pydantic-ai-testing
Test PydanticAI agents using TestModel, FunctionModel, VCR cassettes, and inline snapshots. Use when writing unit tests, mocking LLM responses, or recording API interactions.
Best use case
pydantic-ai-testing is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Test PydanticAI agents using TestModel, FunctionModel, VCR cassettes, and inline snapshots. Use when writing unit tests, mocking LLM responses, or recording API interactions.
Teams using pydantic-ai-testing should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/pydantic-ai-testing/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How pydantic-ai-testing Compares
| Feature / Agent | pydantic-ai-testing | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Test PydanticAI agents using TestModel, FunctionModel, VCR cassettes, and inline snapshots. Use when writing unit tests, mocking LLM responses, or recording API interactions.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
Related Guides
AI Agents for Coding
Browse AI agent skills for coding, debugging, testing, refactoring, code review, and developer workflows across Claude, Cursor, and Codex.
Best AI Skills for Claude
Explore the best AI skills for Claude and Claude Code across coding, research, workflow automation, documentation, and agent operations.
AI Agents for Marketing
Discover AI agents for marketing workflows, from SEO and content production to campaign research, outreach, and analytics.
SKILL.md Source
# Testing PydanticAI Agents
## TestModel (Deterministic Testing)
Use `TestModel` for tests without API calls:
```python
import pytest
from pydantic_ai import Agent
from pydantic_ai.models.test import TestModel
def test_agent_basic():
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o')
# Override with TestModel for testing
result = agent.run_sync('Hello', model=TestModel())
# TestModel generates deterministic output based on output_type
assert isinstance(result.output, str)
```
## TestModel Configuration
```python
from pydantic_ai.models.test import TestModel
# Custom text output
model = TestModel(custom_output_text='Custom response')
result = agent.run_sync('Hello', model=model)
assert result.output == 'Custom response'
# Custom structured output (for output_type agents)
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Response(BaseModel):
message: str
score: int
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o', output_type=Response)
model = TestModel(custom_output_args={'message': 'Test', 'score': 42})
result = agent.run_sync('Hello', model=model)
assert result.output.message == 'Test'
# Seed for reproducible random output
model = TestModel(seed=42)
# Force tool calls
model = TestModel(call_tools=['my_tool', 'another_tool'])
```
## Override Context Manager
```python
from pydantic_ai import Agent
from pydantic_ai.models.test import TestModel
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o', deps_type=MyDeps)
def test_with_override():
mock_deps = MyDeps(db=MockDB())
with agent.override(model=TestModel(), deps=mock_deps):
# All runs use TestModel and mock_deps
result = agent.run_sync('Hello')
assert result.output
```
## FunctionModel (Custom Logic)
For complete control over model responses:
```python
from pydantic_ai import Agent, ModelMessage, ModelResponse, TextPart
from pydantic_ai.models.function import AgentInfo, FunctionModel
def custom_model(
messages: list[ModelMessage],
info: AgentInfo
) -> ModelResponse:
"""Custom model that inspects messages and returns response."""
# Access the last user message
last_msg = messages[-1]
# Return custom response
return ModelResponse(parts=[TextPart('Custom response')])
agent = Agent(FunctionModel(custom_model))
result = agent.run_sync('Hello')
```
### FunctionModel with Tool Calls
```python
from pydantic_ai import ToolCallPart, ModelResponse
from pydantic_ai.models.function import AgentInfo, FunctionModel
def model_with_tools(
messages: list[ModelMessage],
info: AgentInfo
) -> ModelResponse:
# First request: call a tool
if len(messages) == 1:
return ModelResponse(parts=[
ToolCallPart(
tool_name='get_data',
args='{"id": 123}'
)
])
# After tool response: return final result
return ModelResponse(parts=[TextPart('Done with tool result')])
agent = Agent(FunctionModel(model_with_tools))
@agent.tool_plain
def get_data(id: int) -> str:
return f"Data for {id}"
result = agent.run_sync('Get data')
```
## VCR Cassettes (Recorded API Calls)
Record and replay real LLM API interactions:
```python
import pytest
@pytest.mark.vcr
def test_with_recorded_response():
"""Uses recorded cassette from tests/cassettes/"""
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o')
result = agent.run_sync('Hello')
assert 'hello' in result.output.lower()
# To record/update cassettes:
# uv run pytest --record-mode=rewrite tests/test_file.py
```
Cassette files are stored in `tests/cassettes/` as YAML.
