To get discovered by nosetests the python files in this directory must be named test_.py. The test case classes should be named 'NameOfTheClassUnderTestTests' and the test functions should be named 'test_functionundertest_expected_bahavior' e.g.: # foobar.py ----- class FooBar(object): def baz(self): return 'baz ----- # tests/test_foobar.py ----- class FooBarTests(unittest.Testcase): def setUp(self): self.fb = FooBar() def test_baz_should_return_baz(self): ret_val = self.fb.baz() self.assertEqual(ret_val, 'baz') ----- Use pymox as mocking framework if needed. apt-get install python-mox3