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Test Documentation Creator

This skill creates and validates test documentation: testing-strategy.md (universal testing philosophy) + tests/README.md (test organization structure and Story-Level Test Task Pattern).

Purpose

Creates and validates test documentation (testing-strategy.md + tests/README.md) establishing universal testing philosophy, Risk-Based Testing strategy, and Story-Level Test Task Pattern for any project.

When to Use This Skill

This skill is a L2 WORKER invoked by ln-100-documents-pipeline orchestrator.

This skill should be used directly when:

• Creating only test documentation (testing-strategy.md + tests/README.md)
• Validating existing test documentation structure and content
• Setting up test philosophy and structure documentation for existing project
• NOT creating full documentation structure (use ln-100-documents-pipeline for complete setup)

Workflow

The skill follows a 3-phase workflow: CREATE → VALIDATE STRUCTURE → VALIDATE CONTENT. Each phase builds on the previous, ensuring complete structure and semantic validation.

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Phase 1: Create Test Documentation

Objective: Establish test philosophy and documentation structure.

Process:

1.1 Check & create directories:

• Check if docs/reference/guides/ exists → create if missing
• Check if tests/ exists → create if missing
• Check if tests/manual/ exists → create if missing
• Check if tests/manual/results/ exists → create if missing
• Add tests/manual/results/ to project .gitignore if not present
• Log for each: "✓ Created [directory]/" or "✓ [directory]/ already exists"

1.2 Check & create documentation files:

• Check if docs/reference/guides/testing-strategy.md exists

• If exists:

  • Skip creation
  • Log: "✓ testing-strategy.md already exists, proceeding to validation"

• If NOT exists:

  • Copy template: ln-114-test-docs-creator/references/testing_strategy_template.md → docs/reference/guides/testing-strategy.md
  • Replace placeholders:
    • [CURRENT_DATE] — current date (YYYY-MM-DD)
  • Log: "✓ Created testing-strategy.md from template"

• Check if tests/README.md exists

• If exists:

  • Skip creation
  • Log: "✓ tests/README.md already exists, proceeding to validation"

• If NOT exists:

  • Copy template: ln-114-test-docs-creator/references/tests_readme_template.md → tests/README.md
  • Replace placeholders:
    • {{DATE}} — current date (YYYY-MM-DD)
  • Log: "✓ Created tests/README.md from template"

1.3 Output:

docs/reference/guides/
└── testing-strategy.md           # Created or existing

tests/
├── README.md                     # Created or existing
└── manual/
    └── results/                  # Created, added to .gitignore

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Phase 2: Validate Structure

Objective: Ensure test documentation files comply with structural requirements and auto-fix violations.

Process:

2.1 Check SCOPE tags:

• Read both files (testing-strategy.md, tests/README.md) - first 5 lines only
• Check for <!-- SCOPE: ... --> tag in each
• Expected SCOPE tags:
  • testing-strategy.md: <!-- SCOPE: Universal testing philosophy (Risk-Based Testing, test pyramid, isolation patterns) -->
  • tests/README.md: <!-- SCOPE: Test organization structure (directory layout, Story-Level Test Task Pattern) -->
• If missing in either file:
  • Use Edit tool to add SCOPE tag at line 1 (before first heading)
  • Track violation: scope_tags_added += 1

2.2 Check required sections:

• Load expected sections from references/questions.md
• For testing-strategy.md, required sections:
  • "Testing Philosophy"
  • "Test Levels"
• For tests/README.md, required sections:
  • "Test Organization"
  • "Running Tests"
• For each file:
  • Read file content
  • Check if ## [Section Name] header exists
  • If missing:
    • Use Edit tool to add section with placeholder content from template
    • Track violation: missing_sections += 1

2.3 Check Maintenance section:

• For each file (testing-strategy.md, tests/README.md):
  • Search for ## Maintenance header
  • If missing:
    • Use Edit tool to add at end of file:

      ## Maintenance
      
      **Last Updated:** [current date]
      
      **Update Triggers:**
      - Test framework changes
      - Test organization changes
      - New test patterns introduced
      
      **Verification:**
      - [ ] All test examples follow current framework syntax
      - [ ] Directory structure matches actual tests/
      - [ ] Test runner commands are current
      

