test-implement-factory-fixtures
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Implement Factory Fixtures
Purpose
Factory fixtures are pytest fixtures that return callable functions, enabling dynamic test setup with customizable parameters. This pattern eliminates test duplication while maintaining flexibility for edge cases and variations.
Quick Start
# Create a factory fixture
@pytest.fixture
def mock_service_factory():
def create_service(dimensions=384, success=True):
service = AsyncMock()
service.generate = AsyncMock(return_value=[0.1] * dimensions)
return service
return create_service
# Use in tests
def test_with_custom_dimensions(mock_service_factory):
service = mock_service_factory(dimensions=1536)
result = service.generate()
assert len(result) == 1536
Table of Contents
Core Sections
-
- Multiple test variations needed
- Parameterization insufficient
- Edge cases require customization
- Real objects with mock dependencies
-
- Standard factory fixture structure
- Outer fixture, inner function, default values
- Proper documentation and type hints
-
- Pattern A: Mock Service Factory – Services with success/failure modes, varying return types
- Pattern B: Settings Factory – Configuration objects with many attributes
- Pattern C: Real Instance Factory – Real objects with mock dependencies
- Pattern D: Result/Data Factory – ServiceResult mocks, query results, response objects
-
- File organization patterns
- Naming conventions
- Using factories in tests
Examples
-
Example 1: Embedding Service Factory
- Custom dimensions (384, 1536)
- Success/failure modes
- Error message handling
-
Example 2: Settings Factory with Kwargs
- Hierarchical settings structure
- Flexible kwargs overrides
- Default value management
-
Example 3: Real Instance Factory
- Real business logic with mocked dependencies
- Combining multiple factories
- Custom configuration testing
Decision Guidance
- Factory vs Parametrize
- When to use factory fixtures
- When to use pytest.mark.parametrize
- Comparison examples
Common Pitfalls
- Pitfall 1: Over-Parameterization – Too many parameters, use kwargs instead
- Pitfall 2: Missing Defaults – Force every test to specify everything
- Pitfall 3: Stateful Factories – State leaks between tests
- Pitfall 4: Not Using Type Hints – Unclear return types
Supporting Resources
- Requirements
- See Also – Project examples, related skills, pytest documentation
Python Examples
- Convert Fixture to Factory – Convert existing pytest fixtures to factory pattern
- Generate Factory Fixture – Auto-generate factory fixtures from class definitions
- Validate Fixtures – Analyze fixtures and suggest factory pattern conversions
Instructions
Step 1: Identify the Need for Factory Fixtures
Factory fixtures are ideal when:
- Multiple test variations needed: Same mock with different configurations
- Parameterization insufficient: pytest.mark.parametrize doesn’t capture all variations
- Edge cases require customization: Success/failure modes, different data shapes
- Real objects with mock dependencies: Creating real instances with injected mocks
Example Scenarios:
- Mock service returning different dimension embeddings (384, 1536, etc.)
- Settings objects with various configuration combinations
- Real service instances with mocked dependencies
- Query results with different data structures
Step 2: Design the Factory Function
Factory fixtures have three components:
- Outer fixture: Declares dependencies and returns factory function
- Inner factory function: Accepts parameters and creates instances
- Default values: Sensible defaults for common cases
Standard Pattern:
@pytest.fixture
def mock_thing_factory():
"""Create a factory for custom mock things.
Returns:
callable: Function that creates things with custom parameters
Example:
def test_something(mock_thing_factory):
thing = mock_thing_factory(param1=value1, param2=value2)
# Use thing in test
"""
def create_thing(param1=default1, param2=default2):
"""Create custom mock thing.
Args:
param1: Description (default: default1)
param2: Description (default: default2)
Returns:
Type: Custom thing instance
"""
# Implementation
return thing
return create_thing
Step 3: Implement Common Factory Patterns
Pattern A: Mock Service Factory
For mocks with varying behavior:
@pytest.fixture
def mock_embedding_service_factory():
def create_service(dimensions=384, success=True, error_message=None):
service = AsyncMock()
if success:
service.generate_embeddings = AsyncMock(
return_value=MagicMock(
success=True,
data=[[0.1] * dimensions],
)
)
else:
service.generate_embeddings = AsyncMock(
return_value=MagicMock(
success=False,
error=error_message or "Embedding service error"
)
)
return service
return create_service
Use for: Services with success/failure modes, varying return types, different dimensions.