## Inline Snapshots
Assert expected outputs with auto-updating snapshots:
```python
from inline_snapshot import snapshot
def test_agent_output():
result = agent.run_sync('Hello', model=TestModel())
# First run: creates snapshot
# Subsequent runs: asserts against it
assert result.output == snapshot('expected output here')
# Update snapshots:
# uv run pytest --inline-snapshot=fix
```
## Testing Tools
```python
from pydantic_ai import Agent, RunContext
from pydantic_ai.models.test import TestModel
def test_tool_is_called():
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o')
tool_called = False
@agent.tool_plain
def my_tool(x: int) -> str:
nonlocal tool_called
tool_called = True
return f"Result: {x}"
# Force TestModel to call the tool
result = agent.run_sync(
'Use my_tool',
model=TestModel(call_tools=['my_tool'])
)
assert tool_called
```
## Testing with Dependencies
```python
from dataclasses import dataclass
from unittest.mock import AsyncMock
@dataclass
class Deps:
api: ApiClient
def test_tool_with_deps():
# Create mock dependency
mock_api = AsyncMock()
mock_api.fetch.return_value = {'data': 'test'}
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o', deps_type=Deps)
@agent.tool
async def fetch_data(ctx: RunContext[Deps]) -> dict:
return await ctx.deps.api.fetch()
with agent.override(
model=TestModel(call_tools=['fetch_data']),
deps=Deps(api=mock_api)
):
result = agent.run_sync('Fetch data')
mock_api.fetch.assert_called_once()
```
## Capture Messages
Inspect all messages in a run:
```python
from pydantic_ai import Agent, capture_run_messages
agent = Agent('openai:gpt-4o')
with capture_run_messages() as messages:
result = agent.run_sync('Hello', model=TestModel())
# Inspect captured messages
for msg in messages:
print(msg)
```
## Testing Patterns Summary
| Scenario | Approach |
|----------|----------|
| Unit tests without API | `TestModel()` |
| Custom model logic | `FunctionModel(func)` |
| Recorded real responses | `@pytest.mark.vcr` |
| Assert output structure | `inline_snapshot` |
| Test tools are called | `TestModel(call_tools=[...])` |
| Mock dependencies | `agent.override(deps=...)` |
## pytest Configuration
Typical `pyproject.toml`:
```toml
[tool.pytest.ini_options]
testpaths = ["tests"]
asyncio_mode = "auto" # For async tests
```
Run tests:
```bash
uv run pytest tests/test_agent.py -v
uv run pytest --inline-snapshot=fix # Update snapshots
```Related Skills
rust-testing-code-review
Reviews Rust test code for unit test patterns, integration test structure, async testing, mocking approaches, and property-based testing. Use when reviewing _test.rs files,
zod-testing
Testing patterns for Zod schemas using Jest and Vitest. Covers schema correctness testing, mock data generation, error assertion patterns, integration testing with API handlers and forms, snapshot testing with z.toJSONSchema(), and property-based testing. Baseline: zod ^4.0.0. Triggers on: test files for Zod schemas, zod-schema-faker imports, mentions of "test schema", "schema test", "zod mock", "zod test", or schema testing patterns.
redux-saga-testing
Write tests for Redux Sagas using redux-saga-test-plan, runSaga, and manual generator testing. Covers expectSaga (integration), testSaga (unit), providers, partial matchers, reducer integration, error simulation, and cancellation testing. Works with Jest and Vitest. Triggers on: test files for sagas, redux-saga-test-plan imports, mentions of "test saga", "saga test", "expectSaga", "testSaga", or "redux-saga-test-plan".
vitest-testing
Vitest testing framework patterns and best practices. Use when writing unit tests, integration tests, configuring vitest.config, mocking with vi.mock/vi.fn, using snapshots, or setting up test coverage. Triggers on describe, it, expect, vi.mock, vi.fn, beforeEach, afterEach, vitest.
swift-testing-code-review
Reviews Swift Testing code for proper use of
pydantic-ai-tool-system
Register and implement PydanticAI tools with proper context handling, type annotations, and docstrings. Use when adding tool capabilities to agents, implementing function calling, or creating agent actions.
pydantic-ai-model-integration
Configure LLM providers, use fallback models, handle streaming, and manage model settings in PydanticAI. Use when selecting models, implementing resilience, or optimizing API calls.
pydantic-ai-dependency-injection
Implement dependency injection in PydanticAI agents using RunContext and deps_type. Use when agents need database connections, API clients, user context, or any external resources.
pydantic-ai-common-pitfalls
Avoid common mistakes and debug issues in PydanticAI agents. Use when encountering errors, unexpected behavior, or when reviewing agent implementations.
pydantic-ai-agent-creation
Create PydanticAI agents with type-safe dependencies, structured outputs, and proper configuration. Use when building AI agents, creating chat systems, or integrating LLMs with Pydantic validation.
QA & Testing Engine — Complete Software Quality System
> The definitive testing methodology for AI agents. From test strategy to execution, coverage to reporting — everything you need to ship quality software.
---
name: article-factory-wechat