    • Track violation: maintenance_added += 1

2.4 Check POSIX file endings:

• For each file:
  • Check if file ends with single blank line (LF)
  • If missing:
    • Use Edit tool to add final newline
    • Track fix: posix_fixed += 1

2.5 Report validation:

• Log summary:

  ✅ Structure validation complete:
    - SCOPE tags: [added N / already present]
    - Missing sections: [added N sections]
    - Maintenance sections: [added N / already present]
    - POSIX endings: [fixed N / compliant]
  

• If violations found: "⚠️ Auto-fixed [total] structural violations"

---

Phase 3: Validate Content

Objective: Ensure each section answers its questions with meaningful content and populate test-specific sections from auto-discovery.

Process:

3.1 Load validation spec:

• Read references/questions.md
• Parse questions and validation heuristics for 4 sections (2 per file)

3.2 Validate testing-strategy.md sections:

For this file, use standard template content (no auto-discovery needed):

1. Testing Philosophy section:

   • Read section content
   • Check validation heuristics from questions.md:
     • ✅ Mentions "Risk-Based Testing"
     • ✅ Has test pyramid description
     • ✅ Mentions priority threshold (≥15)
     • ✅ References Story-Level Test Task Pattern
     • ✅ Length > 100 words
   • If ANY heuristic passes → content valid
   • If ALL fail → log warning: "⚠️ testing-strategy.md → Testing Philosophy section may need review"

2. Test Levels section:

   • Read section content
   • Check validation heuristics from questions.md:
     • ✅ Lists 3 levels (E2E, Integration, Unit)
     • ✅ Has numeric ranges (2-5, 3-8, 5-15)
     • ✅ Explains rationale
     • ✅ Length > 150 words
   • If ANY heuristic passes → content valid
   • If ALL fail → log warning: "⚠️ testing-strategy.md → Test Levels section may need review"

Note: testing-strategy.md is universal philosophy - no project-specific auto-discovery needed.

3.3 Validate tests/README.md sections with auto-discovery:

Section: Test Organization

1. Auto-discover test framework:

   • Check package.json → "devDependencies" and "dependencies":
     • Node.js frameworks: jest, vitest, mocha, ava, tap, jasmine
     • If found: Extract name and version
   • Check requirements.txt (if Python project):
     • Python frameworks: pytest, nose2, unittest2
     • If found: Extract name and version
   • Check go.mod (if Go project):
     • Go uses built-in testing package
   • If framework detected:
     • Log: "✓ Test framework detected: [framework]@[version]"
     • Track: framework_detected = "[framework]"
   • If NOT detected:
     • Log: "⚠️ No test framework detected. Will use generic test organization."
     • Track: framework_detected = None

2. Auto-discover test directory structure:

   • Use Glob tool to scan tests/ directory:
     • Pattern: "tests/e2e/**/*.{js,ts,py,go}"
     • Pattern: "tests/integration/**/*.{js,ts,py,go}"
     • Pattern: "tests/unit/**/*.{js,ts,py,go}"
   • Count files in each directory:
     • e2e_count = len(e2e_files)
     • integration_count = len(integration_files)
     • unit_count = len(unit_files)
   • If directories exist:
     • Log: "✓ Test structure: [e2e_count] E2E, [integration_count] Integration, [unit_count] Unit tests"
   • If directories DON'T exist:
     • Create placeholder structure:

       tests/
         e2e/       (empty, ready for E2E tests)
         integration/  (empty, ready for Integration tests)
         unit/      (empty, ready for Unit tests)
       

     • Log: "✓ Created test directory structure (will be populated during Story test task execution)"

3. Auto-discover naming conventions:

   • For each test file found (from step 2):
     • Extract filename pattern:
       • *.test.js → "*.test.js" convention
       • *.spec.ts → "*.spec.ts" convention
       • test_*.py → "test_*.py" convention
       • *_test.go → "*_test.go" convention
   • Count occurrences of each pattern
   • Use most common pattern (majority rule)
   • If pattern detected:
     • Log: "✓ Naming convention: [pattern] (detected from [count] files)"
   • If NO files exist:
     • Use framework default:
       • Jest/Vitest → *.test.js
       • Mocha → *.spec.js
       • Pytest → test_*.py
       • Go → *_test.go
     • Log: "✓ Naming convention: [default_pattern] (framework default)"

