| name | ha-test-strategy |
| description | Hope-native test strategy for features, fixes, and refactors: select test-first, regression-first, characterization, integration, E2E, or manual evidence according to risk and repository rules. |
| paths | ["*.rs","*.ts","*.tsx","*.js","*.jsx","*.py","*.go","*.java","*.kt","*.swift","*.c","*.cpp","*.h","*.rb","*.php","*.sh"] |
Hope Test Strategy
Choose tests that reduce uncertainty about the requested behavior. Test-first is
a valuable technique, not an unconditional law.
Precedence
Follow the user's request and repository instructions. Do not run broad suites,
install dependencies, or rewrite test infrastructure when the project forbids or
does not require it.
Select The Strategy
Test-first
Prefer a failing test before implementation when the new contract is clear, the
test seam is stable, and observing the failure proves the test is meaningful.
Regression-first
For a bug, reproduce the original failure in the narrowest credible automated
test before or alongside the fix. Confirm it fails for the right reason, then
passes after the root-cause change.
Characterization-first
For legacy, poorly documented, or risky refactors, capture current intentional
behavior before changing structure. Do not freeze a known bug as desired
behavior.
Implementation-first with immediate coverage
Reasonable for exploratory seams, generated code, mechanical migrations, or UI
work where the correct test boundary becomes clear only after a small reversible
implementation. Add the relevant proof before claiming completion.
No new automated test
Reasonable for pure docs, trivial metadata, generated outputs, or low-risk
mechanical changes when existing checks directly cover the risk. Explain the
decision rather than adding a meaningless test.
Choose The Layer
- Unit: pure logic, state transition, parser, policy, or failure classification.
- Integration: persistence, adapter, protocol, or cross-module contract.
- E2E: a user-critical path that only becomes true across the full stack.
- Manual smoke: visual layout, OS integration, credentials, or external state
that cannot be honestly simulated.
Use the lowest layer that proves the contract. Add a higher layer only for a
boundary the lower layer cannot cover.
Test Quality
- Assert observable behavior, not incidental implementation details.
- Keep fixtures deterministic and failures diagnostic.
- Cover the demonstrated edge, including cancellation, retry, stale state, or
partial failure when relevant.
- Avoid mocks that erase the boundary being tested.
- Do not weaken existing assertions merely to make a change pass.
Execute Efficiently
- Run the narrowest new or failing test.
- Run the nearest affected suite when justified.
- Use
ha-verify to decide whether broader gates are needed at closeout.
If a test is flaky or environment-blocked, investigate the cause. Do not rerun
until green and call that proof.
Smoke Prompts
- "Choose and add the right regression test for this bug."
- "Refactor this legacy parser without freezing the broken behavior."
- "Decide whether this UI change needs unit, E2E, or manual evidence."
