# 2022-05-02

## Skeleton Tests now available in the Diffblue Cover IntelliJ plugin

Skeleton tests are intended as a helpful starting point for users to write their own tests. They simply consist of a call to the method under test, with all variables initialized to `null` or zero, and TODO comments reminding the user to populate the “arrange” section and write some assertions.

There are two ways of creating skeleton tests in the Diffblue Cover IntelliJ plugin:

* Directly, by selecting `Write Skeleton Tests` when right-clicking on {: width="21" height="22"} or a method name. Diffblue Cover creates a single skeleton test for the method, and does not analyse your code.
* Indirectly, via the usual "Write Tests" request. Diffblue Cover analyses the method and related classes to write tests. If Diffblue Cover is unable to write complete tests (or partial tests if this option is enabled), it falls back to offering a single skeleton test for the method instead. This means that Diffblue Cover always creates at least one test for all your methods.

{: width="735" height="451"}

For further information, and an example of a skeleton test, please see our documentation at: [/knowledge-base/intellij/skeleton-tests/](https://github.com/diffblue/website-docs/blob/develop/knowledge-base/intellij/skeleton-tests/README.md)

## Developer Edition trial available

We are delighted to now offer a 14-day trial version of our Developer Edition, which includes the Diffblue Cover CLI, as part of our new licensing option. We're really excited that you can now "try before you buy"! To download your trial of Diffblue Cover Developer Edition, please [click here](https://www.diffblue.com/try-cover?cover_plan_selected=Developer). Full information on all our options is also available [here](https://diffblue.com/pricing).

## How do I automatically maintain all of these tests?

![](https://info.diffblue.com/hubfs/PluginPopup/ci-workflow.gif)

Use Diffblue Cover on any CI platform to automatically update your unit tests and catch regressions for every commit - watch [this video](https://www.diffblue.com/video-demo/?utm_source=Plugin\&utm_medium=Whatsnew\&utm_campaign=WhatsNewBox) to learn more.

## Enhancements

* CLI: Cover is now installable on Windows via a GUI or unattended installer. \[Ref: TG-16791]
* CLI: Cover now provides a `--keep-partial-tests` option which delivers incomplete tests in situations where Cover was not able to produce a full test. See the (CLI User Manual)\[/knowledge-base/cli/] for more details. \[Ref: TG-17109]
* Cover now provides improved guidance if `R026` (Failed to create Spring context) is encountered whilst writing tests. \[Ref: TG-17038]
* Cover now provides improved guidance if `R013` (No inputs found that don't throw a trivial exception) is encountered whilst writing tests. \[Ref: TG-17037]
* IntelliJ Plugin: Cover now provides a 'Write Skeleton Tests' button. See the [Skeleton Tests Documentation](https://github.com/diffblue/website-docs/blob/develop/knowledge-base/intellij/skeleton-tests/README.md) for more details. \[Ref: TG-16581]

## Resolved Issues

* Resolved an issue which, for projects configured with `license-maven-plugin` (and `spotless-maven-plugin`), caused Cover to report `E084` (JaCoCo command failed). \[Ref: TG-16970]
* Resolved an issue which caused Cover to incorrectly include a `Diffblue Cover was unable to write a Spring test` comment when a Spring test had been written. \[Ref: TG-16958]

## Known Issues

* CLI: The command `dcover clean --failing` does not work on Gradle projects. This command is now deprecated and `dcover validate` should be used instead. \[Ref: TG-11707]
* IntelliJ Plugin: If all partial tests are disabled via the plugin settings, or 'Write Skeleton Tests' is used, Cover may write `@DataJpaTest`s with missing `properties` setup. \[Ref: TG-17175]


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