---
title: "Testing — Messages for Laravel | Roundly"
description: "Messages::fake() records every operation for assertions, plus factory states, the InteractsWithMessaging trait and Pest expectations."
url: https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/messages-for-laravel/testing
language: en
---

[All packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source.md)

[Messages for Laravel](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/messages-for-laravel.md)

# Testing

## Faking with Messages::fake()

Messages::fake() swaps in a recording fake and returns it as the handle for your assertions:

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Facades\Messages;

$fake = Messages::fake();

$alice->sendMessageTo($thread, 'Hi');                          // model traits are recorded too
Messages::thread($thread)->rename('Launch', by: $alice);

$fake->assertSent('Hi', to: $thread);
$fake->assertThreadRenamed($thread, to: 'Launch');
$fake->assertNothingDeleted();
```

The fake is a MessagesManager subtype, so constructor-injected managers receive it too. It still performs every operation — rows are written, events fire — and records each one that succeeds, whichever door it came through: the facade, an injected manager, the builders, the handles, the HasMessaging trait, Thread::markReadFor() and typing(), Participant::markAsRead(), the InteractsWithMessaging helpers or the messages:prune command. Work an action does on its own behalf — the participants start() adds, system messages — is not recorded separately, and actions you call directly bypass the fake.

## Every assertion

Each assertion has an assertNothing… counterpart. Optional arguments narrow the match; models are compared with Model::is():

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Enums\ParticipantRole;

$fake->assertThreadCreated('Launch');              // start()->create(), or a direct() that created one
$fake->assertNothingCreated();

$fake->assertSent('Hi', to: $thread);              // both arguments optional
$fake->assertSentCount(2);
$fake->assertNothingSent();

$fake->assertThreadRenamed($thread, to: 'Launch crew');
$fake->assertNothingRenamed();

$fake->assertThreadArchived($thread);
$fake->assertNothingArchived();

$fake->assertMarkedRead($thread, by: $bob);
$fake->assertNothingMarkedRead();

$fake->assertTyping($thread, $bob);
$fake->assertNothingTyping();

$fake->assertParticipantAdded($thread, $carol);    // new rows only, not a re-add
$fake->assertNothingAdded();

$fake->assertParticipantRemoved($thread, $carol);  // remove() or leave()
$fake->assertNothingRemoved();

$fake->assertRoleChanged($thread, $carol, ParticipantRole::Admin);
$fake->assertNothingRoleChanged();

$fake->assertOwnershipTransferred($thread, to: $bob);
$fake->assertNothingTransferred();

$fake->assertEdited($message, 'fixed typo');
$fake->assertNothingEdited();

$fake->assertDeleted($message);
$fake->assertNothingDeleted();

$fake->assertPruned(days: 30);                    // Messages::prune() or the messages:prune command
$fake->assertNothingPruned();
```

assertThreadCreated() also counts a direct() that had to create its thread, and assertParticipantAdded() counts new rows only, never a re-add. For custom checks, recorded() returns every recorded MessagingCall, optionally filtered by operation:

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Enums\MessagingOperation;

$sends = $fake->recorded(MessagingOperation::Send);   // list<MessagingCall>, in call order

$sends[0]->thread;   // the Thread
$sends[0]->text;     // the body
$sends[0]->result;   // the Message the call returned
```

## Factory states

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Enums\ParticipantRole;
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Models\Message;
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Models\Participant;
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Models\Thread;

$thread = Thread::factory()->public()->create();   // also ->private(), ->direct(), ->open()

Message::factory()->inThread($thread)->system()->create();

Participant::factory()->inThread($thread)->owner()->read()->create();
Participant::factory()->inThread($thread)->role(ParticipantRole::Admin)->unread()->create();
```

Participant factories default to a participant\_type of user with a random id — pass participant\_type and participant\_id for a real model. read() leaves the row as Messages::markRead() would: the pointer on the thread’s newest message and read\_at stamped; unread() clears both.

## Helpers and Pest expectations

For host-app test suites, the InteractsWithMessaging trait adds fluent helpers — all through the manager, so the fake records them — and MessageExpectations registers Pest expectations:

```php
// tests/Pest.php
RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Testing\MessageExpectations::register();

// in a test
uses(RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Testing\InteractsWithMessaging::class);

$thread = $this->startConversation($alice, $bob);
$this->actingAsParticipant($alice)->sendMessageAs($thread, 'Hi');

expect($thread)
    ->toHaveSentMessage('Hi')
    ->toHaveParticipant($bob)
    ->toHaveUnread($bob)
    ->toHaveRole($alice, ParticipantRole::Owner);

expect($reply)->toBeReplyTo($original);
```

- actingAsParticipant($model) — remember the actor for sendMessageAs() and markReadAs().
- startConversation(...$models) — a group thread, the first model as owner.
- directThread($a, $b) — find or create the DM.
- sendMessageAs($thread, $body, ?$actor) and markReadAs($thread, ?$actor) — throw if no actor is set or passed.
- toHaveSentMessage(?$body), toHaveParticipant(), toHaveUnread(), toHaveRole() on a Thread; toBeReplyTo() on a Message.

## A complete test

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Messages\Testing\InteractsWithMessaging;

uses(InteractsWithMessaging::class);

it('tracks unread state in a direct thread', function () {
    $alice = User::factory()->create();
    $bob = User::factory()->create();

    $thread = $this->directThread($alice, $bob);
    $this->actingAsParticipant($alice)->sendMessageAs($thread, 'Hi Bob');

    expect($thread)
        ->toHaveSentMessage('Hi Bob')
        ->toHaveUnread($bob);

    $this->markReadAs($thread, $bob);

    expect($bob->unreadCount())->toBe(0);
});
```

## Show your open-source love

This package is free and MIT-licensed. If it saves you time, a one-off donation or a Patreon membership keeps it maintained, tested and documented.

[More ways to support, including crypto](https://roundly-consulting.com/support-us.md)

By donating, you agree to our [donation terms](https://roundly-consulting.com/donation-terms.md).

[Support our open source work (opens in a new tab)](https://donate.stripe.com/dRmeVe8FX5PF1Qd9pXcEw00) [Join us on Patreon (opens in a new tab)](https://www.patreon.com/cw/roundly)

## Want this built into your product?

We integrate our packages into custom Laravel and AI builds. Tell us what you're working on and we'll reply within 48 hours.

[Get a quote in 48 hours](https://roundly-consulting.com/contact.md) [Browse all packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/messages-for-laravel.md)