gotests
Automatically generates table-driven Go test boilerplate from source code, with optional AI-powered test case generation.
What is gotests?
gotests is a command-line tool that automatically generates table-driven test scaffolding for Go code. It analyzes function and method signatures to create comprehensive test structures, saving developers time by automating repetitive boilerplate and ensuring consistency across test suites.
Go developers and teams who want to improve test coverage and maintainability by automating the creation of table-driven test scaffolding, particularly those working on projects with many functions or complex logic.
Developers choose gotests for its zero-configuration setup, full support for Go generics, and the unique AI-powered test generation feature that uses local LLMs via Ollama to create intelligent test cases with realistic values and edge cases.
Overview
Automatically generate Go test boilerplate from your source code.
Use Cases
Best For
- Automatically generating table-driven test scaffolding for Go functions and methods to save time on boilerplate.
- Creating consistent test structures across large Go codebases to maintain code quality.
- Generating tests for Go 1.18+ generic functions and methods with proper type handling.
- Using AI to generate intelligent test cases with realistic values and edge cases via local LLMs (Ollama).
- Integrating test generation into editors like VS Code, IntelliJ Goland, Vim, or Emacs via plugins.
- Applying custom test templates, such as for the testify assertion library, to match project standards.
Not Ideal For
- Teams using behavior-driven development (BDD) frameworks like Ginkgo that don't align with table-driven test patterns.
- Projects with sensitive code where AI analysis of function bodies poses privacy risks, even with local LLMs.
- Small scripts or one-off functions where the overhead of setting up and using the tool outweighs the time saved.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Works out of the box with any Go project without needing setup files, as stated in the README's key features for quick adoption.
Handles Go 1.18+ type parameters seamlessly, generating appropriate test code for generic functions with intelligent type constraint mapping, as detailed in the Go Generics Support section.
Uses local LLMs via Ollama to create intelligent test cases with realistic values and edge cases, automating meaningful test logic beyond basic scaffolding, as demonstrated in the AI examples.
Allows precise test generation for specific functions, exported functions, or entire packages using regex patterns and flags like -only and -excl, shown in the usage examples.
Cons
Requires installing and managing Ollama with models for AI features, adding setup steps and dependency on external tools beyond basic Go tooling.
Function bodies, including sensitive code and comments, are sent to the LLM for analysis, posing risks for proprietary projects, as warned in the privacy considerations section.
Only generates table-driven test structures, which may not suit projects preferring alternative testing styles like BDD or mock-heavy frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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