subagent-testing

name	subagent-testing
description	Test skills via TDD in fresh subagents. Use when validating behavior or preventing bias.
alwaysApply	false
category	testing
tags	["testing","validation","TDD","subagents","fresh-instances"]
token_budget	30
progressive_loading	true
modules	["modules/testing-patterns.md"]
model_hint	standard

Subagent Testing - TDD for Skills

Test skills with fresh subagent instances to prevent priming bias and validate effectiveness.

When NOT To Use

• Writing the skill under test (use abstract:skill-authoring)
• A static quality audit with no execution (use abstract:skills-eval)

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Why Fresh Instances Matter
3. Testing Methodology
4. Quick Start
5. Detailed Testing Guide
6. Success Criteria

Overview

Fresh instances prevent priming: Each test uses a new Claude conversation to verify the skill's impact is measured, not conversation history effects.

Why Fresh Instances Matter

The Priming Problem

Running tests in the same conversation creates bias:

• Prior context influences responses
• Skill effects get mixed with conversation history
• Can't isolate skill's true impact

Fresh Instance Benefits

• Isolation: Each test starts clean
• Reproducibility: Consistent baseline state
• Measurement: Clear before/after comparison
• Validation: Proves skill effectiveness, not priming

Testing Methodology

Three-phase TDD-style approach:

Phase 1: Baseline Testing (RED)

Test without skill to establish baseline behavior.

Phase 2: With-Skill Testing (GREEN)

Test with skill loaded to measure improvements.

Phase 3: Rationalization Testing (REFACTOR)

Test skill's anti-rationalization guardrails.

Quick Start

# 1. Create baseline tests (without skill)
# Use 5 diverse scenarios
# Document full responses

# 2. Create with-skill tests (fresh instances)
# Load skill explicitly
# Use identical prompts
# Compare to baseline

# 3. Create rationalization tests