ROS2 Testing
ROS2 test strategies and patterns with Clean Architecture (Python & C++)
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/harunkurtdev/ros2-claude-code-template /tmp/ros2-testing && cp -r /tmp/ros2-testing/.claude/skills/ros2_testing ~/.claude/skills/ros2-testingSKILL.md
# ROS2 Testing Skill
This skill provides test strategies for ROS2 applications adhering to Clean Architecture principles, covering Unit, Integration, and E2E tests in both Python and C++.
## Test Pyramid
```
/\
/ \ E2E Tests (Launch Tests / System Tests)
/----\
/ \ Integration Tests (Node / Component Tests)
/--------\
/ \ Unit Tests (Domain / Application Logic)
/--------------\
```
## Directory Structure
```
tests/
├── unit/
│ ├── domain/
│ └── application/
├── integration/
│ └── ros2/
└── e2e/
└── launch_tests/
```
## Python Testing
### 1. Unit Tests (Domain Layer)
See the previous version for Python Unit Test examples. They remain valid as domain logic is pure Python.
### 2. Integration Tests (Node Test)
```python
# tests/integration/ros2/nodes/test_sensor_node.py
import pytest
import rclpy
from rclpy.node import Node
from std_msgs.msg import Float64
@pytest.fixture(scope='module')
def ros_context():
rclpy.init()
yield
rclpy.shutdown()
@pytest.fixture
def test_node(ros_context):
node = Node('test_helper')
yield node
node.destroy_node()
def test_sensor_integration(test_node):
# Verify node behavior by subscribing/publishing
pass
```
## C++ Testing (GTest)
### 1. Unit Tests (Domain Layer)
```cpp
// tests/unit/domain/use_cases/test_robot_controller.cpp
#include <gtest/gtest.h>
#include <gmock/gmock.h>
#include "domain/use_cases/robot_controller.hpp"
#include "domain/entities/robot_state.hpp"
using namespace domain;
using ::testing::Return;
class MockRobotRepository : public repositories::IRobotRepository {
public:
MOCK_METHOD(entities::RobotState, get_state, (), (override));
MOCK_METHOD(void, set_mode, (entities::RobotMode), (override));
};
TEST(RobotControllerTest, StartFromIdle) {
auto mock_repo = std::make_shared<MockRobotRepository>();
use_cases::RobotControllerUseCase use_case(mock_repo);
EXPECT_CALL(*mock_repo, get_state())
.WillOnce(Return(entities::RobotState{entities::RobotMode::IDLE}));
EXPECT_CALL(*mock_repo, set_mode(entities::RobotMode::ACTIVE));
auto result = use_case.start();
EXPECT_TRUE(result.success);
}
```
### 2. Integration Tests (Node/Component)
```cpp
// tests/integration/ros2/test_sensor_node.cpp
#include <gtest/gtest.h>
#include <rclcpp/rclcpp.hpp>
#include "infrastructure/ros2/nodes/sensor_node.hpp"
class SensorNodeTest : public ::testing::Test {
protected:
void SetUp() override {
rclcpp::init(0, nullptr);
node_ = std::make_shared<infrastructure::ros2::nodes::SensorNode>();
}
void TearDown() override {
rclcpp::shutdown();
}
std::shared_ptr<infrastructure::ros2::nodes::SensorNode> node_;
};
TEST_F(SensorNodeTest, Initialization) {
EXPECT_STREQ(node_->get_name(), "sensor_node");
}
```
### 3. Launch Tests (Python with GTest)
You can run GTest executables from launch files to perform system-level tests.
```python
# tests/e2e/launch_tests/system_test.launch.py
from launch import LaunchDescription
from launch_ros.actions import Node
from launch_testing.actions import ReadyToTest
def generate_launch_description():
# Launch system under test
app_node = Node(package='my_robot', executable='main_node')
# Launch GTest runner
test_runner = Node(
package='my_robot',
executable='system_integration_test',
output='screen'
)
return LaunchDescription([
app_node,
test_runner,
ReadyToTest()
])
```
## Best Practices
- **Mocking**: Use `unittest.mock` for Python and `gmock` for C++.
- **Separation**: Keep domain logic usage in unit tests strictly separate from ROS2 dependencies.
- **Fixtures**: Use `pytest.fixture` and GTest `SetUp/TearDown` to manage ROS2 context (`rclpy.init/shutdown`).
- **Async Testing**: For C++ integration tests, use `rclcpp::spin_some` or `wait_for_future` to handle async operations.Use proactively before opening a PR that adds or changes BehaviorTree.CPP nodes or BehaviorTree.ROS2 wrappers (RosActionNode/RosServiceNode/RosTopicPub/SubNode, TreeExecutionServer). Reviews a diff against BT.CPP v4 conventions — node base-class choice, non-blocking ticks, ports/blackboard typing, factory/plugin registration, XML v4, and the ROS 2 wrapper contract. Returns a punch list with file:line anchors, not a rewrite.
Use when a design decision touches Clean Architecture boundaries in a ROS 2 project — which layer a new behaviour belongs to, whether a port belongs in domain or application, whether a new node should be lifecycle-managed, whether to compose nodes or split packages. Returns an architectural recommendation with trade-offs, not implementation.
Use when a design decision touches the gz-sim ECS — where new state should live, which system phase should write it, how to avoid coupling, whether to add a component vs. a member variable, whether a new system should be split or merged with an existing one. Returns an architectural recommendation with trade-offs, not implementation.
Use proactively before opening any gz-sim PR. Reviews a diff against the project's C++17 style, ECS conventions, plugin registration patterns, CMake structure, test placement, Migration.md / Changelog.md expectations, and pre-commit configuration. Returns a punch list, not a rewrite.
Use proactively before opening a PR that adds or changes a ros2_control controller, broadcaster, or hardware component (incl. URDF <ros2_control> bringup). Reviews a diff against ros2_controllers / ros2_control_demos conventions — controller & hardware lifecycle, command/state interface configuration, real-time safety of update()/read()/write(), generate_parameter_library usage, pluginlib registration, chainable-controller correctness, URDF wiring, and tests. Returns a punch list with file:line anchors, not a rewrite.
Use proactively before opening any ROS 2 / Nav 2 PR. Reviews a diff against this template's Clean Architecture, ROS 2 communication, lifecycle, testing, and Nav 2 plugin conventions. Returns a punch list with file:line anchors, not a rewrite.
Use proactively before opening a PR that touches a VDA 5050 connector / fleet bridge. Reviews a diff against VDA 5050 v3.0.0 protocol compliance (topics, QoS, header rules, base/horizon, action state machine, schema validation) and the template's Clean Architecture for the MQTT↔Nav 2 bridge. Returns a punch list with file:line anchors, not a rewrite.
Build the colcon workspace (optionally a single package) and report the outcome.