> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.elentra.org/technical/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.elentra.org/technical/developers/troubleshooting/testing-with-codeception/unit-testing/phpunit-testing-for-api.md).
# PHPUnit Testing for API
### Step 1 - Starting Docker Container
From the `~/Documents/elentra-developer` directory enter:
```
docker-compose up
```
This will start all relevant containers.
### Step 2 - Seeding the database
From the `~/Documents/elentra-developer` directory, shell into the docker container:
```
./developer shell
```
This will open a Command Line Interface (CLI) inside the virtual server To seed the database, run the Elentra seed script (**WARNING**: you will lose data in existing databases and the contents of your `config.inc.php` file):
```
install-elentra
```
this will drop all the databases, recreate them, and seed the database tables with data from the Seeder classes.
### Step 3 - Creating a PHP Unit Test
Inside the `elentra-1x-api/tests` directory, go into either the `Functional` or `Unit` directory (please ensure what type of test you are creating or it will be rejected during code review if it's in the wrong directory), create a new file. eg:
```
locationsService = $this->app->make('Entrada\Modules\Locations\Services\LocationsService');
}
/**
* @test
* @return void
*/
public function baseTest() : void {
$locations = $this->locationsService->listall();
$this->assertEquals($locations, ClinicalLocationsSeedData::getClinicalLocations());
}
}
```
The `setUp()` method will instantiate any objects required for running tests. These are created by specifying the complete namespace path to the file itself.
the test methods must have the annotation for a test in the comment block:
```
/**
* Set parameters for submission
* @test
*/
```
Without this, the method will be ignored when the tests are run.
### Step 4 - Running php unit
from the `/var/www/vhosts/elentra-1x-api` directory, type in:
```
composer test
```
This will run all Functional and Integration tests.
To test a single file, type:
```
composer test-single
```
### Troubleshooting
Make sure your `elentra-1x-api/phpunit.xml` has test suites for both Functional AND Integration specified:
```
./tests/Functional
./tests/Integration
```