run-acceptance-tests

hashicorp/agent-skills

Run acceptance tests for Terraform providers with guided diagnostics.

What is run-acceptance-tests?

This skill provides a guide for running Go-based acceptance tests (TestAcc prefix) for Terraform providers. Use it when you need to execute acceptance tests, diagnose failures, or validate test reliability.

Run focused acceptance tests with required TF_ACC=1 environment variable
Diagnose failing tests using progressive options: cache bypass, verbose output, debug logging, and workspace persistence
Flip passing tests to verify they actually catch failures
Handle provider-specific environment variable requirements
Execute tests with standard Go test command syntax

How to install run-acceptance-tests

npx skills add https://github.com/hashicorp/agent-skills --skill run-acceptance-tests

Prerequisites

Go installed and configured
Terraform provider source code
Provider-specific environment variables (varies by provider)

Claude Code

Cursor

Windsurf

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How to use run-acceptance-tests

1.Set TF_ACC=1 environment variable
2.Run go test -run=TestAccFeatureHappyPath (replace with your test name)
3.If test fails, add -count=1 to bypass cache and retry
4.If still failing, add -v flag for verbose output
5.If needed, set TF_LOG=debug for debug-level logging
6.If needed, set TF_ACC_WORKING_DIR_PERSIST=1 to preserve Terraform workspace for inspection

Use cases

Good for

Running a specific acceptance test like TestAccFeatureHappyPath during provider development
Troubleshooting a failing acceptance test by enabling debug logging and verbose output
Validating that an acceptance test properly detects failures by intentionally breaking it
Setting up required environment variables for provider-specific acceptance tests
Ensuring test results are not cached when re-running tests

Who it's for

Terraform provider developers
QA engineers testing Terraform providers
DevOps engineers validating infrastructure code

run-acceptance-tests FAQ

What does the TestAcc prefix mean?

TestAcc indicates an acceptance test—a Go test function that validates Terraform provider functionality against real or simulated infrastructure.

Why do I need to set TF_ACC=1?

TF_ACC=1 is required to enable acceptance test mode in Terraform. Without it, acceptance tests will be skipped.

What should I do if the test output says environment variables are missing?

The skill guides you to identify missing provider-specific environment variables from test output and suggests how to set them up securely.

How do I know if my acceptance test is actually working?

Use the flip test procedure: intentionally break a test assertion, run the test, and verify it fails. If it fails, undo the change—your test is working.

What does TF_ACC_WORKING_DIR_PERSIST=1 do?

It preserves the Terraform working directory after the test runs, allowing you to inspect the state and resources created during the test for debugging.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from hashicorp/agent-skills.

name: run-acceptance-tests description: Guide for running acceptance tests for a Terraform provider. Use this when asked to run an acceptance test or to run a test with the prefix `TestAcc`. license: MPL-2.0 metadata: copyright: Copyright IBM Corp. 2026 version: "0.0.1"

An acceptance test is a Go test function with the prefix TestAcc.

To run a focussed acceptance test named TestAccFeatureHappyPath:

Run go test -run=TestAccFeatureHappyPath with the following environment variables:
- TF_ACC=1
Default to non-verbose test output.
The acceptance tests may require additional environment variables for specific providers. If the test output indicates missing environment variables, then suggest how to set up these environment variables securely.

To diagnose a failing acceptance test, use these options, in order. These options are cumulative: each option includes all the options above it.

Run the test again. Use the -count=1 option to ensure that go test does not use a cached result.
Offer verbose go test output. Use the -v option.
Offer debug-level logging. Enable debug-level logging with the environment variable TF_LOG=debug.
Offer to persist the acceptance test's Terraform workspace. Enable persistance with the environment variable TF_ACC_WORKING_DIR_PERSIST=1.

A passing acceptance test may be a false negative. To "flip" a passing acceptance test named TestAccFeatureHappyPath:

Edit the value of one of the TestCheckFuncs in one of the TestSteps in the TestCase.
Run the acceptance test. Expect the test to fail.
If the test fails, then undo the edit and report a successful flip. Else, keep the edit and report an unsuccessful flip.