---

name: test-specialist description: This skill should be used when writing test cases, fixing bugs, analyzing code for potential issues, or improving test coverage for JavaScript/TypeScript applications. Use this for unit tests, integration tests, end-to-end tests, debugging runtime errors, logic bugs, performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and systematic code analysis.

Test Specialist

Systematic testing methodologies and debugging techniques for JS/TS applications.

When to Use

Use for:

• Writing unit, integration, or E2E tests
• Fixing bugs and debugging
• Improving test coverage
• Analyzing code for potential issues
• Security and performance testing

Don't use when:

• Code review → use generic-code-reviewer
• Technical debt → use tech-debt-analyzer
• Feature development → use generic-feature-developer

Testing Stack by Project

Test Patterns

Unit Tests (AAA Pattern)

Copydescribe("calculateTotal", () => {
  test("sums amounts correctly", () => {
    // Arrange
    const items = [{ amount: 100 }, { amount: 50 }];
    // Act
    const total = calculateTotal(items);
    // Assert
    expect(total).toBe(150);
  });

  test("handles empty list", () => {
    expect(calculateTotal([])).toBe(0);
  });
});

Component Tests (User Behavior)

Copy// ✅ Test user behavior, not implementation
it('creates item when user clicks Add', async () => {
  const user = userEvent.setup();
  render(<ItemList />);

  await user.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add/i }));
  await user.type(screen.getByLabelText(/title/i), 'New item');
  await user.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /save/i }));

  expect(screen.getByText('New item')).toBeInTheDocument();
});

E2E Tests (Playwright)

Copyimport { test, expect } from "@playwright/test";

test("user can complete checkout", async ({ page }) => {
  await page.goto("/products");

  // Add to cart
  await page.click('button:has-text("Add to Cart")');
  await page.click('a:has-text("Cart")');

  // Checkout
  await page.click('button:has-text("Checkout")');
  await page.fill('[name="email"]', "test@example.com");
  await page.click('button:has-text("Place Order")');

  // Verify
  await expect(page.locator("h1")).toContainText("Order Confirmed");
});

Integration Tests

Copytest("POST /items creates item", async () => {
  const response = await request(app)
    .post("/api/items")
    .send({ name: "Test" })
    .expect(201);

  expect(response.body).toMatchObject({ id: expect.any(Number) });
});

Bug Analysis Process

1. Reproduce - Document exact steps, expected vs actual
2. Isolate - Binary search, minimal reproduction
3. Root Cause - Trace execution, check assumptions, git blame
4. Fix - Write failing test first, implement fix
5. Validate - Run full suite, test edge cases

Debugging Checklist

When debugging an issue:

• Can reproduce consistently
• Minimal reproduction created
• Console/network logs checked
• State at failure point inspected
• Git blame checked for recent changes
• Failing test written before fix

Common Bug Patterns

Race Conditions

Copytest("handles concurrent updates", async () => {
  const promises = Array.from({ length: 100 }, () => increment());
  await Promise.all(promises);
  expect(getCount()).toBe(100);
});

Null Safety

Copytest.each([null, undefined, "", 0])("handles invalid input: %p", (input) => {
  expect(() => process(input)).toThrow("Invalid");
});

Boundary Values

Copytest("handles edge cases", () => {
  expect(paginate([], 1, 10)).toEqual([]); // empty
  expect(paginate([item], 1, 10)).toEqual([item]); // single
  expect(paginate(items25, 3, 10)).toHaveLength(5); // partial last page
});

Security Tests

Copytest("prevents SQL injection", async () => {
  const malicious = "'; DROP TABLE users; --";
  await expect(search(malicious)).resolves.not.toThrow();
});

test("sanitizes XSS", () => {
  const xss = '<script>alert("xss")</script>';
  expect(sanitize(xss)).not.toContain("<script>");
});

test("requires auth", async () => {
  await request(app).post("/api/items").expect(401);
});

Performance Tests

Copytest("handles large datasets efficiently", () => {
  const largeList = Array.from({ length: 10000 }, (_, i) => ({ value: i }));
  const start = performance.now();
  process(largeList);
  expect(performance.now() - start).toBeLessThan(100);
});

Coverage Targets

Test Quality Principles

1. One behavior per test
2. Descriptive names - test names explain scenario
3. Independent tests - no shared state
4. Cover edge cases - null, empty, boundaries, errors
5. Mock external deps - tests should be fast
6. Test behavior - not implementation details

Workflow Decision Tree

See Also

• Code Review Standards - Quality requirements
• Project CLAUDE.md - Testing rules