Paths: File paths (shared/ , references/ , ../ln-* ) are relative to skills repo root. If not found at CWD, locate this SKILL.md directory and go up one level for repo root. If shared/ is missing, fetch files via WebFetch from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/levnikolaevich/claude-code-skills/master/skills/{path} .

Test Task Executor

Type: L3 Worker

Runs a single Story final test task (label "tests") through implementation/execution to To Review.

Purpose & Scope

• Handle only tasks labeled "tests"; other tasks go to ln-401.

• Follow the 11-section test task plan (E2E/Integration/Unit, infra/docs/cleanup).

• Enforce risk-based constraints: Priority ≥15 scenarios covered; each test passes Usefulness Criteria; no framework/DB/library/performance tests.

• Update Linear/kanban for this task only: Todo -> In Progress -> To Review.

Hex-line acceleration (if available): Use outline(file_path) before reading test targets. Use narrow inspect_path(path=<relevant test dir>) to understand test structure; if you intentionally need a full broad inventory of tests/ , opt in with max_entries=0 instead of assuming the default pattern cap will show everything. Use grep_search(output_mode="summary") first to find tests/helpers/fixtures, then escalate to output_mode="content", edit_ready=true only when you need canonical hunks for a follow-up edit; use allow_large_output=true only as an explicit override. Use read_file() and edit_file() as the primary path for test/code/config files. Keep read_file() in discovery mode for normal inspection; use read_file(edit_ready=true, verbosity="full") before edits that need revision/checksum protocol. Use verify() and changes() before handoff. Built-in Read/Edit are fallback only when hex-line is unavailable.

Inputs

Input Required Source Description

taskId

Yes args, parent Story, kanban, user Test task to execute

Resolution: Task Resolution Chain. Status filter: Todo (label: tests)

Task Storage Mode

MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/environment_state_contract.md , shared/references/storage_mode_detection.md , and shared/references/input_resolution_pattern.md

MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/ci_tool_detection.md — compact output flags, pipefail, normalization-before-truncation policy for test command execution.

Extract: task_provider = Task Management → Provider (linear | file ).

Aspect Linear Mode File Mode

Load task get_issue(task_id)

Read("docs/tasks/epics/.../tasks/T{NNN}-*.md")

Load Story get_issue(parent_id)

Read("docs/tasks/epics/.../story.md")

Update status save_issue(id, state)

Edit the Status: line in file

Test results create_comment({issueId, body})

Write comment to .../comments/{ISO-timestamp}.md

File Mode transitions: Todo → In Progress → To Review

MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/mcp_tool_preferences.md — ALWAYS use hex-line MCP for code files when available. No fallback to standard Read/Edit unless hex-line is down.

Workflow (concise)

• Resolve taskId: Run Task Resolution Chain per guide (status filter: [Todo, label: tests]).

• Load task: Fetch full test task description (Linear: get_issue; File: Read task file); read linked guides/manuals/ADRs/research; review parent Story and manual test results if provided. 2b) Goal gate: MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/goal_articulation_gate.md — State REAL GOAL of these tests (which business behavior must be verified, not "write tests"). NOT THE GOAL: testing infrastructure or framework behavior instead of business logic. HIDDEN CONSTRAINT: which existing tests might break from implementation changes.

• Read environment docs: Read docs/project/infrastructure.md — get server IPs, ports, service endpoints. Read docs/project/runbook.md — understand test environment setup, Docker commands, test execution prerequisites. Use exact commands from runbook.

• Validate plan: Check Priority ≥15 coverage and Usefulness Criteria; ensure focus on business flows (no infra-only tests).

• Start work: Set task In Progress (Linear: update_issue; File: Edit status line); move in kanban.

• Implement & run: MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/code_efficiency_criterion.md — Author/update tests per plan; reuse existing fixtures/helpers; run tests; fix failing existing tests; update infra/doc sections as required. Before handoff, verify 3 efficiency self-checks (especially: reuse fixtures instead of duplicating setup).

• Complete: Ensure counts/priority still within limits; set task To Review; move in kanban; add comment summarizing coverage, commands run, and any deviations.

Critical Rules

• Single-task only; no bulk updates.

• Do not mark Done; the reviewer approves. Task must end in To Review.

• Keep language (EN/RU) consistent with task.

• No framework/library/DB/performance/load tests; focus on business logic correctness (not infrastructure throughput).

• Respect limits and priority; if violated, stop and return with findings.

• Do NOT commit. Leave all changes uncommitted — the reviewer reviews and commits.

Runtime Summary Artifact

MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/coordinator_summary_contract.md , shared/references/worker_runtime_contract.md , shared/references/task_worker_runtime_contract.md

Shared contract:

• emit summary_kind=task-status

• standalone mode omits runId and summaryArtifactPath

• managed mode passes both runId and exact summaryArtifactPath before the worker writes its validated summary

Monitor (2.1.98+): For test/coverage commands expected >30s, use Monitor . Fallback: Bash(run_in_background=true) .

Definition of Done

• Task identified as test task and set to In Progress; kanban updated

• Plan validated (priority/limits) and guides read

• Tests implemented/updated and executed; existing failures fixed

• Docs/infra updates applied per task plan

• Task set to To Review; kanban moved; summary comment added with commands and coverage

• Runtime summary artifact written to the shared task-status location.

Test Failure Analysis Protocol

CRITICAL: When a newly written test fails, STOP and analyze BEFORE changing anything (failing new tests often indicate implementation bugs, not test issues — fixing blindly masks root cause).

Step 1: Verify Test Correctness

• Does test match AC requirements exactly? (Given/When/Then from Story)

• Is expected value correct per business logic?

• If uncertain: Query ref_search_documentation(query="[domain] expected behavior")

Step 2: Decision

Test matches AC? Action

YES BUG IN CODE → Fix implementation, not test

NO Test is wrong → Fix test assertion

UNCERTAIN MANDATORY: Query MCP Ref + ask user before changing

Step 3: Document in Linear comment "Test [name] failed. Analysis: [test correct / test wrong]. Action: [fixed code / fixed test]. Reason: [justification]"

RED FLAGS (require user confirmation):

• ⚠️ Changing assertion to match actual output ("make test green")

• ⚠️ Removing test case that "doesn't work"

• ⚠️ Weakening expectations (e.g., toContain instead of toEqual )

GREEN LIGHTS (safe to proceed):

• ✅ Fixing typo in test setup/mock data

• ✅ Fixing code to match AC requirements

• ✅ Adding missing test setup step

Test Writing Principles

1. Strict Assertions - Fail on Any Mismatch

Use exact match assertions by default:

Strict (PREFER) Loose (AVOID unless justified)

Exact equality check Partial/substring match

Exact length check "Has any length" check

Full object comparison Partial object match

Exact type check Truthy/falsy check

WARN-level assertions FORBIDDEN - test either PASS or FAIL, no warnings.

2. Expected-Based Testing for Deterministic Output

For deterministic responses (API, transformations):

• Use snapshot/golden file testing for complex deterministic output

• Compare actual output vs expected reference file

• Normalize dynamic data before comparison (timestamps → fixed, UUIDs → placeholder)

3. Golden Rule

"If you know the expected value, assert the exact value."

Forbidden: Using loose assertions to "make test pass" when exact value is known.

Reference Files

• Environment state: shared/references/environment_state_contract.md

• Storage mode operations: shared/references/storage_mode_detection.md

• Kanban format: docs/tasks/kanban_board.md

• MANDATORY READ: Load shared/references/research_tool_fallback.md

Version: 3.2.0 Last Updated: 2026-01-15