Testing REST API Verification Emails Without Polluting Shared Inboxes

Short summary

Verification email tests should isolate inboxes per test run to avoid false positives from shared mailboxes and message retries. Critical assertions verify that the token belongs to the correct user, expiration is enforced, and repeated confirmations fail securely. Most flaky auth tests fail on backend logic—queue timing, token storage, stale record cleanup—not mail delivery.

• •Use isolated inboxes per test run to prevent false positives from shared mailboxes
• •Assert token validity, user ownership, and expiration—not just delivery
• •Test idempotence: second clicks should fail securely, not silently succeed

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