Test Cases: Email Preferences

✅ Now reachable (as of #226 / #231, on stage) — read the Communications index §6 first. The email-preferences screen is the Notifications tab at /account/notifications (My Account → Notifications) → NotificationsTab.tsx rendering EmailPreferencesSection.tsx. The member 403 on GET/PUT /api/email-preferences is fixed (user?.memberId). ⚠️ Known field-name mismatch: the backend persists paymentReminders, eventReminders, membershipUpdates, broadcasts, unsubscribedAll, but the UI's 5 toggles are Payment Reminders / Event Reminders / Membership Alerts (membershipAlerts) / Newsletter (newsletterEmails) / Marketing Emails (marketingEmails) — only the first two map to backend columns, so the latter three likely won't persist. Test it: toggle all 5, save, reload, and flag any that don't stick. The steps below predate the tab — the navigation path is now the Notifications tab, not Profile; treat exact selectors loosely.

Module: Communications - Email Preferences

Priority: P2

Phase: 4

Backend Endpoints:

GET /api/email-preferences
PUT /api/email-preferences
POST /api/unsubscribe
POST /api/resubscribe

Frontend Page: Member Portal - Email Preferences Settings

Prerequisites

User logged in as member with active account.
Email preferences record exists for member (created on registration).
Broadcast system operational.
Test broadcasts available for sending.

Test Data

Member	Email	Marketing	Events	Payments	Newsletter	Membership
MEM-001	john@example.com	true	true	true	true	true
MEM-002	jane@example.com	false	true	true	false	true
MEM-003	bob@example.com	false	false	true	false	false

Test Cases

TC-COMM-PREF-001: View Current Email Preferences

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member MEM-001.	Dashboard displayed.
2	Navigate to Profile > Email Preferences.	Email preferences page displayed.
3	Verify all preference categories visible.	Marketing, Events, Payments, Newsletter, Membership Alerts.
4	Verify current values.	All toggles reflect database values (all enabled for MEM-001).
5	Verify API call.	`GET /api/email-preferences` returns current preferences.

TC-COMM-PREF-002: Toggle Marketing Emails Off

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member MEM-001.	Dashboard displayed.
2	Navigate to Profile > Email Preferences.	Preferences page displayed.
3	Toggle "Marketing Emails" to OFF.	Toggle switches to off state.
4	Click "Save Preferences".	API `PUT /api/email-preferences` called.
5	Verify success message.	"Preferences updated" message displayed.
6	Refresh page.	marketingEmails shows as false.
7	Verify database.	`marketingEmails` field is `false`.

TC-COMM-PREF-003: Toggle Event Reminders Off

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	-
3	Toggle "Event Reminders" to OFF.	Toggle switches to off state.
4	Save preferences.	API `PUT /api/email-preferences` called.
5	Verify update persisted.	eventReminders shows as false.

TC-COMM-PREF-004: Toggle Newsletter Emails Off

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	-
3	Toggle "Newsletter Emails" to OFF.	Toggle switches to off state.
4	Save preferences.	API `PUT /api/email-preferences` called.
5	Verify update persisted.	newsletterEmails shows as false.

TC-COMM-PREF-005: Toggle Membership Alerts Off

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	-
3	Toggle "Membership Alerts" to OFF.	Toggle switches to off state.
4	Save preferences.	API `PUT /api/email-preferences` called.
5	Verify update persisted.	membershipAlerts shows as false.

TC-COMM-PREF-006: Toggle All Preferences Off

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member with all preferences ON.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	All toggles in ON state.
3	Toggle all categories to OFF.	All toggles switch to off state.
4	Save preferences.	All preferences updated except paymentReminders if protected.
5	Verify each category.	All optional categories are false.

TC-COMM-PREF-007: Toggle All Preferences On

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member MEM-003 with preferences OFF.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Most toggles in OFF state.
3	Toggle all categories to ON.	All toggles switch to on state.
4	Save preferences.	All preferences updated.
5	Verify each category.	All categories are true.

TC-COMM-PREF-008: Payment Reminders Cannot Be Disabled (Transactional)

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Preferences page displayed.
3	Locate "Payment Reminders" toggle.	Toggle visible.
4	Verify toggle is disabled/locked.	Cannot toggle off OR warning displayed.
5	Attempt via API to set paymentReminders: false.	Request ignored or returns warning.
6	Verify database.	`paymentReminders` remains `true`.

TC-COMM-PREF-009: Transactional Email Always Sent (Payment Reminder)

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Setup: Member with all email preferences OFF except payments.	-
2	Create overdue invoice for member.	Invoice in OVERDUE status.
3	Trigger payment reminder email.	System sends payment reminder.
4	Check member's inbox.	Payment reminder email received.
5	Verify email category.	Email marked as transactional.

TC-COMM-PREF-010: Marketing Email Respects Preference (Opted Out)

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member MEM-002 (marketingEmails: false).	-
2	Admin creates marketing broadcast.	Broadcast targeting all members.
3	Admin sends broadcast.	Broadcast sent.
4	Check MEM-002 inbox.	No marketing email received.
5	Verify send log.	MEM-002 excluded due to preference.

