golden-path-test-author

name

golden-path-test-author

description

Write and maintain integration tests for the critical game loop: INTRO → MENU → OVERWORLD → PREGIG → GIG → POSTGIG → OVERWORLD → GAMEOVER. Trigger when: asked to add regression tests, verify game flow continuity, ensure state transitions work, check critical paths don't break, test bankruptcy/game-over paths, validate state clamping (money/harmony/fuel), audit action sequences, or diagnose transition bugs. Use when testing reducer + action creators together (not individual actions in isolation). Covers FULL CYCLE tests, STATE SAFETY invariants, and TRANSITION SEQUENCES.

Golden Path Test Author

Ensure the critical game loop—INTRO → MENU → OVERWORLD → PREGIG → GIG → POSTGIG → OVERWORLD—works without regression. Validates state transitions, resource boundaries (money ≥ 0, harmony ∈ [1,100], fuel ∈ [0,100]), and scene sequencing.

What Is a Golden Path Test?

A golden path test runs a sequence of actions (state transitions) end-to-end, verifying:

• Scene transitions: CHANGE_SCENE moves between valid game phases
• State mutations: TRAVEL, START_GIG, ADVANCE_DAY update player/band correctly
• Resource safety: Money never negative, harmony clamped [1, 100], fuel ∈ [0, 100]
• Event cycles: Full gig loop (start → perform → earn/lose money → return) works
• Edge cases: Bankruptcy triggers GAMEOVER, low fuel affects travel, etc.

Use node:test + node:assert to test the reducer + action creators together, not individual reducers in isolation.

Scene Path

• MainMenu: starts the game and initializes state.
• Overworld: handles travel, map selection, and resource pressure.
• Gig: executes rhythm performance and score capture.
• PostGig: applies reports, payouts, and return-to-tour flow.

Core Workflow

1. Choose Your Test Target

Target	Use Case	Notes
Full cycle	INTRO → GAMEOVER in one test	~50 state transitions; validates sequence integrity
Single transition	E.g., "test TRAVEL costs fuel"	Focused; isolates one action
Edge case	Bankruptcy, van breakdown, low harmony	Tests boundaries
State safety	"Verify money never goes negative"	Runs same action 5+ times; checks invariant

2. Scaffold the Test File

Create tests/golden-path/[name].test.js:

import test from 'node:test' // use async `test()` to group subtests
import assert from 'node:assert/strict'
import { gameReducer, ActionTypes } from '../src/context/gameReducer.js'
import { createInitialState } from '../src/context/initialState.js'

const applyAction = (state, type, payload) =>
  gameReducer(state, { type, payload })

test('Golden Path: [Your Test Name]', async t => {
  let state = createInitialState()
  // ... subtests below
})

3. Define Input + Expected Output

For each action, specify:

• precondition: What must be true before the action (e.g., "state has 10 fuel")
• action: The reducer action type + payload
• assertion: What should be true after (e.g., "fuel is 9")

See references/state-shapes.md for game state structure and references/common-assertions.md for assertion patterns.

4. Run and Debug

node --test --import tsx --experimental-test-module-mocks --import ./tests/setup.mjs tests/golden-path/[name].test.js

If it fails, see references/debugging-guide.md for diagnosis steps.

Complete Example: Travel + Day Advance

import test from 'node:test'
import assert from 'node:assert/strict'
import { gameReducer, ActionTypes } from '../../src/context/gameReducer.js'
import { createInitialState } from '../../src/context/initialState.js'
import { GAME_PHASES } from '../../src/context/gameConstants.js'

const applyAction = (state, type, payload) =>
  gameReducer(state, { type, payload })

test('Golden Path: Travel costs money and fuel', async t => {
  let state = createInitialState()
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.OVERWORLD)

  await t.test('Setup: Set initial resources', () => {
    state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.UPDATE_PLAYER, {
      money: 500,
      van: { ...state.player.van, fuel: 100 }
    })
    assert.equal(state.player.money, 500)
    assert.equal(state.player.van.fuel, 100)
  })

