Create an Isolated Test Database
Automated tests should not modify your development or production database.
Create a separate test database.
For example:
MONGODB_TEST_URI=mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/rest_api_test
A separate database allows tests to create and delete test records without affecting normal application data.
For larger test suites, consider an isolated MongoDB instance or a dedicated test database per test worker.
Database Isolation
Never execute test cleanup commands against a production database. Verify the active database name before dropping collections or deleting test data.
.env.test
NODE_ENV=test
MONGODB_TEST_URI=mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/rest_api_test
JWT_SECRET=test-only-secretDefines environment variables for local automated testing. Never reuse production credentials or databases in tests.
Key Takeaways
Use a separate test database.
Do not run destructive tests against production.
Keep test configuration isolated.