regression-test-generator

name	regression-test-generator
description	Generate regression tests when bugs are discovered during /debug or continuous checks. Auto-detects test framework, creates Arrange-Act-Assert tests, and links to error-log.md entries. (project)

Automatically generate regression tests that capture bugs to prevent recurrence. Creates complete, framework-appropriate tests that: 1. Reproduce the bug scenario (fails before fix) 2. Verify correct behavior (passes after fix) 3. Link back to error-log.md for traceability

<quick_start> Generate regression test for a bug:

1. Collect bug details: error ID, symptoms, root cause, affected component
2. Detect test framework from project (Jest, Vitest, pytest, Playwright)
3. Generate test file following project patterns
4. Present to user for review: [A] Save [B] Edit [C] Skip
5. Save test to tests/regression/ and update error-log.md

Key principle: Tests should FAIL before the fix is applied (proves bug exists). </quick_start>

Before generating regression test: - Bug has been identified with symptoms and reproduction steps - Root cause determined (from 5 Whys or debugging) - Component/file affected is known - Error ID assigned (ERR-XXXX) or will be assigned

Check error-log.md to avoid duplicate tests for same error.

**Collect bug details**

Extract from debug context:

• Error ID: ERR-XXXX from error-log.md (or generate new)
• Title: Brief description (e.g., "Dashboard timeout due to missing pagination")
• Symptoms: Observable behavior (error message, incorrect output)
• Root cause: Why the bug occurred (from 5 Whys analysis)
• Component: Affected file/function (e.g., StudentProgressService.fetchExternalData)
• Reproduction steps: How to trigger the bug

Example:

error_id: ERR-0042
title: Dashboard timeout due to missing pagination
symptoms: Dashboard fails to load, timeout after 30s
root_cause: Missing pagination parameter causes over-fetching
component: src/services/StudentProgressService.ts:fetchExternalData
reproduction:
  - Navigate to /dashboard/student/123
  - Click "Load Data" button
  - Observe timeout error

**Detect test framework**

Check project configuration (in priority order):

1. docs/project/tech-stack.md (if exists):

   grep -i "test\|jest\|vitest\|pytest\|playwright" docs/project/tech-stack.md
   

2. package.json (JavaScript/TypeScript):

   # Check devDependencies
   grep -E '"(jest|vitest|@playwright/test|mocha)"' package.json
   

3. pyproject.toml / requirements.txt (Python):

   grep -E "(pytest|unittest|nose)" pyproject.toml requirements.txt
   

4. Existing test file patterns:

   # JavaScript patterns
   find . -name "*.test.ts" -o -name "*.spec.ts" | head -1
   
   # Python patterns
   find . -name "*_test.py" -o -name "test_*.py" | head -1
   

5. Defaults:

   • JavaScript/TypeScript: Jest
   • Python: pytest
   • Document assumption in test file comment

Output: Framework name and test file extension (e.g., Jest → .test.ts)

**Determine test file location**

Find appropriate location:

1. Check if tests/regression/ exists → use it
2. Check project test structure:
   • tests/ directory → tests/regression/
   • __tests__/ directory → __tests__/regression/
   • Co-located tests (same dir as source) → src/__tests__/regression/
3. Create tests/regression/ if no pattern found

File naming:

• Format: regression-ERR-{ID}-{slug}.{ext}
• Slug: lowercase kebab-case from title
• Examples:
  • regression-ERR-0042-dashboard-timeout.test.ts
  • test_regression_err_0042_dashboard_timeout.py

**Generate test code**

Use framework-appropriate template from references/framework-templates.md.

Structure (Arrange-Act-Assert):

Header: Error ID, title, description, root cause, link to error-log

describe/class: "Regression: ERR-XXXX - {title_short}"
  test: "should {expected} when {condition}"
    ARRANGE: Set up bug scenario (data, mocks, state)
    ACT: Execute action that caused bug
    ASSERT: Verify correct behavior (would have failed before fix)

Required elements:

• Error ID reference in comment header
• Link to error-log.md entry
• Clear test name describing expected behavior
• Setup code matching reproduction steps
• Assertion that validates the fix

See references/framework-templates.md for complete templates.

**Present to user for review**

Display generated test:

=== Regression Test Generated ===

Error: ERR-0042 - Dashboard Timeout Due to Missing Pagination

File: tests/regression/regression-ERR-0042-dashboard-timeout.test.ts

--- Generated Test Code ---
[Full test code here]
---

This test will:
- {describe what test validates}
- {explain why test would have failed before fix}

What would you like to do?
  [A] Save test and continue
  [B] Edit test before saving
  [C] Skip generation (add to debt tracker)

>

If user chooses:

• A (Save): Write file, run test, update error-log.md
• B (Edit): Show edit instructions, wait for confirmation
• C (Skip): Log skip reason in NOTES.md as technical debt

**Save and verify**

After user approval:

1. Write test file to determined location
2. Run test to verify:
   • If bug not yet fixed: Test should FAIL (proves bug exists)
   • If bug already fixed: Test should PASS (validates fix)
3. Update error-log.md with regression test reference:

**Regression Test**:
- **File**: `tests/regression/regression-ERR-0042-dashboard-timeout.test.ts`
- **Status**: Generated
- **Validates**: Pagination parameter prevents timeout

4. Stage file for commit (do not auto-commit)

Validation: Test file exists, runs without syntax errors, linked in error-log.md.

