Testing applications

Unit and integration tests

Use the language's standard framework and wire it into makepkg check() so packaging runs it:

Stack	Framework	Runs in PKGBUILD via
Python	pytest	`checkdepends=('python-pytest')`, `check()` runs `pytest`
Rust	built-in tests	`cargo test --frozen` in `check()`
C++/Qt	CTest	`cmake --build build && ctest --test-dir build`
Shell	bats	`checkdepends=('bats')`

check() {
    cd "${srcdir}/${pkgname}-${pkgver}"
    pytest -q
}

Integration tests exercise real interactions: a package-manager frontend (pastor-style) should have a test that reads a fixture sync database; a settings service should test its config round-trip.

GUI testing

GUI test frameworks exist, but the pragmatic Parch baseline is:

A scripted smoke test: launch the app under Xvfb/Wayland headless, assert the process stays alive and exposes its main window, quit.
Manual pass over the primary flow on every release.
Screenshots in the PR for UI changes (both themes).
For toolkit automation when needed: GTK apps can drive tests through AT-SPI (dogtail/pyatspi); Qt apps through Qt Test.

Accessibility testing

Keyboard-only pass: every flow operable without a pointer.
Screen reader pass with Orca over the primary flow: names and roles sensible, no "unlabeled button".
Contrast check on real content in both themes.
200% scaling without clipped controls. The rules these enforce live in the accessibility HIG.

Localization testing

Run with LANG=fa_IR.UTF-8 and walk the app: reflow, truncation, directionality.
Inject mixed-direction strings (package names inside Persian sentences).
Check plural forms: Persian plurals differ from English; use gettext plural rules, never if (n == 1).
Confirm untranslatable content (commands, package names) stays LTR and intact. Details: testing translated apps.

Regression discipline

When a bug is reported:

Write the failing test first (unit where possible, scripted smoke at worst).
Fix until green.
Keep the test forever.

Bugs that escape to users get a test in the same PR as the fix; that is the policy, not a suggestion.