tdd-workflow
Makes your agent follow test-driven development principles. It focuses on the cycle of writing tests, making code pass, and refactoring.
What it does
This skill helps you write code in an organized and reliable way. It guides you through a cycle where you first write a failing test, then the minimal code to make it pass, and finally improve the code's quality.
When to use it
- ✓When starting a new feature.
- ✓When fixing a bug.
- ✓When working with complex logic.
Example of what to ask your AI
“Help me apply the TDD cycle to create a function that adds two numbers.”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
The AI follows a cycle: first, you describe what the code should do and the AI writes a failing test. Then, the AI writes the simplest code to make the test pass. Finally, the AI reviews and improves the code without breaking the tests.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill tdd-workflowOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/tdd-workflow/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
TDD Workflow
Write tests first, code second.
1. The TDD Cycle
🔴 RED → Write failing test
↓
🟢 GREEN → Write minimal code to pass
↓
🔵 REFACTOR → Improve code quality
↓
Repeat...
2. The Three Laws of TDD
- Write production code only to make a failing test pass
- Write only enough test to demonstrate failure
- Write only enough code to make the test pass
3. RED Phase Principles
What to Write
| Focus | Example |
|---|---|
| Behavior | "should add two numbers" |
| Edge cases | "should handle empty input" |
| Error states | "should throw for invalid data" |
RED Phase Rules
- Test must fail first
- Test name describes expected behavior
- One assertion per test (ideally)
4. GREEN Phase Principles
Minimum Code
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| YAGNI | You Aren't Gonna Need It |
| Simplest thing | Write the minimum to pass |
| No optimization | Just make it work |
GREEN Phase Rules
- Don't write unneeded code
- Don't optimize yet
- Pass the test, nothing more
5. REFACTOR Phase Principles
What to Improve
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Duplication | Extract common code |
| Naming | Make intent clear |
| Structure | Improve organization |
| Complexity | Simplify logic |
REFACTOR Rules
- All tests must stay green
- Small incremental changes
- Commit after each refactor
6. AAA Pattern
Every test follows:
| Step | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Arrange | Set up test data |
| Act | Execute code under test |
| Assert | Verify expected outcome |
7. When to Use TDD
| Scenario | TDD Value |
|---|---|
| New feature | High |
| Bug fix | High (write test first) |
| Complex logic | High |
| Exploratory | Low (spike, then TDD) |
| UI layout | Low |
8. Test Prioritization
| Priority | Test Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Happy path |
| 2 | Error cases |
| 3 | Edge cases |
| 4 | Performance |
9. Anti-Patterns
| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|---|---|
| Skip the RED phase | Watch test fail first |
| Write tests after | Write tests before |
| Over-engineer initial | Keep it simple |
| Multiple asserts | One behavior per test |
| Test implementation | Test behavior |
10. AI-Augmented TDD
Multi-Agent Pattern
| Agent | Role |
|---|---|
| Agent A | Write failing tests (RED) |
| Agent B | Implement to pass (GREEN) |
| Agent C | Optimize (REFACTOR) |
Remember: The test is the specification. If you can't write a test, you don't understand the requirement.
When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
FAQ
What do 'RED', 'GREEN', 'REFACTOR' mean?
'RED' is when the test fails. 'GREEN' is when the code makes the test pass. 'REFACTOR' is when you improve the code while keeping everything working.
Why write the test before the code?
Writing the test first ensures you know exactly what the code needs to do and helps avoid unnecessary code.
What is 'YAGNI'?
YAGNI stands for 'You Aren't Gonna Need It'. It's a principle to write only the code that is strictly necessary at the moment.
Details
Original description by the author
Test-Driven Development workflow principles. RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle.
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 48k
- Ranking position
- #4319
- License
- MIT
- Updated
- 10/15/2026
Comments
- …
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