I’m trying to modify the order or selection of test items in my Pytest suite using the pytest_collection_modifyitems hook. I want to understand how to implement this and in what scenarios it might be useful. Could you provide guidance or examples on how to effectively use this method?
Hey there! I’ve used pytest_collection_modifyitems to reorder my test items by priority. In your ‘conftest.py’ file, you can define the function pytest_collection_modifyitems and sort the items. For example, you can prioritize based on a custom marker or the name of the test. It’s especially useful when you want critical tests to run first. Start by fetching the tests with a specific marker, sort them, then append them back to the items list. It keeps your test suite organized.
I’ve had great success with pytest_collection_modifyitems by customizing test runs based on tags. One example was when we needed to separate quick tests from heavier ones. Within the pytest_collection_modifyitems hook in ‘conftest.py’, we filtered and reordered test items accordingly. This approach allowed us to run the fast tests immediately during development cycles, improving our efficiency. It’s a neat way to tailor test execution to our workflow needs!
In my project, I used pytest_collection_modifyitems to skip certain tests based on a condition. By checking certain environment variables, we dynamically modified the list of tests to be run. It’s done by popping items based on some conditions before the actual test run. It’s a lifesaver when you’re working in different environments and want to ensure only the relevant tests run. Just ensure you carefully manage how you modify the items to avoid skipping unintended tests.