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shipyard-tdd

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Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code

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shipyard

lgbarn/shipyard

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shipyard

development

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lgbarn/shipyard
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skills/shipyard-tdd/SKILL.md

Last Verified

February 4, 2026

Install Skill

Select agents to install to:

Scope:
npx add-skill https://github.com/lgbarn/shipyard/blob/main/skills/shipyard-tdd/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill shipyard-tdd

Installation paths:

Claude
.claude/skills/shipyard-tdd/
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Instructions

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# Test-Driven Development (TDD)

## Activation Triggers
- Any feature or bugfix implementation before writing production code
- Plan tasks with `tdd="true"` marker
- Files matching: `*.test.*`, `*.spec.*`, `__tests__/`, `*_test.go`

## Overview

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

**Core principle:** If you didn't watch the test fail, you don't know if it tests the right thing.

**Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.**

## When to Use

**Always:**
- New features
- Bug fixes
- Refactoring
- Behavior changes

**Exceptions (ask your human partner):**
- Throwaway prototypes
- Generated code
- Configuration files

Thinking "skip TDD just this once"? Stop. That's rationalization.

## The Iron Law

```
NO PRODUCTION CODE WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
```

Write code before the test? Delete it. Start over.

**No exceptions:**
- Don't keep it as "reference"
- Don't "adapt" it while writing tests
- Don't look at it
- Delete means delete

Implement fresh from tests. Period.

## Red-Green-Refactor

```dot
digraph tdd_cycle {
    rankdir=LR;
    red [label="RED\nWrite failing test", shape=box, style=filled, fillcolor="#ffcccc"];
    verify_red [label="Verify fails\ncorrectly", shape=diamond];
    green [label="GREEN\nMinimal code", shape=box, style=filled, fillcolor="#ccffcc"];
    verify_green [label="Verify passes\nAll green", shape=diamond];
    refactor [label="REFACTOR\nClean up", shape=box, style=filled, fillcolor="#ccccff"];
    next [label="Next", shape=ellipse];

    red -> verify_red;
    verify_red -> green [label="yes"];
    verify_red -> red [label="wrong\nfailure"];
    green -> verify_green;
    verify_green -> refactor [label="yes"];
    verify_green -> green [label="no"];
    refactor -> verify_green [label="stay\ngreen"];
    verify_green -> next;
    next -> red;
}
```

### RED - Write Failing Test

Write one minimal test showing what should happen.

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