ship-tdd

name	ship:tdd
description	Use when implementing tasks that have test-based verify commands — provides RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle guidance
effort	medium
user-invocable	false

Test-Driven Development

When a task's <verify> command runs tests, follow this cycle.

When to Apply

• Tasks where <verify> runs a test command (node --test, npm test, pytest, cargo test, etc.)
• Bug fixes (write a test that reproduces the bug first)

Skip TDD for: Config changes, file wiring, template creation, or tasks with non-test verify commands (e.g., grep, ls, type-check only).

RED-GREEN-REFACTOR

RED — Write Failing Test

Write one minimal test for the behavior described in the task. Run it. Confirm it fails because the feature is missing (not because of a typo or import error).

If the test passes immediately, you're testing existing behavior — fix the test.

GREEN — Minimal Implementation

Write the simplest code to make the test pass. No extras, no "while I'm here" improvements.

Run the verify command. All tests must pass.

REFACTOR — Clean Up (If Needed)

Remove duplication, improve names. Keep tests green. Don't add behavior.

Rules

1. One test at a time — don't batch multiple test cases before implementing
2. Watch it fail — never skip the RED step; a test you didn't see fail proves nothing
3. Minimal code — only write enough to pass the current test
4. Don't mock what you own — use real code unless external dependencies force mocks

When Stuck

Problem	Action
Don't know what to test	Write the assertion first — what should the output be?
Test too complicated	The interface is too complicated — simplify the design
Must mock everything	Code too coupled — note it as a deviation, implement anyway