Document dotnet test whole-run zero-tests verdict and global/per-module --minimum-expected-tests (.NET 11 SDK) #55011

Summary

dotnet test (Microsoft.Testing.Platform path) gained a whole-run "zero tests ran" verdict with a global vs. per-module minimum-expected-tests model. This isn''t documented on Learn yet.

Implemented in microsoft/testfx#7457 via testfx PR microsoft/testfx#9709 (per-module signal) and SDK PR dotnet/sdk#55362 (whole-run aggregation). Available starting with the .NET 11 SDK (11.0.1xx) (merged for 11.0-preview7); not available in .NET 10 or earlier.

Behavior to document

• Arguments before -- are global / whole-run (interpreted by the dotnet test orchestrator); arguments after -- are local / per-module (forwarded to each test module). Example:

  dotnet test --minimum-expected-tests 5 -- --minimum-expected-tests 2
  

  = at least 5 tests across the whole run and at least 2 tests per module.
• A module that matches no tests (e.g. under --test-modules or a global --filter) exits 8 (ZeroTests) but is normalized to success before aggregation; the whole-run zero-tests verdict is decided once from the total test count, so one empty module no longer fails the whole run. The empty module keeps its Exit code: 8 diagnostic for visibility.
• An explicit --minimum-expected-tests N that isn''t met yields 9 (MinimumExpectedTestsPolicyViolation), kept distinct from 8 so a stricter (global or per-module) minimum isn''t confused with an empty module.

Pages likely affected

• dotnet test command reference (MTP options, argument-split semantics).
• Microsoft.Testing.Platform exit codes table (clarify 8 vs 9 and the per-module vs whole-run distinction).

Notes

• --minimum-expected-tests 0 is intentionally not an alias for --ignore-exit-code 8; use --ignore-exit-code 8 to suppress the zero-tests code.

Filed to track the Learn documentation for a feature that has already shipped in the product.

Associated WorkItem - 632181