---
description: NEVER run apps/api mocha tests without NODE_ENV=test — drops dev MongoDB
alwaysApply: true
---

# Safe API test execution (CRITICAL)

Running mocha from `apps/api` without `NODE_ENV=test` **drops the developer MongoDB database** (`novu-db`).

## Why

`apps/api/.mocharc.json` loads `e2e/setup.ts` for **every** mocha run. That file calls `dropDatabase()` in `before()` and `after()`:

- `NODE_ENV=test` → loads `.env.test` → `MONGO_URL=.../novu-test` (safe)
- `NODE_ENV` unset / `local` → loads `.env` → `MONGO_URL=.../novu-db` (**wipes all dev data**)

This is not hypothetical — it has happened in this repo.

## Agent MUST

1. **Never** run `mocha`, `pnpm test`, or any test command under `apps/api` without `NODE_ENV=test`.
2. For **isolated unit specs** (e.g. `*.spec.ts` renderers), prefer `--no-config` so `.mocharc.json` does not load `e2e/setup.ts` at all.
3. **Never** run worker/ws e2e setups against dev DB either — they use `dalService.destroy()` under `NODE_ENV=test` only; still require `NODE_ENV=test`.

## Safe commands

```bash
# Official test script (already sets NODE_ENV=test)
cd apps/api && pnpm test

# Single unit spec — NO e2e harness, NO dropDatabase
cd apps/api && cross-env NODE_ENV=test NOVU_ENTERPRISE=true CLERK_ENABLED=true \
  npx mocha --no-config --timeout 30000 --require ts-node/register --exit \
  'src/path/to/file.spec.ts'
```

## Forbidden

```bash
# ❌ NEVER — loads e2e/setup.ts and drops novu-db
npx mocha 'src/**/*.spec.ts'

# ❌ NEVER — same problem without NODE_ENV=test
npx mocha --require ts-node/register 'src/foo.spec.ts'
```

If you need to verify test logic without mocha, use a targeted script with `--no-config` or run via `pnpm test` with the official env vars — never raw mocha from `apps/api` without both safeguards.