Setting Up Jest for Next.js and Chakra UI: A Practical Battle-Tested Guide

Testing React applications can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. I recently spent some time wrestling with Jest configurations while setting up tests for a Next.js v15.1.1 project using Chakra UI v3.0.0.0.

After I followed through with Next.js Jest setup documentation the error messages I got seemed endless: “structuredClone is not defined,” “useContext returned undefined,” and the classic “unexpected token” warnings kept appearing. However, through persistence and careful debugging, I discovered a robust testing setup that I wish I had found earlier.

Let’s explore how to properly configure Jest for your Next.js v15.1.1 and Chakra UI 3.0.0.0 project, addressing those sneaky gotchas that aren’t covered in the official documentation.

The Foundation: Initial Setup

First, we set up our testing infrastructure as stated in the documentation but below is my preferred approach. We’ll need several packages working in harmony:

Now, The Magic Sauce: A Bulletproof Jest Configuration

Here’s where things get interesting. Creating a proper jest.config.ts isn’t just about copying and pasting — it’s about understanding each piece of the puzzle, here’s my configuration:

The Chakra UI remedy: Custom Test Utilities

One of the challenges I faced was the dreaded “ChakraProvider” error.

The solution? A custom render utility that wraps components in the necessary provider(s):

Battling the Beast: The other pitfalls I faced and solutions I used

1. The structuredClone Conundrum: this issue stems from trying to run tests with Chakra UI components, where structuredClone (a newer JavaScript API) that Chakra UI uses internally isn't available in the test environment.
   To remedy this I created a Jest setup file with an implementation of structuredClone polyfill and then updated my Jest configuration to use the setup file as you would have noticed in the jest.config.ts above.
   Now below is my jest.setup.ts setup:

2. I also faced Window matchMedia Missing in JSDOM error: To fix this I added a Window matchMedia mock to my jest.setup.ts setup :

As a bonus, we can also add an error-handling function to our jest.setup.ts setup for efficiency say something like what I have below you can tailor it to your preference:

With these tweaks and adjustments, you’re good to go with testing like a breeze.

Let’s look at how to test a Chakra UI component in action:

More Pro Tips:

1. Always use async/await with screen.findBy* queries for more reliable tests
2. Mock Chakra’s useColorMode hook when testing theme-related functionality
3. Use data-testid sparingly — prefer role and accessibility attributes
4. Remember to clean up after tests that modify the DOM.

Conclusion

Remember, testing isn’t just about catching bugs — it’s about building confidence in your code. By following these patterns, you’ll create a testing environment that’s both robust and maintainable.

The journey to perfect testing setup might be challenging, but with these tools and techniques, you’re well-equipped to handle whatever testing challenges come your way. Happy testing!

Note: structuredClone is a built-in browser API that creates deep copies of objects, but it needs to be polyfilled in Node.js environments

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