About route-tester
route-tester is an authenticated-route testing guide for developers working on your project, covering cookie-based JWT authentication. It describes an automation script, manual curl requests, and mock authentication limited to development and test environments.
Key features
- 01Test authenticated routes with a script
- 02Send authenticated requests manually with curl
- 03Mock authentication in development and test
- 04Test GET, write requests, and file uploads
- 05Troubleshoot common HTTP errors
Use cases
- 01Validate newly added or changed API routes
- 02Debug 401 and 403 authentication errors
- 03Check workflow endpoint requests and responses
- 04Verify database changes after route tests
Install
Copy the command and run it in a terminal.
npx skills add https:/ / github.com/ jackspace/ claudeskillz --skill route-testerAfter installing, type/route-testerin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.
Bundled filesSKILL.json
Details
From the project READMEyour project Route Tester Skill
Purpose
This skill provides patterns for testing authenticated routes in the your project using cookie-based JWT authentication.
When to Use This Skill
- Testing new API endpoints
- Validating route functionality after changes
- Debugging authentication issues
- Testing POST/PUT/DELETE operations
- Verifying request/response data
your project Authentication Overview
The your project uses:
- Keycloak for SSO (realm: yourRealm)
- Cookie-based JWT tokens (not Bearer headers)
- Cookie name:
refresh_token - JWT signing: Using secret from
config.ini
Testing Methods
Method 1: test-auth-route.js (RECOMMENDED)
The test-auth-route.js script handles all authentication complexity automatically.
Location: /root/git/your project_pre/scripts/test-auth-route.js
Basic GET Request
node scripts/test-auth-route.js http://localhost:3000/blog-api/api/endpoint
POST Request with JSON Data
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3000/blog-api/777/submit \
POST \
'{"responses":{"4577":"13295"},"submissionID":5,"stepInstanceId":"11"}'
What the Script Does
- Gets a refresh token from Keycloak
- Username:
testuser - Password:
testpassword
- Username:
- Signs the token with JWT secret from
config.ini - Creates cookie header:
refresh_token=<signed-token> - Makes the authenticated request
- Shows the exact curl command to reproduce manually
Script Output
The script outputs:
- The request details
- The response status and body
- A curl command for manual reproduction
Note: The script is verbose - look for the actual response in the output.
Method 2: Manual curl with Token
Use the curl command from the test-auth-route.js output:
# The script outputs something like:
# 💡 To test manually with curl:
# curl -b "refresh_token=eyJhbGci..." http://localhost:3000/blog-api/api/endpoint
# Copy and modify that curl command:
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/blog-api/777/submit \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-b "refresh_token=<COPY_TOKEN_FROM_SCRIPT_OUTPUT>" \
-d '{"your": "data"}'
Method 3: Mock Authentication (Development Only - EASIEST)
For development, bypass Keycloak entirely using mock auth.
Setup
# Add to service .env file (e.g., blog-api/.env)
MOCK_AUTH=true
MOCK_USER_ID=test-user
MOCK_USER_ROLES=admin,operations
Usage
curl -H "X-Mock-Auth: true" \
-H "X-Mock-User: test-user" \
-H "X-Mock-Roles: admin,operations" \
http://localhost:3002/api/protected
Mock Auth Requirements
Mock auth ONLY works when:
NODE_ENVisdevelopmentortest- The
mockAuthmiddleware is added to the route - Will NEVER work in production (security feature)
Common Testing Patterns
Test Form Submission
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3000/blog-api/777/submit \
POST \
'{"responses":{"4577":"13295"},"submissionID":5,"stepInstanceId":"11"}'
Test Workflow Start
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/workflow/start \
POST \
'{"workflowCode":"DHS_CLOSEOUT","entityType":"Submission","entityID":123}'
Test Workflow Step Completion
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/workflow/step/complete \
POST \
'{"stepInstanceID":789,"answers":{"decision":"approved","comments":"Looks good"}}'
Test GET with Query Parameters
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
"http://localhost:3002/api/workflows?status=active&limit=10"
Test File Upload
# Get token from test-auth-route.js first, then:
curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/upload \
-H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
-b "refresh_token=<TOKEN>" \
-F "file=@/path/to/file.pdf" \
-F "metadata={\"description\":\"Test file\"}"
Hardcoded Test Credentials
The test-auth-route.js script uses these credentials:
- Username:
testuser - Password:
testpassword - Keycloak URL: From
config.ini(usuallyhttp://localhost:8081) - Realm:
yourRealm - Client ID: From
config.ini
Service Ports
| Service | Port | Base URL |
|---|---|---|
| Users | 3000 | http://localhost:3000 |
| Projects | 3001 | http://localhost:3001 |
| Form | 3002 | http://localhost:3002 |
| 3003 | http://localhost:3003 | |
| Uploads | 5000 | http://localhost:5000 |
Route Prefixes
Check /src/app.ts in each service for route prefixes:
// Example from blog-api/src/app.ts
app.use('/blog-api/api', formRoutes); // Prefix: /blog-api/api
app.use('/api/workflow', workflowRoutes); // Prefix: /api/workflow
Full Route = Base URL + Prefix + Route Path
Example:
- Base:
http://localhost:3002 - Prefix:
/form - Route:
/777/submit - Full URL:
http://localhost:3000/blog-api/777/submit
Testing Checklist
Before testing a route:
- Identify the service (form, email, users, etc.)
