When should I use this instead of example-based unit tests?

Use this skill when testing complex logic like parsers, serialization, or stateful systems where it is impossible to manually write enough unit tests to cover every possible edge case.

What is property-based testing?

Property-based testing is a testing methodology where you define general properties (invariants) that should always be true for your code, and the testing framework automatically generates a wide range of inputs to try and find cases where those properties fail.

Does this skill support smart contracts?

Yes, it provides specific guidance for identifying and testing invariants within smart contracts, drawing on Trail of Bits' extensive experience in blockchain security.

How does this skill improve code security?

By focusing on validation patterns and boundary conditions, this skill helps identify vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows, logic errors, and unexpected state transitions that traditional tests might overlook.

Property-Based Testing

Name: Property-Based Testing
Author: plurigrid

byplurigrid

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Security & Testing

Implements advanced property-based testing strategies to ensure code correctness and security through comprehensive input exploration and invariant validation.

About

Developed by security experts at Trail of Bits, this skill provides specialized guidance for implementing property-based testing (PBT) across various programming languages and smart contracts. It moves beyond traditional example-based testing by helping you define invariant properties, review complex serialization or parsing logic, and identify critical edge cases that standard unit tests often miss. This skill is essential for developers designing high-stakes features, performing security audits, or validating complex data transformation patterns where robust coverage is mandatory.

Key Features

Smart contract invariant identification and testing
Transition frameworks from example-based to property-based suites
Serialization and validation pattern auditing
Multi-language property-based testing strategy guidance
2 GitHub stars
Edge case discovery for complex data parsing logic

Use Cases

Hardening smart contract logic against edge-case exploits and state violations
Identifying hidden bugs in stateful systems through randomized property exploration
Validating complex data parsers and serialization libraries for robustness

About

Key Features

Smart contract invariant identification and testing
Transition frameworks from example-based to property-based suites
Serialization and validation pattern auditing
Multi-language property-based testing strategy guidance
2 GitHub stars
Edge case discovery for complex data parsing logic

Use Cases

Hardening smart contract logic against edge-case exploits and state violations
Identifying hidden bugs in stateful systems through randomized property exploration
Validating complex data parsers and serialization libraries for robustness