Pattern B: Settings Factory
For configuration objects with many attributes:
@pytest.fixture
def mock_settings_factory():
def create_settings(**kwargs):
settings = MagicMock()
# Set default structure
settings.project = MagicMock()
settings.neo4j = MagicMock()
settings.chunking = MagicMock()
# Apply defaults with kwargs overrides
settings.project.project_name = kwargs.get("project_name", "test_project")
settings.chunking.chunk_size = kwargs.get("chunk_size", 50)
settings.neo4j.database_name = kwargs.get("database_name", "test_db")
return settings
return create_settings
Use for: Complex configuration objects, hierarchical settings, many attributes.
Pattern C: Real Instance Factory
For creating real objects with mock dependencies:
@pytest.fixture
def mock_indexing_module_factory(
mock_neo4j_driver,
mock_embedding_service_factory,
mock_settings_factory
):
def create_module(**kwargs):
from project_watch_mcp.infrastructure.neo4j.graphrag.indexing import IndexingModule
settings = mock_settings_factory(**kwargs)
embedder = mock_embedding_service_factory(
dimensions=kwargs.get("embedding_dimensions", 384)
)
return IndexingModule(
settings=settings,
db=mock_neo4j_driver,
embedder=embedder,
project_name=kwargs.get("project_name", "test_project"),
database=kwargs.get("database", "test_db"),
)
return create_module
Use for: Testing real business logic with controlled dependencies.
Pattern D: Result/Data Factory
For creating test data structures:
@pytest.fixture
def mock_service_result():
def create_result(success=True, data=None, error=None):
result = MagicMock()
result.is_success = success
result.is_failure = not success
if success:
result.data = data
result.unwrap = MagicMock(return_value=data)
result.error = None
else:
result.data = None
result.error = error or "Operation failed"
result.unwrap = MagicMock(side_effect=ValueError(result.error))
return result
return create_result
Use for: ServiceResult mocks, query results, response objects.
Step 4: Organize Factory Fixtures
File Organization:
tests/utils/
âââ mock_services.py # Service-layer factories
âââ mock_settings.py # Configuration factories
âââ mock_drivers.py # Infrastructure factories
âââ __init__.py # Exports (if needed)
Naming Convention:
mock_{thing}_factoryfor mock factoriesmock_real_{thing}_factoryfor real instances with mocks- Clear docstrings with usage examples
Step 5: Use Factory Fixtures in Tests
Basic Usage:
def test_with_custom_dimensions(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(dimensions=1536)
result = await service.generate_embeddings(["text"])
assert len(result.data[0]) == 1536
Testing Failure Cases:
def test_handles_service_error(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(
success=False,
error_message="API rate limit"
)
result = await service.generate_embeddings(["text"])
assert result.is_failure
assert "rate limit" in result.error
Combining Factories:
def test_indexing_with_custom_settings(
mock_indexing_module_factory,
mock_settings_factory
):
module = mock_indexing_module_factory(
chunk_size=100,
project_name="custom_project",
embedding_dimensions=1536
)
# Test with custom configuration
Examples
Example 1: Embedding Service Factory (From Project)
Location: tests/utils/mock_services.py
@pytest.fixture
def mock_embedding_service_factory():
"""Create a factory for custom mock embedding services.
Returns:
callable: Function that creates embedding services with custom dimensions
Example:
def test_something(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(dimensions=1536)
# Use service in test
"""
def create_service(dimensions=384, success=True, error_message=None):
"""Create custom mock embedding service.
