Runs a single Story final test task (label "tests") through implementation/execution to To Review.
Purpose & Scope
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Handle only tasks labeled "tests"; other tasks go to ln-401.
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Follow the 11-section test task plan (E2E/Integration/Unit, infra/docs/cleanup).
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Enforce risk-based constraints: Priority ≤15; E2E 2-5, Integration 0-8, Unit 0-15, total 10-28; no framework/DB/library/performance tests.
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Update Linear/kanban for this task only: Todo -> In Progress -> To Review.
Task Storage 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
| update_issue(id, state)
| Edit the **Status:** line in file
| Test results | Linear comment | Append to task file
File Mode transitions: Todo → In Progress → To Review
Workflow (concise)
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Receive task: Get task ID from orchestrator (ln-400); 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.
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Read runbook: Read
docs/project/runbook.md— understand test environment setup, Docker commands, test execution prerequisites. Use exact commands from runbook. -
Validate plan: Check Priority ≤15 and test count limits; ensure focus on business flows (no infra-only tests).
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Start work: Set task In Progress (Linear: update_issue; File: Edit status line); move in kanban.
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Implement & run: Author/update tests per plan; reuse existing fixtures/helpers; run tests; fix failing existing tests; update infra/doc sections as required.
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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
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Single-task only; no bulk updates.
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Do not mark Done; ln-402 approves. Task must end in To Review.
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Keep language (EN/RU) consistent with task.
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No framework/library/DB/performance/load tests; focus on business logic correctness (not infrastructure throughput).
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Respect limits and priority; if violated, stop and return with findings.
Definition of Done
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Task identified as test task and set to In Progress; kanban updated.
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Plan validated (priority/limits) and guides read.
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Tests implemented/updated and executed; existing failures fixed.
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Docs/infra updates applied per task plan.
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Task set to To Review; kanban moved; summary comment added with commands and coverage.
Test Failure Analysis Protocol
CRITICAL: When a newly written test fails, STOP and analyze BEFORE changing anything.
Step 1: Verify Test Correctness
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Does test match AC requirements exactly? (Given/When/Then from Story)
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Is expected value correct per business logic?
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If uncertain: Query
ref_search_documentation(query="[domain] expected behavior")
Step 2: Decision
| 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):
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⚠️ Changing assertion to match actual output ("make test green")
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⚠️ Removing test case that "doesn't work"
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⚠️ Weakening expectations (e.g.,
toContaininstead oftoEqual)
GREEN LIGHTS (safe to proceed):
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✅ Fixing typo in test setup/mock data
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✅ Fixing code to match AC requirements
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✅ Adding missing test setup step
Test Writing Principles
1. Strict Assertions - Fail on Any Mismatch
Use exact match assertions by default:
| 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):
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Use snapshot/golden file testing for complex deterministic output
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Compare actual output vs expected reference file
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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
- Kanban format:
docs/tasks/kanban_board.md
Version: 3.2.0 (Added Test Writing Principles: strict assertions, expected-based testing, golden rule) Last Updated: 2026-01-15