Implementing Features with TDD

When to Use

• Implementing new features
• Fixing bugs with behavioral changes
• Adding functionality affecting application logic

Don't use for: Pure refactoring, documentation, configuration, or exploration.

Project Context

Testing Stack

• Framework: Busted
• Tests: spec/**/*_spec.lua
• Implementation: lua/github-actions/**/*.lua

Quality Commands (ALL REQUIRED)

make test     # 100% pass required
make lint     # 0 warnings/errors required
make check    # Formatting check
make format   # Apply stylua

Navigation Tools

• get_symbols_overview - File structure
• find_symbol - Find functions/classes
• find_referencing_symbols - Find usage
• search_for_pattern - Search patterns

TDD Workflow

1. Clarify Requirements (MANDATORY)

If anything is unclear, use AskUserQuestion immediately.

Example:

AskUserQuestion({
  questions: [{
    question: "Which icon should be used?",
    header: "Icon",
    multiSelect: false,
    options: [
      {label: "Error icon", description: "🔴 GitHubActionsVersionError"},
      {label: "Warning icon", description: "⚠️ GitHubActionsVersionOutdated"}
    ]
  }]
})

Common clarifications: display format, error handling, edge cases, performance.

2. RED Phase - Write Failing Tests

Add tests to spec/**/*_spec.lua:

describe('module.new_feature', function()
  local test_cases = {
    {name = 'should handle normal case', input = 'value', expected = 'result'},
    {name = 'should handle edge case', input = 'edge', expected = 'edge_result'},
    {name = 'should handle nil input', input = nil, expected = 'error'},
  }

  for _, tc in ipairs(test_cases) do
    it(tc.name, function()
      assert.are.equal(tc.expected, module.new_feature(tc.input))
    end)
  end
end)

Verify: make test must show errors.

3. GREEN Phase - Minimal Implementation

Add minimum code to pass tests in lua/github-actions/**/*.lua:

---Brief description
---@param input string|nil Input parameter
---@return string result Result value
function M.new_feature(input)
  if not input then
    return 'error'
  end

  if input == 'edge' then
    return 'edge_result'
  end

  return 'result'
end

Verify: make test must pass 100%.

4. REFACTOR Phase - Improve Quality

After tests are green, refactor for clarity:

function M.new_feature(input)
  if not input then
    return handle_error_case()
  end
  return process_input(input)
end

local function handle_error_case()
  return 'error'
end

local function process_input(input)
  if is_edge_case(input) then
    return 'edge_result'
  end
  return 'result'
end

Verify: make test still passes.

5. Quality Gates (ALL REQUIRED)

make check   # ✅ Must pass
make lint    # ✅ 0 warnings/errors
make test    # ✅ 100% success

Project-Specific Patterns

Test File Structure

dofile('spec/minimal_init.lua')

describe('module_name', function()
  local module = require('github-actions.module_name')

  describe('feature_name', function()
    local test_cases = { ... }
    for _, tc in ipairs(test_cases) do
      it(tc.name, function()
        -- Test implementation
      end)
    end
  end)
end)

Error Display Pattern

-- Set error in version_info
version_info.error = 'error message'
version_info.is_latest = false

-- Display shows: [🔴] error message
-- Uses: GitHubActionsVersionError highlight

Version Comparison Pattern

local status = semver.get_version_status(current, latest)
-- Returns: "newer" | "latest" | "outdated" | "invalid"

if status == 'newer' then
  -- Treat as error
elseif status == 'latest' then
  -- Mark as up-to-date
else
  -- Handle outdated/invalid
end

Complete Example

See TDD Implementation Examples for the full "newer than latest" feature implementation showing all phases.

Commit Format

✨ feat: brief description

Detailed explanation of change and why.

Changes:
- Change 1
- Change 2

Why this matters:
Value explanation.

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

Emoji prefixes: ✨ feat, 🐛 fix, ♻️ refactor, ✅ test

Quality Checklist

• Requirements clarified (AskUserQuestion if needed)
• Tests written first (RED)
• Tests pass (GREEN)
• Code refactored (REFACTOR)
• make check/lint/test all pass
• Related code updated
• Display/UI verified

Key Principles

1. No test, no code - Tests always first
2. Clarify first - Never assume requirements
3. Minimum implementation - Only enough to pass
4. Refactor when green - Improve only after passing
5. All checks pass - Mandatory quality gates

Remember: Strict TDD required. Ask when uncertain. Never assume.