Which programming languages does this skill support?

While it provides general TDD principles for any language, it includes deep, specialized guidance and references for Python (pytest/unittest) and Emacs Lisp (ERT/Buttercup).

How does this skill help with code refactoring?

It enforces the 'Refactor Only When Green' rule, ensuring you have a safety net of passing tests before making changes, and provides templates for common refactoring patterns to minimize technical debt.

Does it support Arrange-Act-Assert (AAA) patterns?

Yes, the skill actively promotes the AAA and Given-When-Then patterns to ensure your tests are readable, structured, and serve as effective documentation for your code's behavior.

What is the Red-Green-Refactor cycle?

It is the core TDD workflow: first, write a failing test (Red); second, write the minimal code necessary to make that test pass (Green); third, improve the code's structure and quality while ensuring tests stay passing (Refactor).

Test-Driven Development (TDD)

Name: Test-Driven Development (TDD)
Author: jkitchin

byjkitchin

•

Security & Testing

Guides developers through the Red-Green-Refactor cycle to implement robust, test-first code across multiple programming languages.

The TDD skill facilitates a disciplined Test-Driven Development workflow, helping users write tests before implementation to ensure high code quality and reliability. It provides structured guidance on the Red-Green-Refactor cycle, enforces best practices like Arrange-Act-Assert (AAA), and offers language-specific patterns for Python and Emacs Lisp. Whether you are building new features from scratch or refactoring legacy systems, this skill ensures that every line of code is verified and every requirement is met through a test-first approach.

Key Features

01Language-specific testing patterns for Python and Elisp

02Guidance on mocking, test doubles, and independent test design

03Automated test template generation and boilerplate

04Comprehensive coverage analysis and gap identification

053 GitHub stars

06Red-Green-Refactor workflow facilitation

Use Cases

01Developing new software features using a disciplined test-first methodology

02Safely refactoring complex codebases while maintaining a green test suite

03Setting up and organizing professional-grade testing infrastructure in Python or Elisp

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add jkitchin/skillz development

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

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