How do you run a single test/spec file in RSpec?

How to Run a Single Test/Spec File in RSpec

So you have a spec file in RSpec that you want to run individually? No worries, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to run a single test/spec file in RSpec, even if you're not using a Rails project. Let's jump right in!

Problem: Running All Specs vs. Running a Single Spec File

By default, running rake spec in RSpec executes all the specs in your project. But what if you only want to run the tests for a specific file? How can you achieve that? Let's find out.

Solution: Using the RSpec Command Line Interface (CLI)

The RSpec CLI provides a straightforward way to run individual spec files. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the root directory of your project.

Step 2: Run the following command to execute a specific test/spec file:

rspec /path/to/your/spec_file.rb

Replace /path/to/your/spec_file.rb with the actual path to your spec file. For example, in your case, if you want to run the db_spec.rb file located in the ./spec directory, the command would be:

rspec ./spec/db_spec.rb

Step 3: Sit back and relax! 🍿 RSpec will now run only the tests from the specified spec file.

Alternative Solution: Using Tags

Another way to run a specific test/spec file is by using tags. Tags allow you to mark individual tests or groups of tests and run only those that match the specified tags. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Inside your spec file, add a tag to the test(s) you want to run individually. For example:

describe "My Spec" do
  it "should pass", :individual do
    expect(1 + 1).to eq(2)
  end
  
  it "should not run", :skip do
    expect(true).to be_falsey
  end
end

Step 2: Run the following command to execute the tagged test/spec file(s):

rspec --tag individual

This command will run only the tests that have been tagged with :individual. You can customize your tags based on your requirements.

Conclusion and Call-to-Action

Running a single test/spec file in RSpec doesn't have to be a tedious task. With the help of the RSpec CLI or tags, you can easily execute specific tests and focus on the code you're working on.

Try running a single test/spec file in your RSpec project today and experience the convenience it brings! If you have any questions or other RSpec-related topics you'd like us to cover, let us know in the comments below. Happy testing! 🚀🧪