instance.md

.instance() => ReactComponent

Returns the single-node wrapper's node's underlying class instance; this in its methods. It must be a single-node wrapper.

NOTE: can only be called on a wrapper instance that is also the root instance. With React 16 and above, instance() returns null for functional components, regardless of hooks usage.

Returns

ReactComponent|DOMComponent: The retrieved instance.

Example

function SFC() {
  return <div>MyFunction</div>;
}

class Stateful extends React.Component {
  render() {
    return <div>MyClass</div>;
  }
}

React 16.x

test('wrapper instance is null', () => {
  const wrapper = shallow(<SFC />);
  const instance = wrapper.instance();

  expect(instance).to.equal(null);
});

test('wrapper instance is not null', () => {
  const wrapper = shallow(<Stateful />);
  const instance = wrapper.instance();

  expect(instance).to.be.instanceOf(MyCStatefullass);
});

React 15.x

test('wrapper instance is not null', () => {
  const wrapper = shallow(<SFC />);
  const instance = wrapper.instance();

  expect(instance).to.be.instanceOf(SFC);
});

test('wrapper instance is not null', () => {
  const wrapper = shallow(<Stateful />);
  const instance = wrapper.instance();

  expect(instance).to.be.instanceOf(Stateful);
});