Imported from cbbkrd-tech/jl-finishes (.claude/skills/ln-140-test-docs-creator/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add cbbkrd-tech/jl-finishes --skill ln-140-test-docs-creator. Copyright stays with the author.

Paths: File paths (shared/, references/, ../ln-*) are relative to skills repo root. If not found at CWD, locate this SKILL.md directory and go up one level for repo root.

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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: 2-5 E2E, 3-8 Integration, 5-15 Unit per Story (10-28 total max), Priority ≥15 MUST be tested
• 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

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)

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 Levels section checked (2-5 E2E, 3-8 Integration, 5-15 Unit)
• 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

Technical Details

Standards:

• Story-Level Test Task Pattern
• Value-Based Testing (2-5 E2E, 3-8 Integration, 5-15 Unit, 10-28 total max per Story)
• Risk-Based Testing (Priority ≥15)

Language: English only

Auto-Discovery Support:

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

Version: 7.2.0 Last Updated: 2026-01-15