Skill · Testing
Bats testing patterns
Master Bash Automated Testing System (Bats) for comprehensive shell script testing. Use when writing tests for shell scripts, CI/CD pipelines, or requiring test-driven development of shell utilities.
How to use it
- Start your plan and connect your AI once
- Ask for the task in your own words, or say it directly:
Use the Bats testing patterns skill to help me with this.Without a connection: copy the SKILL.md below into your AI's project instructions.
SKILL.md2 files in this skill
Bats Testing Patterns
Comprehensive guidance for writing comprehensive unit tests for shell scripts using Bats (Bash Automated Testing System), including test patterns, fixtures, and best practices for production-grade shell testing.
Use this skill when
- Writing unit tests for shell scripts
- Implementing TDD for scripts
- Setting up automated testing in CI/CD pipelines
- Testing edge cases and error conditions
- Validating behavior across shell environments
Do not use this skill when
- The project does not use shell scripts
- You need integration tests beyond shell behavior
- The goal is only linting or formatting
Instructions
- Confirm shell dialects and supported environments.
- Set up a test structure with helpers and fixtures.
- Write tests for exit codes, output, and side effects.
- Add setup/teardown and run tests in CI.
- If detailed examples are required, open
resources/implementation-playbook.md.
Resources
resources/implementation-playbook.mdfor detailed patterns and examples.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.