After generating regression test, verify:

• Test file created in correct location
• Test follows project naming conventions
• Test uses Arrange-Act-Assert pattern
• Test has clear name describing expected behavior
• Error ID referenced in test header comment
• error-log.md updated with test reference
• Test runs without syntax errors
• Test behavior matches expectations (fails before fix OR passes after)

<anti_patterns> Don't: Test implementation details

// BAD: Tests internal method name
test('calls _fetchWithPagination', () => {
  expect(service._fetchWithPagination).toHaveBeenCalled();
});

Do: Test observable behavior

// GOOD: Tests behavior user expects
test('should return paginated results within 5 seconds', async () => {
  const result = await service.fetchData(studentId);
  expect(result.length).toBeLessThanOrEqual(10);
});

Why: Implementation can change; behavior should remain stable.

**Don't**: Use fragile DOM selectors

// BAD: Breaks if CSS class changes
await page.locator('.btn-primary-xl-dashboard').click();

Do: Use accessible selectors

// GOOD: Stable, user-focused
await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Load Data' }).click();

Why: Regression tests should be stable across refactors.

**Don't**: Create test without linking to error

// BAD: No reference to error-log.md
test('dashboard loads', () => { /* ... */ });

Do: Include error ID and link

/**
 * Regression Test for ERR-0042
 * @see specs/my-feature/error-log.md#ERR-0042
 */
test('should load dashboard within 5s (ERR-0042)', () => { /* ... */ });

Why: Traceability enables understanding why test exists.

**Don't**: Write E2E test for unit-level bug

Do: Match test type to bug scope:

• Logic error in function → Unit test
• Integration failure → Integration test
• User flow broken → E2E test

Why: Faster feedback, more stable tests, easier maintenance. </anti_patterns>

<best_practices> Write test names that describe expected behavior:

• Format: should {expected} when {condition}
• Examples:
  • should return paginated results when dataset exceeds 100 records
  • should complete within 5 seconds when loading dashboard
  • should show error message when API returns 500

Result: Test serves as documentation, failures are self-explanatory.

Include only setup necessary to reproduce bug:

// Include: State that triggers bug
const service = new StudentProgressService();
const result = await service.fetchData(studentWithLargeDataset);

// Exclude: Unrelated setup
// const userPrefs = loadPreferences(); // Not needed for this test

Result: Faster tests, clearer intent, easier maintenance.

Make assertions specific to the bug:

// BAD: Vague assertion
expect(result).toBeTruthy();

// GOOD: Specific to bug being prevented
expect(result.length).toBeLessThanOrEqual(10); // Pagination limit
expect(response.time).toBeLessThan(5000); // No timeout

Result: Test catches regressions, not false positives.

Include context in test file header:

/**
 * Regression Test for ERR-0042: Dashboard Timeout
 *
 * Bug: Dashboard failed to load due to missing pagination
 * Root Cause: API call fetched all records (1000+) instead of paginated (10)
 * Fixed: Added page_size parameter to API call
 *
 * @see specs/001-dashboard/error-log.md#ERR-0042
 */

Result: Future developers understand why test exists. </best_practices>

<success_criteria> Regression test generation complete when:

• Bug details collected (error ID, symptoms, root cause, component)
• Test framework detected from project
• Test file location determined (follows project patterns)
• Test code generated with Arrange-Act-Assert structure
• Test presented to user for review
• User approved (A) or edited (B) test
• Test file written to correct location
• Test runs without syntax errors
• error-log.md updated with regression test reference
• Test file staged for commit </success_criteria>

<quality_standards> Good regression test:

• Clear name describing expected behavior
• Error ID in test name or comment
• Link to error-log.md entry
• Minimal setup (only what's needed to reproduce)
• Specific assertion (fails if bug reoccurs)
• Uses accessible selectors (E2E tests)
• Follows project test patterns

Bad regression test:

• Generic name (test1, dashboard test)
• No error reference (no traceability)
• Tests implementation details
• Brittle selectors or timing-dependent
• Vague assertions (toBeTruthy)
• Doesn't actually catch the bug if reintroduced </quality_standards>

**Issue**: Can't detect test framework **Solution**: Check package.json, pyproject.toml manually; ask user to specify

Issue: No existing test directory Solution: Create tests/regression/ and document in test file comment

Issue: Test passes before fix applied Solution: Test may not be reproducing bug correctly; review reproduction steps

Issue: Test fails after fix applied Solution: Assertion may be testing wrong behavior; adjust to match expected post-fix state

Issue: User skips too many regression tests Solution: Track in NOTES.md as tech debt; surface during /optimize phase

See references/ for: - Framework templates (Jest, Vitest, pytest, Playwright) - Test location strategies (monorepo, co-located, centralized) - Example regression tests (good vs bad patterns) - Integration with error-log.md