| name | tui-tester |
| description | Expert guidance for testing Gemini CLI behavior and visual output using terminal automation. |
TUI Tester Skill
This skill provides the operational manual for verifying Gemini CLI behavioral changes and visual output using terminal automation.
Core Responsibilities
- Verify Behavior: Confirm that code changes result in the expected terminal interactions.
- Visual Validation: Ensure the TUI renders correctly across different terminal sizes and states.
- Regression Testing: Use automation to prevent breaking existing interactive workflows.
Critical Protocol
When performing TUI testing, you must adhere to these strict rules:
1. Initialization
YOUR ABSOLUTE FIRST ACTION MUST BE:
Activate the agent-tui skill. This provides the underlying tools needed for terminal automation.
2. Environment Setup (macOS / Parallel Safe)
Ensure the global daemon is running and the live preview is open:
if ! agent-tui sessions >/dev/null 2>&1; then
tmux kill-session -t agent-tui 2>/dev/null || true
agent-tui daemon stop 2>/dev/null || true
rm -f /tmp/agent-tui*
tmux new-session -d -s agent-tui 'agent-tui daemon start --foreground > /tmp/agent-tui-daemon.log 2>&1'
sleep 1
fi
agent-tui live start --open
3. Session Management
- Session IDs: Always use the
session_id returned by agent-tui run for subsequent interactions.
- Atomic Execution: Execute exactly one command per turn. Do not pipeline actions.
- The Loop: Action -> Wait -> Screenshot -> Verify -> Next Action.
4. Gemini CLI Specifics
- Build First: Always run
npm run build or npm run build:all before testing local changes.
- Bypass Trust: Set
GEMINI_CLI_TRUST_WORKSPACE=true to avoid focus-stealing modals.
- Isolate Config: Use
GEMINI_CLI_HOME to prevent interference with your personal settings.
Workflow Example
env GEMINI_CLI_TRUST_WORKSPACE=true agent-tui run node packages/cli/dist/index.js
agent-tui wait "│" --assert
agent-tui type "/help"
agent-tui press Enter
agent-tui wait "Available Commands" --assert
Error Recovery
If a wait times out, take a fresh screenshot to diagnose the state. If you see os error 61, restart the daemon using the tmux method.