tdd-guard

TDD Guard

Automated Test-Driven Development enforcement for Claude Code.

Overview

TDD Guard ensures Claude Code follows Test-Driven Development principles. When your agent tries to skip tests or over-implement, TDD Guard blocks the action and explains what needs to happen instead.

Click to watch TDD Guard in action

Features

• Test-First Enforcement - Blocks implementation without failing tests
• Minimal Implementation - Prevents code beyond current test requirements
• Lint Integration - Enforces refactoring using your linting rules
• Customizable Rules - Adjust validation rules to match your TDD style
• Flexible Validation - Choose faster or more capable models for your needs
• Session Control - Toggle on and off mid-session

Getting Started

Requirements

• Node.js 22+
• A supported test framework (Vitest, Jest, Storybook, pytest, PHPUnit, Go, Rust, RSpec, Minitest)

Installation

Open Claude Code in your project and run:

1. /plugin marketplace add nizos/tdd-guard
2. /plugin install tdd-guard@tdd-guard
3. /tdd-guard:setup

This adds the marketplace, installs the plugin, and configures the test reporter for your project. You may need to restart your terminal session or IDE extension for the setup skill to appear. For manual installation and configuration, see the installation guide.

Configuration

• Custom instructions - Customize TDD validation rules
• Lint integration - Automated refactoring support
• Strengthening enforcement - Prevent agents from bypassing validation
• Ignore patterns - Control which files are validated
• Validation Model - Choose faster or more capable model
• All settings - Complete settings documentation

Security

TDD Guard hooks run with your user permissions. We maintain automated security scanning, dependency audits, and welcome source code review. See Claude Code's security considerations for more on hook safety.

Development

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! See the contributing guidelines to get started.

Contributors:

• Python/pytest support: @Durafen
• PHP/PHPUnit support: @wazum
• Rust/cargo support: @104hp6u
• Go support: @sQVe, @wizzomafizzo
• Storybook support: @akornmeier
• Ruby/RSpec & Minitest support: @Hiro-Chiba

Roadmap

• Expand language and test framework support
• Validate file modifications made through MCPs and shell commands
• Encourage meaningful refactoring opportunities when tests are green
• Add support for multiple concurrent sessions per project

Related Projects

Conduct

A policy engine that generalizes this approach across coding agents (Claude Code, Codex, and Copilot). Works with any language and test runner, supports parallel agent sessions, and ships rules beyond TDD.

For new projects, Conduct is the better starting point. Its TDD validator reads recent agent activity directly, giving richer context for distinguishing refactors from new behavior.

Stay on TDD Guard if you use its lint integration. Conduct doesn't have an equivalent yet. TDD Guard remains actively maintained.

Support

• Discussions - Ask questions and share ideas
• Issues - Report bugs and request features

License

MIT