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How can I do automated testing in business central for app source

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Posted on by Alina Fahim Ibrahim

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Can anyone can elaborate the whole process that how can I do automated testing for deploying the extension on app source?

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Saif Ali Sabri

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To implement automated testing in Dynamics 365 Business Central for an extension you plan to publish on AppSource, you need to follow a structured process that aligns with Microsoft’s requirements and best practices. Below is a complete solution for setting up, writing, and executing automated tests for your Business Central extension.

✅ Solution: End-to-End Automated Testing for AppSource Deployment
1. Understand the AppSource Submission Requirements
AppSource submissions must include automated tests using AL test codeunits. Microsoft will run your test app in their validation pipeline.
Key requirements:

Include a separate test app (.app file).
Tests must cover your extension’s core functionality.
Tests must execute without manual intervention.

2. Set Up Your Development Environment
Prerequisites:

Visual Studio Code
AL Language extension
Docker (with Business Central sandbox images)
Business Central container helper (PowerShell module)
Test libraries from Microsoft

Steps:
powershell CopyEdit
# Pull and run a testable container
New-BcContainer -accept_eula `
                -containerName "testcontainer" `
                -artifactUrl (Get-BcArtifactUrl -type Sandbox -country "w1") `
                -auth NavUserPassword `
                -includeTestToolkit `
                -updateHosts

3. Create a Separate Test App
Structure your solution:
bash   CopyEdit
MyExtension/
├── app/
│   └── source/
│       └── ... (main app AL files)
├── test/
│   ├── app.json
│   ├── launch.json
│   └── source/
│       └── Codeunit50100.MyTests.al

The test app depends on:
- Your main app (app.json → dependencies)
- Microsoft’s test libraries (TestLibraries)

json CopyEdit
"test": "true",
"dependencies": [
{
    "id": "YourExtension-ID",
    "publisher": "YourPublisher",
    "name": "YourAppName",
    "version": "1.0.0.0"
},
{
    "id": "23de40a6-dfe8-4f80-80db-d70f83ce8caf",
    "publisher": "Microsoft",
    "name": "Test Runner",
    "version": "22.0.0.0"
}
]

4. Write Test Codeunits Using AL
Use Microsoft’s test framework (Assert, TestRunner, etc.)
Example test codeunit:
al CopyEdit
codeunit 50100 "My Test Codeunit"
{
    Subtype = Test;

    [Test]
    procedure TestMyFunctionality()
    var
        MyRecord: Record "My Table";
    begin
        MyRecord.Insert();
        Assert.IsTrue(MyRecord.IsInserted(), 'Record should be inserted.');
    end;
}
Tips:

Use [Test] attribute
Use Assert methods to validate behavior
Create tests that do not require UI interaction

5. Run and Validate Tests Locally
Use Docker and the Test Runner to execute tests:
powershell CopyEdit
Invoke-NavContainerCodeunit -containerName "testcontainer" `
                            -tenant default `
                            -codeunitId 50100 `
                            -credential $credential
Or use the AL Test Tool in VS Code:

Ctrl+Shift+P > AL: Run Test Tool
Select test codeunits and run them

6. Prepare the .app Files for Submission
For AppSource submission:

One .app file for your main extension
One .app file for your test app

🔹 Package the test app with only what's needed to test your extension – no test data, no dependencies outside of Microsoft libraries and your app.

7. Submit to AppSource (Partner Center)

Upload both .app files
Complete the technical validation steps
Microsoft will automatically run your tests in a containerized environment

You must ensure:

All tests pass without errors
No user prompts
No failures on fresh install/uninstall scenarios

🔍 Additional Tips

Use TestPage objects to simulate user interactions if needed.
Validate positive and negative scenarios.
Clean up test data within each test.

✅ Summary

Step	Description
1	Understand AppSource test requirements
2	Set up BC test container with test toolkit
3	Create a separate test app project
4	Write AL test codeunits using [Test] methods
5	Run and validate tests locally
6	Package .app files (main + test)
7	Submit to AppSource with passing tests

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RockwithNav 8,963 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Normally I use to define this and then take care of all the error messages.

{

"al.enableCodeAnalysis": true,

"al.codeAnalyzers": ["${AppSourceCop}","${CodeCop}","${UICop}"],

"al.ruleSetPath": "./alrules.json",

}

Blog - rockwithnav.wordpress.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RockwithNav
Facebook - https://facebook.com/rockwithnav/

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Gerardo Rentería Ga... 25,555 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi, good day
I hope this can help you, and give you some hints.

Test the advanced sample extension - Business Central | Microsoft Learn

20230612 - Real Life Experience With Test Automation - testing install code

.Automated Testing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central | Business & Other | Paperback

Best Regards
Gerardo

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YUN ZHU 99,090 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi, hope the following helps as well.

https://simplanova.com/blog/dynamics-365-business-central-al-automated-tests/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKfRVWJckr8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_vFGarjXv0

Thanks.

ZHU

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Sohail Ahmed 11,169 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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This might give you a hint to find your solution

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extension-advanced-example-test

Mark below checkbox to make this answer Verified if it helps you.

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Alina Fahim Ibrahim 204 on at

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I am unable to download symbols with test runner dependency in app.json. What should I do?

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Khushbu Rajvi. 22,132 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hope this help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKfRVWJckr8

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-test-automation/

https://community.dynamics.com/forums/thread/details/?threadid=c080115b-75a2-40cc-9837-1c44e1e6b830

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Jeffrey Bulanadi 9,112 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi Alina,

I’ve put together a sample project showcasing a full setup for automated testing and validation of Business Central extensions for AppSource submission.

It includes:

A sample extension with automated tests

An Azure DevOps pipeline configuration to manage the validation process

https://github.com/jeffreybulanadi/D365-BusinessCentral-Community-Solutions/tree/main/AL-Extensions/AppSourcePipelineValidation

If you find this helpful, feel free to mark my answer as verified and suggested!

Cheers,

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YUN ZHU 99,090 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi, Did you test it on the cloud?
As of now, some of the test apps are not available in SaaS Sandbox. It is recommended to test in Docker version.

More details:

https://community.dynamics.com/forums/thread/details/?threadid=556731de-52f7-ee11-a1fe-00224827ee71

Hope this helps as well.

Thanks.

ZHU

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