  await t.test('Action: Travel deducts money and fuel', () => {
    const travelCost = 50
    const fuelUsed = 15
    state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.UPDATE_PLAYER, {
      money: state.player.money - travelCost,
      currentNodeId: 'node_1_0',
      van: { ...state.player.van, fuel: state.player.van.fuel - fuelUsed }
    })
    assert.equal(state.player.money, 450)
    assert.equal(state.player.van.fuel, 85)
  })

  await t.test('Invariant: Money never negative', () => {
    // Even if we travel with too little fuel/money, reducer clamps to 0
    const veryNegative = state.player.money - 999
    state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.UPDATE_PLAYER, {
      money: veryNegative
    })
    assert.equal(state.player.money, 0, 'Money clamped to 0')
  })

  await t.test('Action: Day advance costs daily expenses', () => {
    // Reset to known state
    state = createInitialState()
    const moneyBefore = state.player.money
    state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.OVERWORLD)
    state = gameReducer(state, { type: ActionTypes.ADVANCE_DAY })
    assert.ok(
      state.player.money < moneyBefore,
      'Money reduced after day advance'
    )
    assert.ok(state.player.money >= 0, 'Money never negative')
  })
})

State Safety Checklist

Every golden path test should verify:

• ✅ Money clamping: money >= 0 after UPDATE_PLAYER, APPLY_EVENT_DELTA, ADVANCE_DAY
• ✅ Harmony bounds: band.harmony ∈ [1, 100] after any band update
• ✅ Fuel bounds: van.fuel ∈ [0, 100]
• ✅ Van condition: van.condition ∈ [0, 100]
• ✅ Scene validity: Only transition to valid target scenes (see GAME_PHASES)
• ✅ Gig data: currentGig exists before START_GIG → GIG, nulled after return to OVERWORLD

Use references/common-assertions.md for assertion helpers.

Multi-Step Sequences (Advanced)

To test a full cycle with multiple actions:

test('Golden Path: Full gig cycle from setup to earnings', async t => {
  let state = createInitialState()

  // Phase 1: Overworld → PreGig
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.OVERWORLD)
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.START_GIG, venue)
  assert.equal(state.currentScene, GAME_PHASES.PRE_GIG)

  // Phase 2: PreGig setup
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.SET_SETLIST, songs)
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.SET_GIG_MODIFIERS, {
    soundcheck: true
  })

  // Phase 3: PreGig → Gig
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.GIG)

  // Phase 4: Gig performance (set stats)
  const gigStats = { score: 8000, perfectHits: 50, misses: 3 }
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.SET_LAST_GIG_STATS, gigStats)

  // Phase 5: Gig → PostGig
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.POST_GIG)

  // Phase 6: Apply earnings
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.UPDATE_PLAYER, {
    money: state.player.money + 250
  })

  // Phase 7: Return to Overworld
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.SET_GIG, null)
  state = applyAction(state, ActionTypes.CHANGE_SCENE, GAME_PHASES.OVERWORLD)
  assert.equal(state.currentScene, GAME_PHASES.OVERWORLD)
  assert.equal(state.currentGig, null)
})

Debugging Failed Tests

See references/debugging-guide.md for:

• Test fails on line X: How to read assertion errors
• State is unexpectedly undefined: Check preconditions and mocks
• Money went negative: Audit the action sequence for missing clamping
• Scene transition rejected: Verify valid transitions in GAME_PHASES

Testing All 5 Transitions

See references/transition-examples.md for complete examples:

1. MENU → OVERWORLD (scene + map setup)
2. OVERWORLD → PREGIG (START_GIG action)
3. PREGIG → GIG (scene change + setlist/modifiers)
4. GIG → POSTGIG (score capture + scene change)
5. POSTGIG → OVERWORLD (earnings + gig cleanup)

Existing Tests

The project already has comprehensive golden path tests in tests/goldenPath.test.js (630+ lines). Review that file for patterns before writing new tests—don't duplicate what's already covered.

Skill sync: compatible with React 19.2.6 / Vite 8.0.10 / Tailwind 4.2.4 baseline as of 2026-05-20.