# helper.getNode return null
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833
**Category:** General
**Tags:** node-red-node-test-helper
**Created:** [19 December 2023 12:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833 "2023-12-19T12:53:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Zafar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Zafar)
#### Post date: [19 December 2023 12:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/1 "2023-12-19T12:53:36Z")
Hi all,
I am trying to develop unit test for my node-red flows.
However i am facing issue with helper.getNode() function.
It returns null after passing node\_id. These node id's are correctly retrieved using loadFlowFile() function and you can see the node-id's in output code.
```auto
import "mocha";
import { expect } from "chai";
import * as sinon from "sinon";
const requiredNodes = [
require("../node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/20-inject.js"),
require("../node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/21-debug.js"),
require("../node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/function/10-function.js"),
require("../node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/function/10-switch.js"),
require("../node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/function/89-delay.js"),
];
describe("Node-RED flow test", () => {
const helper = require("node-red-node-test-helper");
let inputNodeIds: string[] = [];
let outputNodeIds: string[] = [];
function loadFlowFile() {
const flow: any[] = require("../src/flows.json");
flow.forEach((node) => {
console.log(" Node Is = ",node)
if (node.type === "inject") {
inputNodeIds[inputNodeIds.length] = node.id;
node.type = "helper";
}
if (node.type === "debug") {
outputNodeIds[outputNodeIds.length] = node.id;
node.type = "helper";
}
});
return flow;
}
before(() => {
helper.init(require.resolve('node-red'));
});
beforeEach((done) => {
helper.startServer(done);
});
afterEach((done) => {
helper.unload().then(() => {
helper.stopServer(done);
});
})
function runFirstTest(done: Mocha.Done) {
const flow = loadFlowFile();
helper.load(requiredNodes, flow, () => {
console.log("Input Node IDs = ",inputNodeIds)
console.log("Output Node IDs = ",outputNodeIds)
helper.getNode()
const inputNode = helper.getNode(inputNodeIds[0]);
const outputNode = helper.getNode(outputNodeIds[0]);
console.log("Input Node = ",inputNode)
console.log("Output Node = ",outputNode)
outputNode.on("input", (msg: any) => {
try {
expect(msg.payload).to.equal("payload contains 0")
done();
} catch (e) {
done(e);
}
});
inputNode.wires[0].forEach((wire: string) => {
const node = helper.getNode(wire);
console.log(" Node = ",node)
node.receive({ payload: 123450 });
})
});
}
it("should send 'payload contains 0' when the first digit is 0", (done) => {
runFirstTest(done);
});
```
The Output is
```auto
Input Node IDs = []
Output Node IDs = [
'864ca23480dcda54',
'a07686b6eb1759d0',
'c4157b49eec5e27f',
'f27933cd8c9c2013',
'0fde90d316a166df',
'58f74f3fde83e4d0',
'439bbc55aa2305aa',
'5eb780a53e7b079d',
'e513449f80346d83'
]
Input Node = null
Output Node = null
1) should send 'payload contains 0' when the first digit is 0
0 passing (2s)
1 failing
1) Node-RED flow test
should send 'payload contains 0' when the first digit is 0:
Error: Timeout of 2000ms exceeded. For async tests and hooks, ensure "done()" is called; if returning a Promise, ensure it resolves. (C:\Users\Abbad Zafar\Desktop\node-red\node-red-email\test\flow-test.ts)
```
---
### Author:  [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)
#### Post date: [19 December 2023 13:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/2 "2023-12-19T13:02:48Z")
Welcome @Zafar
> [@Zafar](#):
>
> I am trying to develop unit test for my node-red flows.
Can you confirm whether you’re trying to develop flows or custom nodes for node red?
The package is for custom node development, not flows
---
### Author:  [@Zafar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Zafar)
#### Post date: [19 December 2023 13:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/3 "2023-12-19T13:06:27Z")
Hi, @marcus-j-davies . Yes, i am trying to test the nodes for node-red
---
### Author:  [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)
#### Post date: [19 December 2023 13:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/4 "2023-12-19T13:08:04Z")
Ok, as your developing your own custom node modules - i have recategorised this post
I’m just about to head out - but a member of the forums may be around.
---
### Author:  [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)
#### Post date: [19 December 2023 15:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/5 "2023-12-19T15:20:04Z")
@Zafar
I don't see where you are loading your custom node?
are you sure this is for your **own custom nodes** , as in you have developed nodes that users can install?
As I said, this package is for developers, developing node modules for Node RED, not writing flows.
Example: I don't see a `require` for your custom written node 🤷♂️
I have moved this back out of **Developing Nodes** , unless I can be corrected, apologies if so.
Maybe this is what you are looking for?
> **[GitHub - node-red/nrlint: Node-RED Flow Linter](https://github.com/node-red/nrlint)**
>
> Node-RED Flow Linter. Contribute to node-red/nrlint development by creating an account on GitHub.
---
### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [17 February 2024 15:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/helper-getnode-return-null/83833/6 "2024-02-17T15:20:36Z")
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