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Test structure

tests/
├── Feature/              # Feature/integration tests
└── Unit/
    ├── EnvTest.php       # Validates 115 required env vars exist
    └── ModelTests/
        ├── UserTest.php          # 69 test methods (most comprehensive)
        ├── BookingTest.php
        ├── LessonTest.php
        ├── AddressTest.php
        ├── NoteTest.php
        ├── AvailabilityTest.php
        ├── ProfileTest.php
        └── [Transformer tests]

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Running tests

# Via Docker
docker-compose exec app vendor/bin/phpunit

# Locally (requires mysql_test connection)
vendor/bin/phpunit

# Run specific test file
vendor/bin/phpunit tests/Unit/ModelTests/UserTest.php

# Run specific test method
vendor/bin/phpunit --filter testUserCanBeStudent

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Test configuration

File: phpunit.xml 
APP_ENV=testing
DB_CONNECTION=mysql_test          <!-- Separate test database -->
CACHE_DRIVER=array                <!-- In-memory cache -->
SESSION_DRIVER=array              <!-- In-memory sessions -->
QUEUE_DRIVER=sync                 <!-- Jobs run inline -->
FILESYSTEM_DRIVER=public          <!-- Local filesystem -->
LOG_CHANNEL=null                  <!-- No logging -->
The test database is a separate MySQL instance:
  • Docker: mysql-db-test service on port 3310
  • Database: tutorbloc_db_test
  • Credentials: tester / tester_secret

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Key test files

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EnvTest

File: tests/Unit/EnvTest.php Validates that all 115 required environment variables are set. Acts as a deployment safety net — if any env var is missing, this test fails.
If you add a new env var to the app, add it to EnvTest too. This prevents deployment issues from missing config.

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UserTest (69 methods)

File: tests/Unit/ModelTests/UserTest.php The most comprehensive test file. Covers:
  • Role filtering — students, tutors, parents correctly filtered
  • Tutor search scopes — by subject, level, exam boards
  • User visibility — isVisible scope works correctly
  • Distance calculations — withDistance and withinDistance scopes
  • Verification checks — identity, DBS, qualifications
  • Payment accounts — active account detection
  • Address/mobile validation — required field checks
  • Lesson booking availability — holiday checks, scheduling conflicts
  • Profile completeness — step-by-step completion tracking
  • Language defaults — English auto-added for tutors
  • OAuth integration — Zoom connection status
  • Video/bio content — presence checks
  • Subscription status — valid/invalid subscription states

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ProfileTest

File: tests/Unit/ModelTests/ProfileTest.php Tests teacher reference number validation.

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Test coverage

Coverage gaps to be aware of:
  • Controller/integration test coverage appears limited
  • No visible mocking of external services (Stripe, Twilio, Onfido) in test setup — unclear if integration tests hit real APIs. Confirm with team.
  • Payment flow end-to-end testing not visible
  • Webhook handler tests not visible

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Test database setup

Before running tests, ensure the test database is migrated: 
# Via Docker
docker-compose exec app php artisan migrate --database=mysql_test --force

# Locally
php artisan migrate --database=mysql_test --force

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CI/CD testing

In the staging build pipeline (buildspec-staging.yml):
  1. Waits for test MySQL container to be ready (120s timeout)
  2. Runs migrations on test database
  3. Runs full PHPUnit suite
  4. Build fails if any test fails
Production builds skip tests entirely — they rely on staging tests having passed.

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Code style

PHP CS Fixer is available for code style enforcement: 
vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix
Config: standard PHP CS Fixer rules (no custom config file found).