Test-Driven Development (TDD) Best Practices

What problem does it solve?

This Skill guides developers through the rigorous Red-Green-Refactor cycle of Test-Driven Development, ensuring new features and bug fixes are implemented with high-quality, maintainable, and well-tested code. It reduces bugs and improves code design by forcing a test-first approach.

Core Features & Use Cases

• Red-Green-Refactor Cycle: Enforces the core TDD workflow: write a failing test, write minimal code to make it pass, then clean up while keeping tests green.
• Test Quality Standards: Emphasizes writing minimal, focused tests first, using appropriate naming conventions, and thoroughly testing error and edge cases.
• Design for Testability: Promotes architectural patterns like dependency injection and interface-based abstractions to make code inherently easier to test.
• Use Case: A developer is about to implement a new API endpoint. This skill reminds them to start by writing a failing test for the desired behavior, then write just enough code to pass it, and finally refactor, ensuring the new endpoint is well-tested and robust from inception.

Quick Start

Follow the TDD Workflow for every code change:

1. Red: Write a failing test that defines a new piece of functionality or a bug fix.

2. Green: Write the simplest possible code to make that new test pass.

3. Refactor: Clean up your code, improve its design, and remove duplication, ensuring all tests remain green.

Repeat this cycle continuously.