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setup-integration-test-config

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Create SQL Tools Service integration test connection settings by generating SQLConnectionInstances XML, then running Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig to write sqlConnectionSettings.json in the user profile. Use when: setting up local integration tests, configuring SQL test credentials, preparing SQLConnectionInstances xml, generating sqlConnectionSettings.json, or setting up test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig.

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Setup integration test config

Set up local integration-test connection settings for SQL Tools Service by:

  1. Preparing an XML file with connection/auth info for required test instances.
  2. Running the Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig project with that XML.
  3. Producing sqlConnectionSettings.json at the user profile root and storing SQL passwords in credential storage.

When to use

  • User asks to set up integration test connection config.
  • User needs sqlConnectionSettings.json for integration tests.
  • User mentions SQLConnectionInstancesTemplate.xml or TestEnvConfig.

Ground truth in repo

This workflow is implemented and exercised in:

  • test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig/Program.cs
  • test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.Test.Common/TestConfigPersistenceHelper.cs
  • .github/workflows/integration-tests.yml and azure-pipelines/integration-tests.yml

Key behavior:

  • XML instances are read from the file passed to TestEnvConfig.
  • Each <Instance> must include VersionKey and DataSource.
  • UserId and Password are optional.
  • If environment variable <VersionKey>_password exists, it overrides <Password> from XML.
  • Output is written to user root as sqlConnectionSettings.json.
  • Passwords are removed from JSON and stored via test credential storage.

Required interaction with user

Always ask this first:

  • Do you already have credentials you want to use?
  • Or do you want me to provide T-SQL to create a test login/user on your test server?

If they already have credentials:

  • Ask for server host, auth type, username (if SQL auth), and whether they want one server for both sqlOnPrem and sqlAzure or separate servers.
  • Ask if the user wants to enter a local-only test password via chat, or if it's a real password that needs to be entered by them manually in the XML.

If they want T-SQL:

  • Provide SQL to create a login/user suitable for integration tests.
  • Then continue with XML setup using that login.

T-SQL template

Use this when user asks for SQL to create credentials. Replace placeholders first.

USE [master];
GO

IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM sys.sql_logins WHERE name = N'testAccount')
BEGIN
    CREATE LOGIN [testAccount] WITH PASSWORD = N'<StrongPasswordHere>', CHECK_POLICY = OFF;
END
GO

-- CI currently grants sysadmin for broad integration test coverage.
-- If your environment requires least privilege, scope permissions accordingly.
ALTER SERVER ROLE [sysadmin] ADD MEMBER [testAccount];
GO

XML template

Create a local file (for example test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig/SQLConnectionInstances.local.xml):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Instances>
  <Instance VersionKey="sqlOnPrem">
    <DataSource>localhost</DataSource>
    <UserId>testAccount</UserId>
    <Password></Password>
  </Instance>
  <Instance VersionKey="sqlAzure">
    <DataSource>localhost</DataSource>
    <UserId>testAccount</UserId>
    <Password></Password>
  </Instance>
</Instances>

Notes:

  • Keep VersionKey values as sqlOnPrem and sqlAzure unless tests are explicitly changed.
  • For integrated auth, omit UserId and Password.
  • Prefer env vars (sqlOnPrem_password, sqlAzure_password) over plaintext passwords.

Generate the integration test settings

From repo root (all platforms):

dotnet run --project test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig.csproj -- test/Microsoft.SqlTools.ServiceLayer.TestEnvConfig/SQLConnectionInstances.local.xml

Optional password override via env vars (recommended):

PowerShell:

$env:sqlOnPrem_password = '<password>'
$env:sqlAzure_password = '<password>'

bash/zsh:

export sqlOnPrem_password='<password>'
export sqlAzure_password='<password>'

Verification

  • Confirm command prints completion message.
  • Confirm profile-root file exists:
    • Windows: $env:USERPROFILE/sqlConnectionSettings.json
    • Linux/macOS: $HOME/sqlConnectionSettings.json
  • Confirm generated JSON has connection entries and no plaintext password fields.

Common pitfalls

  • Missing VersionKey on an <Instance>.
  • Using wrong env var names (must match <VersionKey>_password).
  • Assuming password stays in JSON (it is intentionally removed and stored in credential storage).
  • Forgetting to pass the XML path argument when running TestEnvConfig.

Expected assistant behavior

  • Ask the credentials-vs-T-SQL question first.
  • If credentials path is chosen, gather non-secret values and generate XML.
  • If T-SQL path is chosen, provide SQL first, then proceed to XML.
  • Run dotnet run ... TestEnvConfig.csproj -- <xml path>.
  • Report resulting sqlConnectionSettings.json path and what was generated.