| name | tdd |
| description | Guide Test-Driven Development using Kent Beck's Red-Green-Refactor cycle. Use when writing tests, implementing features via TDD, entering RED/GREEN/REFACTOR phase, or following plan.md test instructions. |
INSTRUCTIONS
Follow Kent Beck's TDD and Tidy First principles using the following workflow. None of the phases can be skipped.
- RED - Write ONE small failing test
- GREEN - Make minimal behavioral change, then commit
- REFACTOR - Improve structure without changing behavior, commit each step
Workflow Pattern
RED → GREEN → commit → REFACTOR (commit each) → satisfied? ──yes──→ done
↑ │
└───── no (more behavior needed OR triangulate) ───┘
RED Phase
Write ONE small, focused failing test or add ONE failing assertion to an
existing test. Do not commit in RED.
- Use a behavior-describing name such as
shouldAuthenticateValidUser or
test_empty_input_returns_error
- Test one specific behavior; if the thought includes "and also", split it
- Verify the test fails for the right reason, not because of syntax errors,
typos, or broken setup
- Create a separate test when behavior, setup, or failure clarity differs
Proceed only after the failure is informative.
GREEN Phase
Make the failing test pass with the smallest behavioral change. Do not refactor
yet.
Choose the implementation strategy deliberately:
- Fake It: return the expected constant when the real implementation is not
yet clear
- Obvious Implementation: type the direct implementation when a single
expression or established pattern is enough
- Triangulation: add another failing example after a fake to force the real
abstraction
Run all non-long-running tests. Commit the behavioral change once green.
REFACTOR Phase
Improve structure only after all tests pass. Use the refactoring skill for
pattern selection and workflow mechanics.
- Remove duplication between test and production code
- Improve clarity through better names and smaller structure
- Simplify expressions or logic without changing behavior
- Run tests after every small refactoring
- Commit each successful structural change separately
Start another RED phase when more behavior is needed.
