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Testingintermediate

tdd-workflow

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Test-Driven Development workflow principles. RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle.

Works with OpenClaude

1. The TDD Cycle

🔴 RED → Write failing test
    ↓
🟢 GREEN → Write minimal code to pass
    ↓
🔵 REFACTOR → Improve code quality
    ↓
   Repeat...

2. The Three Laws of TDD

  1. Write production code only to make a failing test pass
  2. Write only enough test to demonstrate failure
  3. Write only enough code to make the test pass

3. RED Phase Principles

What to Write

FocusExample
Behavior"should add two numbers"
Edge cases"should handle empty input"
Error states"should throw for invalid data"

RED Phase Rules

  • Test must fail first
  • Test name describes expected behavior
  • One assertion per test (ideally)

4. GREEN Phase Principles

Minimum Code

PrincipleMeaning
YAGNIYou Aren't Gonna Need It
Simplest thingWrite the minimum to pass
No optimizationJust make it work

GREEN Phase Rules

  • Don't write unneeded code
  • Don't optimize yet
  • Pass the test, nothing more

5. REFACTOR Phase Principles

What to Improve

AreaAction
DuplicationExtract common code
NamingMake intent clear
StructureImprove organization
ComplexitySimplify logic

REFACTOR Rules

  • All tests must stay green
  • Small incremental changes
  • Commit after each refactor

6. AAA Pattern

Every test follows:

StepPurpose
ArrangeSet up test data
ActExecute code under test
AssertVerify expected outcome

7. When to Use TDD

ScenarioTDD Value
New featureHigh
Bug fixHigh (write test first)
Complex logicHigh
ExploratoryLow (spike, then TDD)
UI layoutLow

8. Test Prioritization

PriorityTest Type
1Happy path
2Error cases
3Edge cases
4Performance

9. Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't✅ Do
Skip the RED phaseWatch test fail first
Write tests afterWrite tests before
Over-engineer initialKeep it simple
Multiple assertsOne behavior per test
Test implementationTest behavior

10. AI-Augmented TDD

Multi-Agent Pattern

AgentRole
Agent AWrite failing tests (RED)
Agent BImplement to pass (GREEN)
Agent COptimize (REFACTOR)

Remember: The test is the specification. If you can't write a test, you don't understand the requirement.

When to Use

This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

Quick Info

CategoryTesting
Difficultyintermediate
Version1.0.0
Authorantigravity
communityantigravity

Install command:

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