4. Check Test Organization section content:

   • Read section from tests/README.md
   • Check validation heuristics:
     • ✅ Describes directory structure (e2e/integration/unit)
     • ✅ Mentions naming conventions
     • ✅ References Story-Level Test Task Pattern
     • ✅ Has framework mention
   • If ANY heuristic passes → content valid
   • If ALL fail → log warning: "⚠️ tests/README.md → Test Organization section needs update"

Section: Running Tests

1. Auto-discover test runner command:

   • Read package.json → "scripts" → "test"
   • If found:
     • Extract command value
     • Examples:
       • "jest" → Test runner: "npm test" (runs jest)
       • "vitest" → Test runner: "npm test" (runs vitest)
       • "mocha" → Test runner: "npm test" (runs mocha)
       • Custom script → Test runner: "npm test" (runs [custom])
     • Log: "✓ Test runner: npm test (runs [command])"
   • If NOT found (no package.json or no test script):
     • Use default based on detected framework (from step 3.3.1):
       • Jest → "npm test"
       • Vitest → "npm test"
       • Pytest → "pytest"
       • Go → "go test ./..."
     • Log: "⚠️ No test script found in package.json. Using default '[command]'."

2. Auto-discover coverage command (optional):

   • Check package.json → "scripts" for:
     • "test:coverage"
     • "coverage"
     • "test:cov"
   • If found:
     • Extract command
     • Log: "✓ Coverage command: npm run [script_name]"
   • If NOT found:
     • Use framework default:
       • Jest → "npm test -- --coverage"
       • Vitest → "npm test -- --coverage"
       • Pytest → "pytest --cov=src"
       • Go → "go test -cover ./..."
     • Log: "✓ Coverage command: [default] (framework default)"

3. Check Running Tests section content:

   • Read section from tests/README.md
   • Check validation heuristics:
     • ✅ Has test runner command
     • ✅ Mentions coverage
     • ✅ Shows how to run specific tests
     • ✅ Has command examples
   • If ANY heuristic passes → content valid
   • If ALL fail → log warning: "⚠️ tests/README.md → Running Tests section needs update"

3.4 Report content validation:

• Log summary:

  ✅ Content validation complete:
    - testing-strategy.md: [2 sections checked]
    - tests/README.md: [2 sections checked]
    - Test framework: [detected framework or "Not detected"]
    - Test structure: [e2e/integration/unit counts or "Created placeholder"]
    - Naming convention: [pattern or "Framework default"]
    - Test runner: [command]
    - Coverage command: [command]
  

---

Complete Output Structure

docs/reference/guides/
└── testing-strategy.md           # Universal testing philosophy (465 lines)

tests/
└── README.md                     # Test organization + Story-Level Pattern (112 lines)

Note: Actual test directories (e2e/, integration/, unit/) created during Story test task execution or Phase 3 if missing.

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Critical Rules

• Documentation only: This skill creates test DOCUMENTATION, NOT actual test code
• 3-phase pipeline: CREATE → VALIDATE STRUCTURE → VALIDATE CONTENT (no phase skipping)
• Auto-discovery first: Scan test frameworks and directory structure before falling back to defaults
• Idempotent execution: Checks existence before creation; re-validates on each run without duplication
• SCOPE tags required: Both files must have <!-- SCOPE: ... --> tag in first 5 lines

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Reference Files

• Risk-based testing methodology: shared/references/risk_based_testing_guide.md

Templates

Testing Strategy Template:

• references/testing_strategy_template.md - Universal testing philosophy with:
  • SCOPE tags (testing philosophy, NOT framework-specific)
  • Core Philosophy ("Test YOUR code, not frameworks")
  • Risk-Based Testing Strategy (Priority Matrix, test caps)
  • Story-Level Testing Pattern
  • Test Organization (E2E/Integration/Unit definitions)
  • Isolation Patterns (Data Deletion/Transaction Rollback/DB Recreation)
  • What To Test vs NOT Test (universal examples)
  • Testing Patterns (Arrange-Act-Assert, Mock at the Seam, Test Data Builders)
  • Common Issues (Flaky Tests, Slow Tests, Test Coupling)
  • Coverage Guidelines
  • Verification Checklist

