Install Pytest
Pick your agent. Every command is ready to paste.
npx skills add Gentleman-Programming/Gentleman-Skills --skill pytestThe open skills CLI detects your agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and 70+ more) and installs to the right folder. Add -g to install globally.
01
Install it
Run the command above, or upload the folder in Claude.
02
Ask naturally
Describe the task. Your agent loads pytest when the request matches its description.
03
Name it if needed
If it does not trigger, say “use the pytest skill”. In Codex, type $pytest.
Basic Test Structure
import pytest
class TestUserService:
def test_create_user_success(self):
user = create_user(name="John", email="john@test.com")
assert user.name == "John"
assert user.email == "john@test.com"
def test_create_user_invalid_email_fails(self):
with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Invalid email"):
create_user(name="John", email="invalid")
Fixtures
import pytest
@pytest.fixture
def user():
"""Create a test user."""
return User(name="Test User", email="test@example.com")
@pytest.fixture
def authenticated_client(client, user):
"""Client with authenticated user."""
client.force_login(user)
return client
# Fixture with teardown
@pytest.fixture
def temp_file():
path = Path("/tmp/test_file.txt")
path.write_text("test content")
yield path # Test runs here
path.unlink() # Cleanup after test
# Fixture scopes
@pytest.fixture(scope="module") # Once per module
@pytest.fixture(scope="class") # Once per class
@pytest.fixture(scope="session") # Once per test session
conftest.py
# tests/conftest.py - Shared fixtures
import pytest
@pytest.fixture
def db_session():
session = create_session()
yield session
session.rollback()
@pytest.fixture
def api_client():
return TestClient(app)
Mocking
from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
class TestPaymentService:
def test_process_payment_success(self):
with patch("services.payment.stripe_client") as mock_stripe:
mock_stripe.charge.return_value = {"id": "ch_123", "status": "succeeded"}
result = process_payment(amount=100)
assert result["status"] == "succeeded"
mock_stripe.charge.assert_called_once_with(amount=100)
def test_process_payment_failure(self):
with patch("services.payment.stripe_client") as mock_stripe:
mock_stripe.charge.side_effect = PaymentError("Card declined")
with pytest.raises(PaymentError):
process_payment(amount=100)
# MagicMock for complex objects
def test_with_mock_object():
mock_user = MagicMock()
mock_user.id = "user-123"
mock_user.name = "Test User"
mock_user.is_active = True
result = get_user_info(mock_user)
assert result["name"] == "Test User"
Parametrize
@pytest.mark.parametrize("input,expected", [
("hello", "HELLO"),
("world", "WORLD"),
("pytest", "PYTEST"),
])
def test_uppercase(input, expected):
assert input.upper() == expected
@pytest.mark.parametrize("email,is_valid", [
("user@example.com", True),
("invalid-email", False),
("", False),
("user@.com", False),
])
def test_email_validation(email, is_valid):
assert validate_email(email) == is_valid
Markers
# pytest.ini or pyproject.toml
[tool.pytest.ini_options]
markers = [
"slow: marks tests as slow",
"integration: marks integration tests",
]
# Usage
@pytest.mark.slow
def test_large_data_processing():
...
@pytest.mark.integration
def test_database_connection():
...
@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not implemented yet")
def test_future_feature():
...
@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform == "win32", reason="Unix only")
def test_unix_specific():
...
# Run specific markers
# pytest -m "not slow"
# pytest -m "integration"
Async Tests
import pytest
@pytest.mark.asyncio
async def test_async_function():
result = await async_fetch_data()
assert result is not None
Commands
pytest # Run all tests
pytest -v # Verbose output
pytest -x # Stop on first failure
pytest -k "test_user" # Filter by name
pytest -m "not slow" # Filter by marker
pytest --cov=src # With coverage
pytest -n auto # Parallel (pytest-xdist)
pytest --tb=short # Short traceback
Keywords
pytest, python, testing, fixtures, mocking, parametrize, markers
Tips for Pytest
- • Start a fresh session after installing so your agent picks up the new skill.
- • It is part of a pack with 24 skills. Install only the ones you need with --skill to keep triggers precise.
- • If two skills overlap, mention the one you want by name.
Questions about Pytest
What does the Pytest skill do?
Pytest testing patterns for Python. Trigger: When writing Python tests - fixtures, mocking, markers.
How do I install Pytest?
Run "npx skills add Gentleman-Programming/Gentleman-Skills --skill pytest" in your project. The skills CLI installs it for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and 70+ other agents. In Claude on the web, upload the skill folder as a ZIP under Customize > Skills.
Does Pytest work in Cursor and Codex?
Yes. Pytest uses the open SKILL.md format, so it works in Claude Code, Claude, Cursor, OpenAI Codex, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and other agents that support agent skills.
Is Pytest free?
Pytest is open source on GitHub under the MIT license. It is free to install; check the license before commercial use.
Who made Pytest?
Pytest is published by Gentleman-Programming in the Gentleman-Programming/Gentleman-Skills repository, together with 23 other skills.