Args:
dimensions: Number of dimensions for embeddings
success: Whether the service should return success
error_message: Error message for failure cases
Returns:
AsyncMock: Custom embedding service
"""
service = AsyncMock()
if success:
service.generate_embeddings = AsyncMock(
return_value=MagicMock(
success=True,
data=[[0.1] * dimensions],
)
)
service.get_embeddings = AsyncMock(return_value=[[0.1] * dimensions])
service.get_embedding = AsyncMock(return_value=[0.1] * dimensions)
else:
service.generate_embeddings = AsyncMock(
return_value=MagicMock(
success=False, error=error_message or "Embedding service error"
)
)
service.get_embeddings = AsyncMock(side_effect=Exception(error_message or "Error"))
service.get_embedding = AsyncMock(side_effect=Exception(error_message or "Error"))
return service
return create_service
Usage in Tests:
def test_with_384_dimensions(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(dimensions=384)
result = await service.generate_embeddings(["text"])
assert len(result.data[0]) == 384
def test_with_1536_dimensions(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(dimensions=1536)
result = await service.generate_embeddings(["text"])
assert len(result.data[0]) == 1536
def test_service_failure(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(
success=False,
error_message="Rate limit exceeded"
)
result = await service.generate_embeddings(["text"])
assert not result.success
assert "Rate limit" in result.error
Example 2: Settings Factory with Kwargs (From Project)
Location: tests/utils/mock_settings.py
@pytest.fixture
def mock_settings_factory():
"""Create a factory for custom mock settings.
Returns:
callable: Function that creates settings with custom attributes
Example:
def test_something(mock_settings_factory):
settings = mock_settings_factory(
project_name="custom_project",
chunk_size=100,
database_name="custom_db"
)
# Use settings in test
"""
def create_settings(**kwargs):
"""Create custom mock settings with specified attributes.
Args:
**kwargs: Attributes to set on the settings object.
Use dot notation for nested attributes.
Returns:
MagicMock: Custom settings object
"""
settings = MagicMock()
# Set default structure
settings.project = MagicMock()
settings.neo4j = MagicMock()
settings.chunking = MagicMock()
settings.indexing = MagicMock()
# Apply defaults
settings.project.project_name = kwargs.get("project_name", "test_project")
settings.project.repository_path = Path(kwargs.get("repository_path", "/test/repo"))
settings.neo4j.database_name = kwargs.get("database_name", "test_db")
settings.neo4j.uri = kwargs.get("neo4j_uri", "bolt://192.168.68.122:7687")
settings.chunking.chunk_size = kwargs.get("chunk_size", 50)
settings.chunking.chunk_overlap = kwargs.get("chunk_overlap", 5)
settings.indexing.batch_size = kwargs.get("batch_size", 100)
settings.indexing.max_workers = kwargs.get("max_workers", 4)
return settings
return create_settings
Usage in Tests:
def test_with_custom_chunk_size(mock_settings_factory):
settings = mock_settings_factory(chunk_size=100)
assert settings.chunking.chunk_size == 100
def test_with_multiple_overrides(mock_settings_factory):
settings = mock_settings_factory(
project_name="my_project",
chunk_size=200,
batch_size=50,
database_name="prod_db"
)
assert settings.project.project_name == "my_project"
assert settings.chunking.chunk_size == 200
assert settings.indexing.batch_size == 50
assert settings.neo4j.database_name == "prod_db"
Example 3: Real Instance Factory with Mock Dependencies
Location: tests/utils/mock_services.py
@pytest.fixture
def mock_indexing_module_factory(
mock_neo4j_driver,
mock_embedding_service_factory,
mock_settings_factory
):
"""Create a factory for real IndexingModule instances with custom settings.
Args:
mock_neo4j_driver: Mock Neo4j driver fixture
mock_embedding_service_factory: Mock embedding service factory
mock_settings_factory: Mock settings factory
Returns:
callable: Function that creates IndexingModule instances
Example:
def test_something(mock_indexing_module_factory):
module = mock_indexing_module_factory(
chunk_size=100,
project_name="custom_project"
)
# Use module in test
"""
def create_module(**kwargs):
"""Create IndexingModule with custom settings.
