test-driven-development

name	test-driven-development
description	Required TDD loop for tasks that need red, green, refactor, final-green, and test-quality evidence.
version	1.0.0
category	core
triggers	tdd, test-driven development, red green refactor
metadata	{"gobby":{"audience":"agent","depth":1}}

Test-Driven Development

Use this when a task requires TDD.

Required Loop

1. Write or update the smallest meaningful test before implementation.
2. Run the exact test command and verify the expected failure.
3. Implement the smallest change that makes the new failing test pass: the minimal green step.
4. Run the exact test command and verify green.
5. Refactor only after green, then rerun final green validation.

Completion Evidence

The task handoff must include:

• Red evidence: exact command and failure output summary from before implementation.
• Green evidence: exact command and pass output summary after minimal implementation.
• Refactor/final-green evidence: exact final command and pass output summary.
• Test-quality audit evidence for touched test paths, or a specific reason it was not applicable.

When tests were added or heavily edited, run:

uv run gobby test-quality audit <paths> --baseline .gobby/test-quality-baseline.json --fail-on-new --min-severity high

TDD is not satisfied by writing tests after implementation, by only running a broad suite, or by omitting the expected red failure.