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
- Open VS Code or Cursor
- Access DebuggAI extension settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,)
- Search for "DebuggAI"
- Set "Local Server Port" to your Node.js server port
Step 3: Create Your First Test
- Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
- Run "DebuggAI: Create New E2E Test" or use Cmd+Alt+C / Ctrl+Alt+C
- 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
- Learn about Extension Features for advanced Node.js testing
- Explore Advanced Features for complex Node.js patterns
- Check out React Testing for frontend integration testing
- See Django Testing for Python backend comparison
- Set up Commit Testing for continuous Node.js validation