Args:
**kwargs: Settings to override
Returns:
IndexingModule: Real IndexingModule instance with mocks
"""
from project_watch_mcp.infrastructure.neo4j.graphrag.indexing import IndexingModule
settings = mock_settings_factory(**kwargs)
embedder = mock_embedding_service_factory(
dimensions=kwargs.get("embedding_dimensions", 384)
)
return IndexingModule(
settings=settings,
db=mock_neo4j_driver,
embedder=embedder,
project_name=kwargs.get("project_name", "test_project"),
database=kwargs.get("database", "test_db"),
)
return create_module
Usage in Tests:
def test_indexing_with_large_chunks(mock_indexing_module_factory):
module = mock_indexing_module_factory(chunk_size=500)
# Test real IndexingModule logic with large chunks
def test_indexing_with_custom_embeddings(mock_indexing_module_factory):
module = mock_indexing_module_factory(
embedding_dimensions=1536,
project_name="ml_project"
)
# Test with different embedding dimensions
Requirements
- pytest (installed via project dependencies)
- unittest.mock (Python standard library)
- Understanding of pytest fixture scope
- Familiarity with closure patterns in Python
Installation:
# Already included in project dependencies
uv pip install -e .
Factory vs Parametrize: When to Choose
Use Factory Fixtures When:
- â Need multiple parameters with complex interactions
- â Creating real instances with mock dependencies
- â Success/failure modes require different mock setups
- â Edge cases need special configuration
- â Same fixture used across multiple test files
Use pytest.mark.parametrize When:
- â Testing same code with different input values
- â Simple parameter variations (1-3 parameters)
- â All test cases follow same pattern
- â Parameters are independent
Example Comparison:
# â WRONG: Parametrize for complex factory-like needs
@pytest.mark.parametrize("dimensions,success,error", [
(384, True, None),
(1536, True, None),
(384, False, "Error"),
])
def test_embedding_service(dimensions, success, error):
# Complex mock setup repeated in test
service = create_complex_mock(dimensions, success, error)
# ...
# â
CORRECT: Factory fixture for complex setup
def test_embedding_service_384(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(dimensions=384)
# ...
def test_embedding_service_failure(mock_embedding_service_factory):
service = mock_embedding_service_factory(success=False, error="Error")
# ...
Common Pitfalls
Pitfall 1: Over-Parameterization
â WRONG: Too many parameters
def create_service(
param1, param2, param3, param4, param5,
param6, param7, param8, param9, param10
):
# Too complex!
â CORRECT: Use kwargs or multiple factories
def create_service(**kwargs):
# Flexible and readable
Pitfall 2: Missing Defaults
â WRONG: All parameters required
def create_service(dimensions, success, error_message):
# Forces every test to specify everything
â CORRECT: Sensible defaults
def create_service(dimensions=384, success=True, error_message=None):
# Common case works with no args
Pitfall 3: Stateful Factories
â WRONG: Factory maintains state
@pytest.fixture
def mock_service_factory():
call_count = 0 # Shared across calls!
def create_service():
nonlocal call_count
call_count += 1
# State leaks between tests
â CORRECT: Stateless factory
@pytest.fixture
def mock_service_factory():
def create_service(call_count=0): # Pass as parameter
service = AsyncMock()
service.call_count = call_count
return service
return create_service
Pitfall 4: Not Using Type Hints
â WRONG: No type hints
def create_service(dimensions=384):
# What type is returned?
â CORRECT: Clear return types
def create_service(dimensions: int = 384) -> AsyncMock:
"""Create custom mock embedding service.
Args:
dimensions: Number of dimensions for embeddings
Returns:
AsyncMock: Custom embedding service
"""
See Also
-
Project Examples:
/Users/dawiddutoit/projects/play/project-watch-mcp/tests/utils/mock_services.py/Users/dawiddutoit/projects/play/project-watch-mcp/tests/utils/mock_settings.py/Users/dawiddutoit/projects/play/project-watch-mcp/tests/utils/mock_drivers.py
-
Related Skills:
debug-test-failures– Debugging factory fixture issuesrun-quality-gates– Validating tests using factories
-
Pytest Documentation: