test-kitchen

Test Kitchen

You have a spec. Three valid approaches exist. Instead of guessing which one to build, Test Kitchen builds all of them in parallel git worktrees and lets your tests pick the winner.

Read more: Cookoff: Same Spec, Different Code · Omakase: Show Me

Parallel implementation framework with two gate skills:

Skill	Gate	Trigger
test-kitchen:omakase-off	Entry	FIRST on any build/create/implement request
test-kitchen:cookoff	Exit	At design→implementation transition

Installation

/plugin marketplace add 2389-research/claude-plugins
/plugin install test-kitchen@2389-research

Flow

"Build X" / "Create Y" / "Implement Z"
    ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  OMAKASE-OFF (entry gate)           │
│  Wraps brainstorming                │
│                                     │
│  Choice:                            │
│  1. Brainstorm together             │
│  2. Omakase (3-5 parallel designs)  │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
    ↓
[Brainstorming / Design phase]
    ↓
Design complete, "let's implement"
    ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  COOKOFF (exit gate)                │
│  Wraps implementation               │
│                                     │
│  Choice:                            │
│  1. Cookoff (2-5 parallel agents)   │
│  2. Single subagent                 │
│  3. Local implementation            │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
    ↓
[Implementation]

Quick examples

Entry gate: omakase-off

When you make a build/create request:

User: "Build a notification system"

Claude: I'm using test-kitchen:omakase-off.

How would you like to explore this?

1. Brainstorm together - We'll work through the design step by step
2. Omakase - I'll generate 3-5 best approaches, implement in parallel, tests pick winner

Which approach?

Option 1 (Brainstorm) proceeds to brainstorming skill (or fallback brainstorming), with passive slot detection.

Option 2 (Omakase) does the following:

• Quick context gathering (1-2 questions)
• Generate 3-5 architectural approaches
• Implement ALL in parallel via git worktrees
• Run same scenario tests on each
• Fresh-eyes review survivors
• Present comparison, user picks winner

During brainstorming, slot detection can also trigger it:

Claude: What storage approach would you prefer?
User: "not sure, either could work"

Claude: [marks storage as architectural slot]

Claude: For authentication?
User: "no preference, you pick"

Claude: [marks auth as slot, detects 2+ uncertain responses]

You seem flexible on the approach. Would you like to:
1. I'll pick what seems best and continue
2. Explore multiple approaches in parallel (omakase-off)
   → I'll implement 2-3 variants and let tests decide

Exit gate: cookoff

User: "Looks good, let's implement"

Claude: I'm using test-kitchen:cookoff.

How would you like to implement this design?

1. Cookoff (recommended) - 3 parallel agents, each creates own plan, pick best
   → Complexity: medium feature
2. Single subagent - One agent plans and implements
3. Local - Plan and implement here

Which approach?

Option 1 (Cookoff):

• Each agent reads the same design doc
• Each agent creates their OWN implementation plan
• All implement in parallel
• Fresh-eyes review, compare results
• User picks winner

Options 2/3 -- single agent or local implementation proceeds normally.

Why aggressive triggers

Skills can't passively detect "uncertainty" or "readiness" -- they must claim specific moments in the conversation flow.

• Omakase-off claims the BUILD/CREATE moment (before brainstorming)
• Cookoff claims the IMPLEMENT moment (after design)

Dependencies

Test Kitchen orchestrates these skills (falls back gracefully if not installed):

• superpowers:brainstorming
• superpowers:writing-plans
• superpowers:executing-plans
• superpowers:using-git-worktrees
• superpowers:dispatching-parallel-agents
• superpowers:test-driven-development
• superpowers:verification-before-completion
• scenario-testing:skills
• fresh-eyes-review:skills
• superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch

Documentation

• CLAUDE.md -- full plugin instructions
• Omakase-off skill -- entry gate (wraps brainstorming)
• Cookoff skill -- exit gate (wraps implementation)

Origin

Named after a restaurant test kitchen, where chefs try multiple approaches before putting a dish on the menu.

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If Test Kitchen saved you from building the wrong approach first, a ⭐ helps us know it's landing.

Built by 2389 · Part of the Claude Code plugin marketplace