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Introduction

Laravel provides first-class support for testing database-driven applications. You can combine database reset traits, model factories, and test-specific assertions to write fast and reliable feature tests. In most cases, start with RefreshDatabase. It keeps tests isolated while remaining faster than fully rebuilding the database every time.

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Resetting the database after each test

To prevent data from one test affecting another test, use one of Laravel’s database reset traits. 
<?php

use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;

uses(RefreshDatabase::class);

test('basic example', function () {
    $response = $this->get('/');

    $response->assertOk();
});
RefreshDatabase checks whether the database schema is already up to date. If it is, Laravel runs each test in a transaction. If it is not, Laravel runs migrations first. If you need a full reset strategy instead of transaction-based isolation, use the following traits:
TraitBehaviorWhen to use
RefreshDatabaseUses transactions if schema is current; migrates when neededDefault choice for most test suites
DatabaseMigrationsRuns migrations for each testWhen you need migration-level lifecycle behavior in every test
DatabaseTruncationTruncates tables between testsWhen transactions are not suitable and truncation fits your DB workflow

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Model factories

Before asserting behavior, you often need test data. Laravel model factories provide expressive defaults for creating Eloquent models. For full factory definitions and advanced states / relationships, see Eloquent Factories. 
<?php

use App\Models\User;

test('models can be instantiated', function () {
    $user = User::factory()->create();

    expect($user->exists)->toBeTrue();
});

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Running seeders

Use the seed() method to populate data during tests. Without arguments, it runs DatabaseSeeder. You can also run a specific seeder class or an array of classes. 
<?php

use Database\Seeders\OrderStatusSeeder;
use Database\Seeders\TransactionStatusSeeder;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;

uses(RefreshDatabase::class);

test('orders can be created', function () {
    $this->seed();

    $this->seed(OrderStatusSeeder::class);

    $this->seed([
        OrderStatusSeeder::class,
        TransactionStatusSeeder::class,
    ]);

    // ...
});
You may also seed automatically for tests using RefreshDatabase by using attributes: 
<?php

namespace Tests;

use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\Attributes\Seed;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\TestCase as BaseTestCase;

#[Seed]
abstract class TestCase extends BaseTestCase
{
}
To run a specific seeder automatically, use #[Seeder(...)]: 
<?php

namespace Tests\Feature;

use Database\Seeders\OrderStatusSeeder;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\Attributes\Seeder;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
use Tests\TestCase;

#[Seeder(OrderStatusSeeder::class)]
class OrderStatusTest extends TestCase
{
    use RefreshDatabase;
}

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Available assertions

Laravel provides dedicated database assertions for both Pest and PHPUnit feature tests.

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assertDatabaseCount

Assert that a table contains the expected number of records. 
$this->assertDatabaseCount('users', 5);

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assertDatabaseEmpty

Assert that a table contains no records. 
$this->assertDatabaseEmpty('users');

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assertDatabaseHas

Assert that a table contains records matching the given attributes. 
$this->assertDatabaseHas('users', [
    'email' => '[email protected]',
]);

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assertDatabaseMissing

Assert that a table does not contain records matching the given attributes. 
$this->assertDatabaseMissing('users', [
    'email' => '[email protected]',
]);

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assertSoftDeleted

Assert that the given model has been soft deleted. 
$this->assertSoftDeleted($user);

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assertNotSoftDeleted

Assert that the given model has not been soft deleted. 
$this->assertNotSoftDeleted($user);

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assertModelExists

Assert that the given model (or collection of models) exists in the database. 
<?php

use App\Models\User;

$user = User::factory()->create();

$this->assertModelExists($user);

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assertModelMissing

Assert that the given model (or collection of models) does not exist in the database. 
<?php

use App\Models\User;

$user = User::factory()->create();
$user->delete();

$this->assertModelMissing($user);

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expectsDatabaseQueryCount

Call this at the beginning of a test to assert the exact total number of database queries executed. 
$this->expectsDatabaseQueryCount(5);

// Test...
Last modified on May 29, 2026