---
name: a5c-ai/strict-tdd
source: https://app.decimal.ai/s/a5c-ai-strict-tdd@1/SKILL.md
source_sha256: a9612f03056b
---

## TDD Cycle

### RED Phase
1. Write a test that captures exactly one acceptance criterion
2. Run the test -- it MUST fail
3. Verify it fails for the RIGHT reason (not a syntax error)
4. Commit: `test: add failing test for [criterion]`

### GREEN Phase
1. Write the MINIMUM code to make the test pass
2. Run the test -- it MUST pass
3. Verify only the target test turned green (no side effects)
4. Commit: `feat: implement [criterion]`

### REFACTOR Phase
1. Clean up code while keeping ALL tests green
2. Remove duplication, improve naming, extract methods
3. Run full test suite -- ALL tests MUST pass
4. Commit: `refactor: clean up [area]`

## Compliance Scoring

| Score | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| 90-100 | Exemplary TDD: all cycles followed correctly |
| 70-89 | Good TDD: minor deviations |
| 50-69 | Partial TDD: some implementation before tests |
| 0-49 | TDD violation: significant implementation without tests |

## Verification Methods

1. **Git History Analysis**: Test files must appear in commits before implementation files
2. **Coverage Analysis**: New code must have >90% test coverage
3. **Commit Message Convention**: RED/GREEN/REFACTOR phases identifiable in messages