TDD Feature

Build new features using the red-green-refactor cycle. Tests define the spec, AI generates the implementation, tests verify correctness.

When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user:

• Wants to "TDD a new feature" or "build test-first"
• Says "I want tests before code"
• Asks for "red-green-refactor" workflow
• Wants AI to generate code that's provably correct
• Is building a new module, service, or feature from scratch

Why TDD for New Features with AI

Traditional:     AI generates code → You hope it's correct → Ship → Find bugs
TDD with AI:     You write tests (spec) → AI generates code to pass → Proven correct

The test is your acceptance criteria in code form. AI excels at going from failing test to passing implementation — it's a concrete, unambiguous target.

Process

Phase 1: Define the Feature

Before writing any code or tests, understand:

1. What does this feature do? (user story or requirement)
2. What are the inputs? (parameters, user actions, data)
3. What are the outputs? (return values, state changes, UI updates)
4. What are the edge cases? (empty, nil, error, boundary)
5. What dependencies does it need? (network, storage, other services)

Phase 2: Design the API Surface

Sketch the public interface before writing tests:

swift
// Example: Designing a FavoriteManager
protocol FavoriteManaging {
    func add(_ item: Item) async throws
    func remove(_ item: Item) async throws
    func isFavorite(_ item: Item) -> Bool
    var favorites: [Item] { get }
    var count: Int { get }
}

This doesn't need to compile yet — it's the contract you'll test against.

Phase 3: RED — Write Failing Tests

Write tests for each behavior. Start with the simplest case and build up.

Order of Tests (Simple → Complex)

1. Construction — can you create the object?
2. Happy path — does the basic operation work?
3. State verification — does state update correctly?
4. Edge cases — empty, nil, boundaries
5. Error handling — what fails and how?
6. Integration — does it work with dependencies?

Template: Feature Test Suite

swift
import Testing
@testable import YourApp

@Suite("FavoriteManager")
struct FavoriteManagerTests {

    // 1. Construction
    @Test("starts with empty favorites")
    func startsEmpty() {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        #expect(manager.favorites.isEmpty)
        #expect(manager.count == 0)
    }

    // 2. Happy path
    @Test("can add a favorite")
    func addFavorite() async throws {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        let item = Item(id: "1", title: "Test")

        try await manager.add(item)

        #expect(manager.count == 1)
        #expect(manager.isFavorite(item))
    }

    // 3. State verification
    @Test("can remove a favorite")
    func removeFavorite() async throws {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        let item = Item(id: "1", title: "Test")
        try await manager.add(item)

        try await manager.remove(item)

        #expect(manager.count == 0)
        #expect(!manager.isFavorite(item))
    }

    // 4. Edge cases
    @Test("adding duplicate does not increase count")
    func addDuplicate() async throws {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        let item = Item(id: "1", title: "Test")

        try await manager.add(item)
        try await manager.add(item)

        #expect(manager.count == 1)
    }

    @Test("removing non-existent item does nothing")
    func removeNonExistent() async throws {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        let item = Item(id: "1", title: "Test")

        try await manager.remove(item)

        #expect(manager.count == 0)
    }

    // 5. Error handling
    @Test("throws when storage is full")
    func storageFullError() async {
        let manager = FavoriteManager(maxCapacity: 2)
        let items = (1...3).map { Item(id: "\($0)", title: "Item \($0)") }

        await #expect(throws: FavoriteError.capacityExceeded) {
            for item in items {
                try await manager.add(item)
            }
        }
    }

    // 6. Ordering
    @Test("favorites are in insertion order")
    func insertionOrder() async throws {
        let manager = FavoriteManager()
        let items = ["C", "A", "B"].map { Item(id: $0, title: $0) }

        for item in items {
            try await manager.add(item)
        }

        #expect(manager.favorites.map(\.title) == ["C", "A", "B"])
    }
}

Run tests — they should ALL fail (the type doesn't even exist yet).

Phase 4: GREEN — Implement to Pass

Now implement the feature. Pass the tests as context to AI:

Prompt to Claude: "Here are my failing tests for FavoriteManager.
Implement the FavoriteManager class to make all tests pass.
Follow the protocol FavoriteManaging."

Implementation Rules

• One test at a time — make the first test pass, then the second, etc.
• Write the simplest code that passes each test
• Don't anticipate future tests — only satisfy current failing tests
• Run tests after each change

bash
xcodebuild test -scheme YourApp \
  -only-testing "YourAppTests/FavoriteManagerTests"

Phase 5: REFACTOR

With all tests green, clean up the implementation:

• Extract helper methods
• Improve naming
• Remove duplication
• Optimize performance (if tests cover perf requirements)

Run tests after every refactor step. If any test fails, you've changed behavior — revert.

Phase 6: Integration

Once the unit is solid, write integration tests:

swift
@Suite("FavoriteManager Integration")
struct FavoriteManagerIntegrationTests {

    @Test("persists favorites across sessions")
    func persistence() async throws {
        let store = InMemoryStore()

        // Session 1: Add favorite
        let manager1 = FavoriteManager(store: store)
        try await manager1.add(Item(id: "1", title: "Test"))

        // Session 2: Verify it persists
        let manager2 = FavoriteManager(store: store)
        await manager2.loadFavorites()

        #expect(manager2.count == 1)
    }
}

TDD Rhythm

RED    → Write one failing test (30 seconds - 2 minutes)
GREEN  → Make it pass with simplest code (1 - 5 minutes)
REFACTOR → Clean up while tests stay green (1 - 3 minutes)
REPEAT → Next test

Cadence matters. If you're spending more than 5 minutes on GREEN, the test might be too big. Break it into smaller tests.

Test Categories by Feature Type

ViewModel Feature

swift
@Suite("SearchViewModel")
struct SearchViewModelTests {
    @Test("starts in idle state")
    @Test("searching updates state to loading")
    @Test("successful search shows results")
    @Test("empty search shows empty state")
    @Test("failed search shows error")
    @Test("debounces rapid input")
    @Test("cancels previous search on new input")
}

Data Layer Feature

swift
@Suite("ItemRepository")
struct ItemRepositoryTests {
    @Test("fetches items from remote")
    @Test("caches fetched items locally")
    @Test("returns cached items when offline")
    @Test("syncs local changes to remote")
    @Test("handles conflict resolution")
    @Test("deletes expire cached items")
}

Business Logic Feature

swift
@Suite("SubscriptionManager")
struct SubscriptionManagerTests {
    @Test("free user has basic access")
    @Test("pro user has full access")
    @Test("expired subscription reverts to free")
    @Test("family member inherits subscription")
    @Test("trial period grants pro access")
    @Test("grace period maintains access after lapse")
}

Output Format

markdown
## TDD Feature: [Feature Name]

### API Design

// Protocol / public interface

### Tests Written (RED)
1. `startsEmpty` — Initial state
2. `addFavorite` — Happy path
3. `removeFavorite` — State change
4. `addDuplicate` — Edge case
5. `removeNonExistent` — Edge case
6. `storageFullError` — Error handling

### Implementation (GREEN)
**File**: `Sources/Features/FavoriteManager.swift`
All [X] tests passing.

### Refactoring Done
- Extracted storage logic to private method
- Renamed internal property for clarity

### Next Steps
- [ ] Add integration tests with persistence
- [ ] Wire up to ViewModel
- [ ] Add UI for favorite toggle

Common Pitfalls

| Pitfall | Problem | Solution | |---------|---------|----------| | Writing too many tests before implementing | Overwhelming; can't see progress | Write 2-3 tests, implement, repeat | | Tests that test implementation | Brittle; break on refactor | Test behavior and outcomes only | | Skipping the refactor step | Accumulating technical debt | Refactor every 3-5 green cycles | | AI implementing beyond the tests | Untested code in production | Only implement what tests require | | Not running tests after each change | Silent regressions | xcodebuild test after every edit |

References

• Kent Beck, Test-Driven Development: By Example
• testing/test-contract/ — for protocol-level test suites
• testing/test-data-factory/ — for reducing test setup boilerplate
• generators/test-generator/ — for standalone test generation