aggregation through UI
• Test schema validation via form submission
• Test database indexing effects on search

PostgreSQL with Sequelize/Prisma:

Example test descriptions:
• Test relational data through user interface
• Test database constraints via form validation
• Test transaction handling in complex workflows
• Test migration effects on application behavior

Redis Integration:

Example test descriptions:
• Test caching improves page load performance
• Test session storage and retrieval
• Test real-time features with Redis pub/sub
• Test rate limiting implementation

Testing Node.js Deployment Configurations​

Environment Variables Testing​

Test different environment configurations:

// config.js
module.exports = {
  port: process.env.PORT || 3000,
  dbUrl: process.env.DATABASE_URL || 'mongodb://localhost:27017/app',
  jwtSecret: process.env.JWT_SECRET || 'dev-secret',
  // DebuggAI tests against your development environment variables
};

Docker Integration​

Test containerized Node.js applications:

# Dockerfile
FROM node:18
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["npm", "start"]

# Configure DebuggAI extension for Docker port mapping

Process Management​

Test applications with process managers:

// ecosystem.config.js (PM2)
module.exports = {
  apps: [{
    name: 'my-app',
    script: 'app.js',
    instances: 1,
    env: {
      NODE_ENV: 'development',
      PORT: 3000
    }
  }]
}

Best Practices for Node.js Testing​

API Testing Strategy​

Focus on testing APIs through user interactions:

Instead of: "Test POST /api/users endpoint"
Use: "Test user registration form creates new account"

Instead of: "Test GET /api/products endpoint"
Use: "Test product catalog displays all available items"

Error Handling Testing​

Test comprehensive error scenarios:

Example test descriptions:
• Test application handles database connection errors
• Test API rate limiting displays appropriate messages
• Test network timeout handling in user interface
• Test validation errors display clearly to users

Performance Testing​

Monitor Node.js application performance:

Example test descriptions:
• Test page load times under normal traffic
• Test API response times through user interface
• Test memory usage during intensive operations
• Test concurrent user handling capabilities

Security Testing​

Test security features through user workflows:

Example test descriptions:
• Test SQL injection protection in forms
• Test XSS prevention in user input fields
• Test CSRF protection in form submissions
• Test authentication bypass attempts fail

Debugging Node.js Tests​

Common Issues and Solutions​

Server Connection:

  • Ensure Node.js server is running and accessible
  • Check the configured port matches your application
  • Verify no other processes are using the same port

Environment Variables:

  • Ensure development environment variables are set
  • Check .env file loading in development
  • Verify database connections are working

Static File Serving:

  • Ensure static files are served correctly in development
  • Check public directory configuration
  • Verify CSS and JavaScript files load properly

Node.js Debugging Integration​

DebuggAI test results complement Node.js debugging tools:

  • Console Logs: Server-side console output during test execution
  • Network Activity: API calls and response monitoring
  • Error Stack Traces: Detailed error information from server
  • Performance Metrics: Server response times and resource usage

Integration with Node.js Development Workflow​

Hot Reloading​

DebuggAI works seamlessly with development tools:

# nodemon
nodemon app.js

# ts-node for TypeScript
ts-node-dev --respawn src/app.ts

# Custom development scripts
npm run dev

Continuous Integration​

Prepare Node.js applications for CI/CD testing:

# GitHub Actions example
name: Test Node.js Application
on: [push]
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - uses: actions/setup-node@v2
        with:
          node-version: '18'
      - run: npm install
      - run: npm start &
      - run: npm run test:e2e

Team Development​

Standardize Node.js testing across your team:

  • Environment Setup: Consistent development environment configuration
  • API Testing: Shared patterns for testing API functionality
  • Error Handling: Standardized error testing approaches
  • Performance Baselines: Shared performance expectations

Next Steps​