When to use `t.plan()`

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One major difference between AVA and tap/tape is the behavior of t.plan(). In AVA, t.plan() is only used to assert that the expected number of assertions are called; it does not auto-end the test.

Poor uses of `t.plan()`

Many users transitioning from tap/tape are accustomed to using t.plan() prolifically in every test. However, in AVA, we don't consider that to be a "best practice". Instead, we believe t.plan() should only be used in situations where it provides some value.

Sync tests with no branching

t.plan() is unnecessary in most sync tests.

test('simple sums', t => {
	// BAD: there is no branching here - t.plan() is pointless
	t.plan(2);

	t.is(1 + 1, 2);
	t.is(2 + 2, 4);
});

t.plan() does not provide any value here, and creates an extra chore if you ever decide to add or remove assertions.

Promises that are expected to resolve

test('gives foo', t => {
	t.plan(1);

	return somePromise().then(result => {
		t.is(result, 'foo');
	});
});

At a glance, this tests appears to make good use of t.plan() since an async promise handler is involved. However there are several problems with the test:

t.plan() is presumably used here to protect against the possibility that somePromise() might be rejected; But returning a rejected promise would fail the test anyways.
It would be better to take advantage of async/await:

test('gives foo', async t => {
	t.is(await somePromise(), 'foo');
});

Promises with a `.catch()` block

test('rejects with foo', t => {
	t.plan(2);

	return shouldRejectWithFoo().catch(reason => {
		t.is(reason.message, 'Hello');
		t.is(reason.foo, 'bar');
	});
});

Here, the use of t.plan() seeks to ensure that the code inside the catch block is executed. Instead, you should take advantage of t.throwsAsync and async/await, as this leads to flatter code that is easier to reason about:

test('rejects with foo', async t => {
	const reason = await t.throwsAsync(shouldRejectWithFoo());
	t.is(reason.message, 'Hello');
	t.is(reason.foo, 'bar');
});

Ensuring a catch statement happens

test('throws', t => {
	t.plan(2);

	try {
		shouldThrow();
	} catch (err) {
		t.is(err.message, 'Hello');
		t.is(err.foo, 'bar');
	}
});

As stated in the previous example, using the t.throws() assertion with async/await is a better choice.

Good uses of `t.plan()`

t.plan() provides value in the following cases.

Tests with branching statements

In most cases, it's a bad idea to use any complex branching inside your tests. A notable exception is for tests that are auto-generated (perhaps from a JSON document). Below t.plan() is used to ensure the correctness of the JSON input:

import fs from 'node:fs';
import path from 'node:path';

const testData = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(new URL('./fixtures/test-definitions.json', import.meta.url)));

for (const testDefinition of testData) {
	test('foo or bar', t => {
		const result = functionUnderTest(testDefinition.input);

		// testDefinition should have an expectation for `foo` or `bar` but not both
		t.plan(1);

		if (testDefinition.foo) {
			t.is(result.foo, testDefinition.foo);
		}

		if (testDefinition.bar) {
			t.is(result.bar, testDefinition.foo);
		}
	});
}

Conclusion

t.plan() has plenty of valid uses, but it should not be used indiscriminately. A good rule of thumb is to use it any time your test does not have straightforward, easily reasoned about, code flow. Tests with assertions inside callbacks, if/then statements, for/while loops, and (in some cases) try/catch blocks, are all good candidates for t.plan().

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