Filter Syntax
Reference-only filter syntax for VSTest and MTP with MSTest, NUnit, xUnit v3, and TUnit.
Install
npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill filter-syntax -g -a claude-code -y- Repository
- managedcode/dotnet-skills500
- Category
- Testing
- Updated
- 6d ago
- License
- MIT
- Context cost
- Lightabout 1,384 tokens
- Runs scripts
- No, instructions only
What it does
Reference-only filter syntax for VSTest and MTP with MSTest, NUnit, xUnit v3, and TUnit. Load only after the platform/framework is known and a consumer needs to create or translate a filter. Do not load for unfiltered runs or platform detection. Used by run-tests and mtp-hot-reload; never invoke directly.
Test Filter Syntax Reference
Filter syntax depends on the platform and test framework.
VSTest filters (MSTest, xUnit v2, NUnit on VSTest)
dotnet test --filter <EXPRESSION>
Expression syntax: <Property><Operator><Value>[|&<Expression>]
Operators:
| Operator | Meaning |
|---|---|
= | Exact match |
!= | Not exact match |
~ | Contains |
!~ | Does not contain |
Combinators: | (OR), & (AND). Parentheses for grouping: (A|B)&C
Supported properties by framework:
| Framework | Properties |
|---|---|
| MSTest | FullyQualifiedName, Name, ClassName, Priority, TestCategory |
| xUnit | FullyQualifiedName, DisplayName, Traits |
| NUnit | FullyQualifiedName, Name, Priority, TestCategory |
An expression without an operator is treated as FullyQualifiedName~<value>.
Examples (VSTest):
# Run tests whose name contains "LoginTest"
dotnet test --filter "Name~LoginTest"
# Run a specific test class
dotnet test --filter "ClassName=MyNamespace.MyTestClass"
# Run tests in a category
dotnet test --filter "TestCategory=Integration"
# Exclude a category
dotnet test --filter "TestCategory!=Slow"
# Combine: class AND category
dotnet test --filter "ClassName=MyNamespace.MyTestClass&TestCategory=Unit"
# Either of two classes
dotnet test --filter "ClassName=MyNamespace.ClassA|ClassName=MyNamespace.ClassB"
MTP filters, MSTest and NUnit
MSTest and NUnit on MTP use the same --filter syntax as VSTest (same properties, operators, and combinators). The only difference is how the flag is passed:
# .NET SDK 8/9 (after --)
dotnet test -- --filter "Name~LoginTest"
# .NET SDK 10+ (direct)
dotnet test --filter "Name~LoginTest"
MTP filters, xUnit (v3)
xUnit v3 on MTP uses framework-specific filter flags instead of the generic --filter expression:
