clerk/clerk-testing

Testing

Decision Tree

| Framework | Documentation | |-----------|---------------| | Overview | https://clerk.com/docs/guides/development/testing/overview | | Playwright | https://clerk.com/docs/guides/development/testing/playwright/overview | | Cypress | https://clerk.com/docs/guides/development/testing/cypress/overview |

Mental Model

Test auth = isolated session state. Each test needs fresh auth context.

• clerkSetup() initializes test environment
• setupClerkTestingToken() bypasses bot detection
• storageState persists auth between tests for speed

Workflow

1. Identify test framework (Playwright or Cypress)
2. WebFetch the appropriate URL from decision tree above
3. Follow official setup instructions
4. Use pk_test_* and sk_test_* keys only

Best Practices

• Use setupClerkTestingToken() before navigating to auth pages
• Use test API keys: pk_test_xxx, sk_test_xxx
• Save auth state with storageState for faster tests
• Use page.waitForSelector('[data-clerk-component]') for Clerk UI

Anti-Patterns

| Pattern | Problem | Fix | |---------|---------|-----| | Production keys in tests | Security risk | Use pk_test_* keys | | No setupClerkTestingToken() | Auth fails | Call before navigation | | UI-based sign-in every test | Slow tests | Use storageState |

Framework-Specific

Playwright: Use globalSetup for auth state Cypress: Add addClerkCommands({ Cypress, cy }) to support file

See Also

• clerk-setup - Install Clerk before adding tests
• clerk-nextjs-patterns - Next.js patterns being tested
• Demo Repo