TDD Skill

Write the test first. Watch it fail. Write minimal code to pass.

The Iron Law

No production code without a failing test first.

Every line of production code must be justified by a test that failed without it. No exceptions. No shortcuts. No "I'll test after."

Agent Workflow

1. DETECT  -> Identify stack, test framework, existing test patterns
2. RED     -> Write ONE failing test for the next behavior
3. VERIFY  -> Run test, confirm it fails for the EXPECTED reason
4. GREEN   -> Write the SIMPLEST code that makes the test pass
5. VERIFY  -> Run tests, confirm ALL pass (new + existing)
6. REFACTOR -> Clean up while keeping all tests green
7. REPEAT  -> Next behavior = next failing test

CRITICAL: Never skip VERIFY steps. A test that passes on first run proves nothing.

RED-GREEN-REFACTOR Cycle

See references/red-green-refactor.md for the detailed cycle with rules and verification steps.

Reference Guide

Quick Reference: Test Commands

Forbidden Behaviors

• Never write production code before a failing test
• Never skip the VERIFY RED step
• Never accept a test that passes on first run without investigation
• Never mock what you can test directly
• Never write more than one test at a time in RED phase
• Never add features beyond what the current test requires