Adding a JUnit test template in IntelliJ IDEA

A test template for JUnit tests doesn't exist out of the box for IntelliJ IDEA. Creating one is not complicated.

The goal is to create a simple template that will assist you when you need to write a test in JUnit. I want it to look something like this:

@Test
public void should_assert_a_behaviour() {
    // Given
    // Setup the system under test

    // When
    // Execute the system under test

    // Then
    // Assert that the expected change has occurred
}

To add it follow, these steps:

• Open 'Preferences' or 'Settings' (depending on your os)
• Open 'Live Templates'
• Select the group you want to store your template in. I will store it next to the template for a main, 'other'
• Click on the '+'
• Fill out the form at the bottom of the page
• Abbreviation: 'test'
• Description: 'A test template'
• Fill in the template test as above
• Define the context, expand 'Java', select 'Declaration'
• Click 'Ok'

To use the new template, just press cmd j or ctrl j (depending on your os) and select 'test'.

Resources

• IntelliJ IDEA - still the best Java editor available
• Thomas Sundberg - The author