React Testing Library Best Practices

43 rules across 9 categories for testing React components with Testing Library, prioritized by impact to guide test writing and code review.

Scope

This skill owns React component and hook testing mechanics. For framework-agnostic questions — which level a behavior belongs at, what a coverage number means, how to choose test data, how to kill a flake — use testing-expert.

When to Apply

• Writing new component tests with React Testing Library
• Selecting queries (getByRole, getByLabelText, etc.)
• Handling async operations in tests (findBy, waitFor)
• Simulating user interactions (userEvent)
• Reviewing tests for anti-patterns and implementation detail testing