TDD Scaffold Review

Evaluate whether test names serve as clear executable specifications for Test-Driven Development. Approach this as a senior engineer writing failing tests: can you write each RED test without inventing unspecified behavior?

Announce: "I'm using the TDD Scaffold Review skill to evaluate test names for specification clarity."

Core Evaluation Principle

A test name is Ready when you can write a failing test without guessing the intended behavior. This means understanding:

1. The preconditions/inputs
2. The observable outcome
3. Any error or edge handling implied
4. You can write the test without inventing unspecified behavior

A test name Needs Clarification when the intended behavior is ambiguous or underspecified.

Evaluation Process

For each test name in the scaffold:

1. Parse the test name - Identify the method, assertion, and condition components
2. Assess clarity - Determine if you could write the RED test without inventing requirements
3. Document decision - Mark as Ready with clear preconditions/outcomes, or list minimal clarifying questions

Output Format

Generate a Markdown report with this structure:

## Summary
- Ready: <count>
- Needs Clarification: <count>

## Tests
For each test **in source order**:

### <Exact Test Name>
- Status: **Ready** | **Needs Clarification**

For Ready tests, add:

• Preconditions (bullet list of setup requirements)
• Expected Outcome (bullet list of observable assertions)

For Needs Clarification tests, add:

• Questions:
  1. <Specific, minimal question>
  2. <Another focused question>
• Any minimal assumptions derivable from the name (optional)

Evaluation Guidelines

Clear Enough (Ready)

Test names that specify:

• Concrete outcomes: shouldReturnFalse, shouldThrowException, shouldIncreaseBy10
• Specific conditions: onNullInput, whenBalanceIsZero, afterTimeout
• Measurable behavior: shouldCompleteWithin5Seconds, shouldLogTwice

Too Vague (Needs Clarification)

Test names with:

• Ambiguous outcomes: shouldWork, shouldHandleCorrectly, shouldBeGood
• Unclear conditions: onBadInput, whenInvalid (without context)
• Non-observable qualities: shouldBeEfficient, shouldBeFast

Keep Questions Surgical

• Surgical means precise, unambiguous, focused on one behavior
• Minimal means only what's necessary to remove ambiguity
• One behavior per question
• Prefer domain terms from the test name; avoid introducing new terminology
• Don't suggest redesigns - only ask what's needed to understand intent

Common Patterns

Method-Assertion-Condition: test_addFunds_shouldIncreaseBalance_onValidAmount

• Method: addFunds
• Assertion: balance increases
• Condition: valid amount provided

Method-Assertion: test_logout_shouldClearSession

• Method: logout
• Assertion: session cleared
• Condition: (implicit - user logged in)

References

For detailed examples of ready vs unclear test names:

• See references/examples.md for pattern recognition

Scope Notes

• Focus only on specification clarity, not implementation
• Don't critique naming style or conventions
• Don't suggest test improvements or alternatives
• Assess only what's written; if requirements are missing, ask instead of inferring
• Do not restate the whole spec; be concise and specific per test