TC-COMM-PREF-011: Marketing Email Respects Preference (Opted In)

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Ensure member MEM-001 has marketingEmails: true.	-
2	Admin creates marketing broadcast.	Broadcast targeting all members.
3	Admin sends broadcast.	Broadcast sent.
4	Check MEM-001 inbox.	Marketing email received.
5	Verify content.	Email content matches broadcast.

TC-COMM-PREF-012: Event Reminder Respects Preference

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Member MEM-003 has eventReminders: false.	-
2	Register MEM-003 for upcoming event.	Registration confirmed.
3	Trigger event reminder (day before).	System processes reminders.
4	Check MEM-003 inbox.	No event reminder received.
5	Verify other registrants.	Members with preference ON receive reminder.

TC-COMM-PREF-013: Newsletter Respects Preference

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Member MEM-002 has newsletterEmails: false.	-
2	Admin sends newsletter broadcast.	Newsletter sent.
3	Check MEM-002 inbox.	No newsletter received.
4	Check MEM-001 inbox (newsletter: true).	Newsletter received.

TC-COMM-PREF-014: Membership Alert Respects Preference

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Member MEM-003 has membershipAlerts: false.	-
2	Change MEM-003 membership tier.	Membership updated.
3	Check MEM-003 inbox.	No membership alert received.
4	Perform same for member with alerts ON.	Membership alert received.

TC-COMM-PREF-015: Preference Persistence - Session Logout

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Set marketingEmails to false.	Preference saved.
3	Logout.	Session ended.
4	Login again.	New session started.
5	Navigate to Email Preferences.	marketingEmails still false.
6	Verify all other preferences.	All settings persist.

TC-COMM-PREF-016: Preference Persistence - Different Device

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login on Device A.	-
2	Update preferences (turn off newsletters).	Preference saved.
3	Login on Device B (different browser/device).	New session.
4	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Shows same preferences as Device A.
5	Verify newsletters is OFF.	Preference persisted across devices.

TC-COMM-PREF-017: Preference Persistence - Clear Browser Data

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as member.	-
2	Update email preferences.	Changes saved.
3	Clear browser cache and cookies.	Local data cleared.
4	Login again.	Fresh session.
5	Check preferences.	Server-stored preferences intact.

TC-COMM-PREF-018: Unsubscribe via Email Link

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Send broadcast to member.	Email received.
2	Click "Unsubscribe" link in email footer.	Unsubscribe page displayed.
3	Select category to unsubscribe from.	Category selection available.
4	Confirm unsubscribe.	API `POST /api/unsubscribe` called.
5	Verify success message.	"You have been unsubscribed" displayed.
6	Login and check preferences.	Selected category now OFF.
7	Verify unsubscribedAt.	Timestamp recorded in database.

TC-COMM-PREF-019: Unsubscribe from All (One-Click)

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Click unsubscribe link in email.	Unsubscribe page displayed.
2	Select "Unsubscribe from all".	Option selected.
3	Confirm.	All optional categories disabled.
4	Verify payment reminders.	Payment reminders still enabled (transactional).
5	Verify unsubscribeReason.	Recorded in database.

TC-COMM-PREF-020: Resubscribe After Unsubscribe

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Member previously unsubscribed from marketing.	marketingEmails: false.
2	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Preferences page displayed.
3	Toggle marketing back to ON.	Toggle switches to on state.
4	Save preferences.	Preferences updated.
5	Verify resubscription.	marketingEmails: true.
6	Receive next marketing email.	Email received successfully.

TC-COMM-PREF-021: Resubscribe via Token Link

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Member clicks resubscribe link (if sent).	Resubscribe page displayed.
2	Confirm resubscription.	API `POST /api/resubscribe` called.
3	Verify success message.	"You have been resubscribed" displayed.
4	Check preferences.	Selected category now ON.

TC-COMM-PREF-022: Invalid Unsubscribe Token

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Access unsubscribe URL with invalid token.	Page loads.
2	Attempt to unsubscribe.	Error message displayed.
3	Verify no changes.	Preferences unchanged.
4	Verify API response.	`400 Bad Request` - "Invalid token".

TC-COMM-PREF-023: Expired Unsubscribe Token

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Use unsubscribe link from old email (>30 days).	-
2	Attempt to unsubscribe.	Token expired message.
3	Prompt to login.	Login link provided.
4	Login and manage preferences.	Full preferences page accessible.

TC-COMM-PREF-024: Concurrent Preference Updates

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Open preferences in two browser tabs.	Same preferences displayed.
2	Tab 1: Toggle marketing OFF, save.	Saved successfully.
3	Tab 2: Toggle newsletter OFF, save (without refresh).	Saved successfully.
4	Refresh both tabs.	Both changes persisted.
5	Verify final state.	marketing: false, newsletter: false.

TC-COMM-PREF-025: Preferences UI Accessibility

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Page displayed.
2	Verify keyboard navigation.	Can tab through all toggles.
3	Verify ARIA labels.	Toggle descriptions read by screen reader.
4	Verify contrast.	Meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
5	Verify save with keyboard.	Enter/Space activates save button.

