> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cover-docs-preview.diffblue.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cover-docs-preview.diffblue.com/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests.md).

# Writing tests

How to write tests using Cover Plugin for IntelliJ

To write tests using Cover Plugin for IntelliJ:

<table><thead><tr><th width="226">IntelliJ</th><th>Action</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Editor Panel</td><td>Click the <img src="https://452101454-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVZk2xV5wG8SQrB4v79J8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-675828c7c925ab0da8312e3d1c7f10ff094e639e%2Fwritetestslight.png?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"> <a href="/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/testability-icons.md">Write Tests gutter icon</a>.</td></tr><tr><td>Editor Panel</td><td>Right-click a method or class and select <code>Write Tests</code>.</td></tr><tr><td>Editor Panel</td><td>Select <code>Diffblue</code> > <code>Write Tests</code> from the <a href="/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/write-tests-menu-option.md#diffblue-menu-bar">IntelliJ menu</a>.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/write-tests-menu-option.md#project-tool-window">Project Tool Window</a></td><td>Right-click a folder or file and select <code>Write Tests</code>.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/write-tests-menu-option.md#structure-tool-window">Structure Tool Window</a></td><td>Right-click a method or class and select <code>Write Tests</code>.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/run-configurations.md">Run Configurations</a></td><td>Select <code>Run > Edit Configurations</code> from the IntelliJ menu.</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
Once started, if you need to cancel the test writing process at any point, click the red **Stop** button in the [Cover Plugin tool window](/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/diffblue-cover-tool-window.md).
{% endhint %}

In general, if the **Write Tests** option is available then Cover Plugin can write tests for your methods or classes. However:

* If it is not possible for Cover to write a complete test, instead a partial test may be created - see [Creating partial tests](/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/partial-tests.md).
* If you don't want to write a complete test, Cover Plugin can help set up your tests by creating a skeleton test instead - see [Creating skeleton tests](/features/cover-plugin/writing-tests/skeleton-tests.md).