Have Autohand Code use backend testing skill patterns to wire fixtures, mocks, database setup, and command scripts before expanding test coverage.
Make services testable before adding coverage
Testing Quality and review Verification Testing
autohand -p "Set up a backend test harness for this service with fixtures, mocks, and a focused command"
A reusable backend test harness with setup helpers, examples, and a passing smoke test.
Set up a backend test harness with Autohand Code is a test-infrastructure workflow that creates reusable backend fixtures, mocks, database setup, service wiring, and commands before feature-specific coverage is added. ### At a glance | Question | Answer | | --- | --- | | Best for | services with weak test setup, hard-to-create data, external dependency calls, or no reliable focused test command | | Primary inputs | Service entry points and dependency graph; Database, queue, cache, and external API dependencies; Current package scripts, CI commands, and test framework | | Autohand Code returns | A reusable backend test harness with setup helpers, examples, and a passing smoke test. | | Avoid when | the repo already has a working harness and only one test case is missing | ### How Autohand Code handles this workflow 1. Finds existing test conventions and setup utilities. 2. Adds reusable fixtures, mocks, or test containers only where needed. 3. Creates one smoke test that proves the harness works. 4. Documents the focused command and what future tests should reuse. ### Best inputs - Service entry points and dependency graph - Database, queue, cache, and external API dependencies - Current package scripts, CI commands, and test framework ### Strong prompt autohand -p "Set up a backend test harness for this service with fixtures, mocks, and a focused command" ### Autohand Code CLI options - Use `/skills use backend-testing` for harness and fixture patterns. - Run `autohand -p "Set up a backend test harness for this service with fixtures, mocks, and a focused command"` with the service path. - Use `--restricted` during the planning pass if setup touches credentials or service endpoints. ### Review before accepting The harness should include reusable setup, a passing smoke test, and clear boundaries for real versus mocked dependencies. ### Source and validation signals Autohand AI maintains this workflow as first-party product guidance for Autohand Code. Use the [Autohand CLI Playbook](https://github.com/autohandai/code-cli/blob/main/docs/AUTOHAND_PLAYBOOK.md), [CLI reference](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/cli-reference.html), and [configuration reference](https://github.com/autohandai/code-cli/blob/main/docs/config-reference.md) when choosing between interactive mode, command mode, auto-mode, feature-enabled /goal, /settings, skills, MCP, and permission settings. The related resources below link to product docs and tutorials for the workflow, and the final answer should name repository-specific files, commands, outputs, or docs that a reviewer can verify. ### Frequently asked questions ### What is Set up a backend test harness with Autohand Code? Set up a backend test harness with Autohand Code is a test-infrastructure workflow that creates reusable backend fixtures, mocks, database setup, service wiring, and commands before feature-specific coverage is added. ### When should a team use Set up a backend test harness? Use it before adding broad backend coverage to a service that is currently hard to test. ### What evidence should reviewers check for Set up a backend test harness? The harness should include reusable setup, a passing smoke test, and clear boundaries for real versus mocked dependencies.
Skill Skilled: Backend Testing Use backend test setup and fixture guidance. https://skilled.autohand.ai/skill/backend-testing Tutorial Build a Testing Agent Use agent patterns for repeated test work. /docs/agent-sdk/tutorials/600-testing-agent.html Guide Troubleshooting Debug setup failures from evidence. /docs/guides/troubleshooting.html