Tests README Template:

• references/tests_readme_template.md - Test organization with:
  • SCOPE tags (test documentation ONLY)
  • Overview (E2E/Integration/Unit test organization)
  • Testing Philosophy (brief, link to testing-strategy.md)
  • Test Structure (directory tree)
  • Story-Level Test Task Pattern (tests in final Story task, NOT scattered)
  • Test Execution (project-specific commands)
  • Quick Navigation (links to testing-strategy.md, kanban_board, guidelines)
  • Maintenance section (Update Triggers, Verification, Last Updated)

Validation Specification:

• references/questions.md (v1.0.0) - Question-driven validation:
  • Questions each section must answer (4 sections total)
  • Validation heuristics (ANY passes → valid)
  • Auto-discovery hints (test frameworks, directory structure, naming conventions)
  • MCP Ref hints (external research if needed)

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Best Practices

• No premature validation: Phase 1 creates structure, Phase 2 validates it (no duplicate checks)
• Parametric validation: Phase 3 validates 4 sections across 2 files (no code duplication)
• Auto-discovery first: Scan test frameworks and directory structure before using defaults
• Idempotent: ✅ Can run multiple times safely (checks existence before creation, re-validates on each run)
• Separation of concerns: CREATE → VALIDATE STRUCTURE → VALIDATE CONTENT
• Story-Level Test Task Pattern: Tests consolidated in final Story task (test planner creates task, test executor implements)
• Value-Based Testing: Priority ≥15 MUST be tested, each test justified by Usefulness Criteria
• No test code: This skill creates DOCUMENTATION only, NOT actual tests

Documentation Standards

• NO_CODE Rule: Test docs describe strategy, not test implementations
• Stack Adaptation: Framework commands must match project stack
• Format Priority: Tables (test levels, counts) > Lists > Text

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Prerequisites

Invoked by: ln-110-documents-pipeline orchestrator

Requires:

• docs/reference/guides/ directory (created by ln-112-reference-docs-creator or Phase 1 if missing)

Creates:

• docs/reference/guides/testing-strategy.md (universal testing philosophy)
• tests/README.md (test organization structure)
• Validated structure and content (auto-discovery of test frameworks and directory structure)

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Definition of Done

Before completing work, verify ALL checkpoints:

✅ Structure Created (Phase 1):

• docs/reference/guides/ directory exists
• tests/ directory exists
• tests/manual/ directory exists
• tests/manual/results/ directory exists
• tests/manual/results/ added to .gitignore
• testing-strategy.md exists (created or existing)
• tests/README.md exists (created or existing)

✅ Structure Validated (Phase 2):

• SCOPE tags present in both files (first 5 lines)
• testing-strategy.md has "Testing Philosophy" and "Test Levels" sections
• tests/README.md has "Test Organization" and "Running Tests" sections
• Maintenance sections present in both files at end
• POSIX file endings compliant (LF, single blank line at EOF)

✅ Content Validated (Phase 3):

• testing-strategy.md → Testing Philosophy section checked (Risk-Based Testing mentioned)
• testing-strategy.md → Test Usefulness Criteria section checked
• tests/README.md → Test Organization section checked or auto-discovered
• tests/README.md → Running Tests section checked or auto-discovered
• Test framework detected (if applicable) and logged
• Test directory structure scanned or created
• Naming conventions detected or defaults used
• Test runner command identified or defaults used

✅ Reporting:

• Phase 1 logged: creation summary
• Phase 2 logged: structural fixes (if any)
• Phase 3 logged: content validation summary with auto-discovery results

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Technical Details

Standards:

• Story-Level Test Task Pattern
• Risk-Based Testing (Priority ≥15, Usefulness Criteria)

Language: English only

Auto-Discovery Support:

• Node.js: jest, vitest, mocha, ava, tap, jasmine
• Python: pytest, nose2, unittest2
• Go: built-in testing package

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Version: 7.2.0 Last Updated: 2026-01-15