- Find the correct port
- Check route prefixes in
app.ts - Construct the full URL
- Prepare request body (if POST/PUT)
- Determine authentication method
- Run the test
- Verify response status and data
- Check database changes if applicable
Verifying Database Changes
After testing routes that modify data:
# SECURITY WARNING: Never pass passwords directly in command line
# Use secure prompting instead:
# Option 1: Use password prompt (recommended)
docker exec -it local-mysql mysql -u root -p blog_dev
# Option 2: Use environment variable from secure source
export MYSQL_PWD=$(read -s -p "Enter MySQL root password: " && echo "$REPLY")
docker exec -i -e MYSQL_PWD=$MYSQL_PWD local-mysql mysql -u root blog_dev
unset MYSQL_PWD
# After connecting, check specific table:
mysql> SELECT * FROM WorkflowInstance WHERE id = 123;
mysql> SELECT * FROM WorkflowStepInstance WHERE instanceId = 123;
mysql> SELECT * FROM WorkflowNotification WHERE recipientUserId = 'user-123';
Debugging Failed Tests
401 Unauthorized
Possible causes:
- Token expired (regenerate with test-auth-route.js)
- Incorrect cookie format
- JWT secret mismatch
- Keycloak not running
Solutions:
# Check Keycloak is running
docker ps | grep keycloak
# Regenerate token
node scripts/test-auth-route.js http://localhost:3002/api/health
# Verify config.ini has correct jwtSecret
403 Forbidden
Possible causes:
- User lacks required role
- Resource permissions incorrect
- Route requires specific permissions
Solutions:
# Use mock auth with admin role
curl -H "X-Mock-Auth: true" \
-H "X-Mock-User: test-admin" \
-H "X-Mock-Roles: admin" \
http://localhost:3002/api/protected
404 Not Found
Possible causes:
- Incorrect URL
- Missing route prefix
- Route not registered
Solutions:
- Check
app.tsfor route prefixes - Verify route registration
- Check service is running (
pm2 list)
500 Internal Server Error
Possible causes:
- Database connection issue
- Missing required fields
- Validation error
- Application error
Solutions:
- Check service logs (
pm2 logs <service>) - Check Sentry for error details
- Verify request body matches expected schema
- Check database connectivity
Using auth-route-tester Agent
For comprehensive route testing after making changes:
- Identify affected routes
- Gather route information:
- Full route path (with prefix)
- Expected POST data
- Tables to verify
- Invoke auth-route-tester agent
The agent will:
- Test the route with proper authentication
- Verify database changes
- Check response format
- Report any issues
Example Test Scenarios
After Creating a New Route
# 1. Test with valid data
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/my-new-route \
POST \
'{"field1":"value1","field2":"value2"}'
# 2. Verify database
docker exec -i local-mysql mysql -u root -ppassword1 blog_dev \
-e "SELECT * FROM MyTable ORDER BY createdAt DESC LIMIT 1;"
# 3. Test with invalid data
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/my-new-route \
POST \
'{"field1":"invalid"}'
# 4. Test without authentication
curl http://localhost:3002/api/my-new-route
# Should return 401
After Modifying a Route
# 1. Test existing functionality still works
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/existing-route \
POST \
'{"existing":"data"}'
# 2. Test new functionality
node scripts/test-auth-route.js \
http://localhost:3002/api/existing-route \
POST \
'{"new":"field","existing":"data"}'
# 3. Verify backward compatibility
# Test with old request format (if applicable)
Configuration Files
config.ini (each service)
[keycloak]
url = http://localhost:8081
realm = yourRealm
clientId = app-client
[jwt]
jwtSecret = your-jwt-secret-here
.env (each service)
NODE_ENV=development
MOCK_AUTH=true # Optional: Enable mock auth
MOCK_USER_ID=test-user # Optional: Default mock user
MOCK_USER_ROLES=admin # Optional: Default mock roles
Key Files
/root/git/your project_pre/scripts/test-auth-route.js- Main testing script/blog-api/src/app.ts- Form service routes/notifications/src/app.ts- Email service routes/auth/src/app.ts- Users service routes/config.ini- Service configuration/.env- Environment variables
Related Skills
- Use database-verification to verify database changes
- Use error-tracking to check for captured errors
- Use workflow-builder for workflow route testing
- Use notification-sender to verify notifications sent