Test Plan: Application Shell¶

Version	Date	Author	Change Description
1.0	2025-09-11	Senior QA Lead	Initial Draft

1.0 Introduction¶

This document provides the testing strategy, scope, and test cases for Feature 02: Application Shell. The application shell is the core user interface framework that provides consistent navigation and structure for the user after they have successfully authenticated.

This plan is based on the requirements defined in:

docs/features/02-application-shell/index.md (BRD)
docs/features/02-application-shell/use_case.md (Use Cases)

2.0 Scope¶

2.1 In Scope¶

Verification of the static layout components: header, sidebar, and main content area.
Display of the logged-in user's identifying information (e.g., name or email) in the header.
Functionality of the user menu, including the logout button.
Dynamic rendering of navigation links in the sidebar based on the user's permissions.
Correct routing to feature pages when navigation links are clicked.
Display of a global loading indicator during page transitions or data fetching operations.

2.2 Out of Scope¶

The specific content within the pages loaded into the main content area (these will be tested in their respective feature test plans).
Authentication itself (covered in the test plan for Feature 01).
The underlying access control logic that determines permissions (this will be tested in the plan for Feature 04). This plan only verifies that the UI reacts to the permissions provided.

3.0 Test Strategy & Approach¶

Functional Testing: Testing will be performed by logging in with different user roles (e.g., an administrator vs. a standard user) to verify the UI components and navigation options are rendered correctly according to their permissions.
UI/UX Testing: Basic checks will be performed to ensure the layout is consistent and usable across supported browsers.
Test Environments: QA, Staging.
Test Data: A minimum of two test users with different permission sets will be required:
admin_user@example.com (with full permissions to see all navigation links).
standard_user@example.com (with a restricted set of permissions).

4.0 Test Environment Requirements¶

Backend Service: The AuthService must be deployed and running to provide user session and permission data.
Frontend Application: The web-based enterprise console must be deployed with the application shell feature fully implemented.
Supported Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (latest stable versions).
Database: The test database must contain the user accounts and associated roles/permissions as defined in the Test Data section.

5.0 Test Cases¶

5.1 Shell Layout and User Information¶

Test Case ID	User Story	Description	Steps	Expected Result
TC-SHELL-001	US-04	Happy Path: Verify the shell layout and user info for a full-permission user.	1. Log in as admin_user@example.com. \<br> 2. Observe the screen upon successful login.	The application shell is displayed correctly with a header, sidebar, and main content area. The user's identifier (admin_user@example.com) is visible in the header/user menu.
TC-SHELL-002	US-04	Functional: Verify the logout button within the user menu.	1. Log in as any user. \<br> 2. Click on the user menu in the header. \<br> 3. Click the "Logout" button.	The user is successfully logged out and redirected to the login page. The application shell is no longer visible.
TC-SHELL-003	US-04	UI: Verify the display of a global loading indicator.	1. Perform an action that requires data fetching (e.g., initial login or navigating to a data-heavy page). \<br> 2. Observe the UI during the data fetch.	A clear and non-intrusive loading indicator (e.g., a spinner or progress bar) is displayed globally while the application is waiting for data.

Test Case ID	User Story	Description	Steps	Expected Result
TC-SHELL-004	US-05	Permissions: Verify sidebar links for a full-permission user.	1. Log in as admin_user@example.com. \<br> 2. Inspect the navigation links in the sidebar.	The sidebar displays all navigation links available in the application, including administrative links like "User Management".
TC-SHELL-005	US-05	Permissions: Verify sidebar links for a restricted-permission user.	1. Log in as standard_user@example.com. \<br> 2. Inspect the navigation links in the sidebar.	The sidebar only displays the navigation links that the standard_user is permitted to access. Administrative links like "User Management" are not visible.
TC-SHELL-006	US-05	Functional: Verify correct routing when a sidebar link is clicked.	1. Log in as admin_user@example.com. \<br> 2. Click on the "User Management" navigation link in the sidebar.	The application navigates to the User Management page. The URL in the address bar updates accordingly, and the content in the main content area is replaced with the User Management feature UI.

6.0 UAT Scenarios¶

Scenario ID	User Story	Scenario Description	Acceptance Criteria
UAT-SHELL-01	US-04	A user needs to see a consistent and recognizable application frame after logging in.	When I log in, I can see a standard header with my username and a sidebar menu, which confirms I am in the system.
UAT-SHELL-02	US-05	A user needs to move between different parts of the application.	I can click on links in the sidebar menu, and it takes me to the correct page without having to log in again.
UAT-SHELL-03	US-05	An administrator and a regular user should have different navigation options.	When I log in as an administrator, I see more menu options (like User Management) than when I log in as a standard user. The menu is tailored to my role.

7.0 Entry & Exit Criteria¶

7.1 Entry Criteria¶

All development for Feature 01 (Authentication) and Feature 02 (Application Shell) is complete and deployed to the QA environment.
All related unit tests are passing.
The QA environment is stable and test user accounts are configured correctly.

7.2 Exit Criteria¶

All test cases in this plan have been executed.
100% of Critical and High severity defects are closed.
There are no open defects that prevent a user from navigating the application.
UAT has been successfully completed and signed off by stakeholders.