API Test Cases

TC-COMM-PREF-API-001: GET /api/email-preferences

Expected Response: 200 OK

{ "id": "pref_abc123", "memberId": "MEM-001", "marketingEmails": true, "eventReminders": true, "paymentReminders": true, "newsletterEmails": true, "membershipAlerts": true, "unsubscribedAt": null, "unsubscribeReason": null

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-002: GET /api/email-preferences (Unauthenticated)

Expected Response: 401 Unauthorized

{
  "error": "Authentication required"
}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-003: PUT /api/email-preferences (Update Single)

Request:

{
  "marketingEmails": false
}

Expected Response: 200 OK

{ "id": "pref_abc123", "memberId": "MEM-001", "marketingEmails": false, "eventReminders": true, "paymentReminders": true, "newsletterEmails": true, "membershipAlerts": true

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-004: PUT /api/email-preferences (Update Multiple)

Request:

{ "marketingEmails": false, "eventReminders": false, "newsletterEmails": false

}

Expected Response: 200 OK

{ "id": "pref_abc123", "memberId": "MEM-001", "marketingEmails": false, "eventReminders": false, "paymentReminders": true, "newsletterEmails": false, "membershipAlerts": true

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-005: PUT /api/email-preferences (Attempt to Disable Payment Reminders)

Request:

{
  "paymentReminders": false
}

Expected Response: 200 OK (value ignored)

{ "id": "pref_abc123", "memberId": "MEM-001", "paymentReminders": true, "warning": "Payment reminders cannot be disabled"

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-006: POST /api/unsubscribe

Request:

{
  "token": "valid_unsubscribe_token",
  "category": "broadcasts"
}

Expected Response: 200 OK

{ "success": true, "category": "broadcasts", "message": "Successfully unsubscribed from broadcasts"

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-007: POST /api/unsubscribe (Invalid Token)

Request:

{
  "token": "invalid_token",
  "category": "broadcasts"
}

Expected Response: 400 Bad Request

{
  "error": "Invalid or expired unsubscribe token"
}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-008: POST /api/resubscribe

Request:

{
  "token": "valid_resubscribe_token",
  "category": "broadcasts"
}

Expected Response: 200 OK

{ "success": true, "category": "broadcasts", "message": "Successfully resubscribed to broadcasts"

}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-009: PUT /api/email-preferences (Invalid Field)

Request:

{
  "unknownField": true
}

Expected Response: 400 Bad Request

{
  "error": "Invalid preference field: unknownField"
}

TC-COMM-PREF-API-010: PUT /api/email-preferences (Invalid Value Type)

Request:

{
  "marketingEmails": "yes"
}

Expected Response: 400 Bad Request

{
  "error": "marketingEmails must be a boolean"
}

Edge Cases

TC-COMM-PREF-EDGE-001: New Member Default Preferences

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Register new member.	Account created.
2	Check email preferences record.	Record created automatically.
3	Verify default values.	All preferences true by default.

TC-COMM-PREF-EDGE-002: Member Without Preferences Record

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Database: Delete preferences record for test member.	Record removed.
2	Login as that member.	-
3	Navigate to Email Preferences.	Page loads without error.
4	Verify behavior.	New record created with defaults OR error handled gracefully.

TC-COMM-PREF-EDGE-003: Broadcast to Segment with All Opted-Out

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Create segment where all members opted out of marketing.	-
2	Create marketing broadcast for this segment.	Broadcast created.
3	Attempt to send.	Warning: "0 eligible recipients".
4	Confirm send anyway.	No emails sent, broadcast marked as sent.

TC-COMM-PREF-EDGE-004: Rapid Toggle Changes

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Navigate to preferences.	-
2	Rapidly toggle same preference ON/OFF multiple times.	UI remains responsive.
3	Click save.	Final state saved.
4	Verify no race conditions.	Database reflects last save action.

Security Test Cases

TC-COMM-PREF-SEC-001: Cannot View Other Member's Preferences

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as MEM-001.	-
2	Attempt to GET /api/email-preferences?memberId=MEM-002.	Parameter ignored OR access denied.
3	Verify response.	Returns MEM-001's preferences only.

TC-COMM-PREF-SEC-002: Cannot Update Other Member's Preferences

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as MEM-001.	-
2	PUT /api/email-preferences with memberId=MEM-002 in body.	Parameter ignored OR access denied.
3	Verify MEM-002 preferences.	Unchanged.

TC-COMM-PREF-SEC-003: Admin Can View Member Preferences

Step	Action	Expected Result
1	Login as ADMIN.	-
2	Navigate to member details for MEM-001.	Member profile displayed.
3	View email preferences section.	Preferences visible (read-only for admin).

Notes

Transactional Exemption: Payment reminders are classified as transactional emails required for service operation and cannot be disabled per CAN-SPAM/GDPR guidelines.
Preference Granularity: The system supports category-level preferences rather than individual email opt-outs.
Audit Trail: All preference changes should be logged for compliance purposes.
Token Expiration: Unsubscribe tokens typically expire after 30 days for security.