Menu
Implements snapshot/golden file tests with temporal normalization so tests don't break daily. Use when implementing tests that compare output against expected snapshots.
Install with Codex or Claude Copy this prompt, paste it into Codex, Claude, or another assistant, and let it review the skill page and install it for you.
Based on SOC occupation classification
Dispatches research agents to find real projects, papers, and documented failures before proposing any feature, architecture, or technology choice. Triggers on creative/design tasks, not on implementation of already-designed specs.
Validates completed work against defined acceptance criteria. Use after completing a task that has specific success criteria defined in issues, specs, or task descriptions.
Generates edge case, failure mode, and spec-driven test cases. Covers boundary values, nil inputs, concurrency, resource exhaustion, malformed data, and requirement-linked traceability tests.
Detects and prevents shortcut rationalization — when the agent is about to skip a step, simplify a requirement, or optimize away a constraint. Triggers proactively when rationalization patterns are noticed.
Provides a persistent cross-session task queue for work that should be done but isn't blocking current tasks. Enables background and future-session work tracking.
Safely integrates commits from parallel agent branches using sequential cherry-pick. Use after parallel work completes in isolated branches or worktrees.
| name | vibe-golden-file-testing |
| description | Implements snapshot/golden file tests with temporal normalization so tests don't break daily. Use when implementing tests that compare output against expected snapshots. |
| user-invocable | true |
Golden file tests are powerful but brittle. This skill makes them robust.
Golden tests break when they contain:
2026-02-28 → different tomorrow)took 1.23s → varies by machine)Identify dynamic fields in the output being tested
Create normalizer function:
func normalizeOutput(s string) string {
// Dates: 2026-02-28 → REDACTED_DATE
s = dateRegex.ReplaceAll(s, "REDACTED_DATE")
// UUIDs: 550e8400-... → REDACTED_UUID
s = uuidRegex.ReplaceAll(s, "REDACTED_UUID")
// Timestamps: 1709136000 → REDACTED_TS
s = tsRegex.ReplaceAll(s, "REDACTED_TS")
// Durations: 1.23s → REDACTED_DURATION
s = durationRegex.ReplaceAll(s, "REDACTED_DURATION")
return s
}
Apply normalization to BOTH:
Generate golden file with update flag:
if os.Getenv("UPDATE_GOLDEN") == "1" {
os.WriteFile(goldenPath, normalized, 0644)
}
Document update command:
# To update golden files:
UPDATE_GOLDEN=1 go test ./...
| Pattern | Regex | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| ISO Date | \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2} | REDACTED_DATE |
| ISO DateTime | \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}T\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2} | REDACTED_DATETIME |
| UUID | [0-9a-f]{8}-[0-9a-f]{4}-... | REDACTED_UUID |
| Unix timestamp | \b1[6-9]\d{8}\b | REDACTED_TS |
| Duration | \d+\.?\d*[µnm]?s | REDACTED_DURATION |
| Absolute path | /home/\w+/ or C:\\Users\\ | REDACTED_PATH |
| Port | :\d{4,5}\b | :REDACTED_PORT |
Dynamic fields found: X
Normalizations applied: Y
Golden file: [path]
Update command: UPDATE_GOLDEN=1 [test command]