proffesor-for-testing__agentic-qe/docs/reference/skills.md

# Agentic QE Fleet - Skills Reference

This document provides comprehensive reference for all 39 specialized QE skills available to agents.

## Overview

QE skills are specialized knowledge modules that agents can invoke to enhance their capabilities. Skills are organized into phases and categories based on testing domains.

---

## Phase 1: Original Quality Engineering Skills (18 skills)

### Core Testing (3 skills)

#### agentic-quality-engineering
**Using AI agents as force multipliers in quality work**

Covers autonomous testing systems, PACT principles (Proactive, Autonomous, Collaborative, Targeted), and scaling quality engineering with intelligent agents.

**Key Topics:**
- AI-driven test generation
- Autonomous quality validation
- Agent coordination patterns
- Quality multiplier strategies

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("agentic-quality-engineering")
```

---

#### context-driven-testing
**Apply context-driven testing principles**

Practices are chosen based on project context, not universal "best practices". Focuses on adapting testing approaches to specific situations.

**Key Topics:**
- Context analysis
- Heuristic testing
- Risk-based decisions
- Situational awareness

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("context-driven-testing")
```

---

#### holistic-testing-pact
**Holistic Testing Model evolved with PACT principles**

Applies the Holistic Testing Model with Proactive, Autonomous, Collaborative, and Targeted principles for comprehensive quality coverage.

**Key Topics:**
- Quadrant-based testing
- Whole-team quality
- PACT evolution
- Agile testing strategies

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("holistic-testing-pact")
```

---

### Testing Methodologies (4 skills)

#### tdd-london-chicago
**London and Chicago school TDD approaches**

Understanding different TDD philosophies (inside-out vs outside-in) and choosing the right testing style for your context.

**Key Topics:**
- London School (mockist TDD)
- Chicago School (classicist TDD)
- When to use each approach
- Trade-offs and benefits

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("tdd-london-chicago")
```

---

#### xp-practices
**Extreme Programming practices**

Apply XP practices including pair programming, ensemble programming, continuous integration, and sustainable pace.

**Key Topics:**
- Pair/Mob programming
- Continuous integration
- Refactoring discipline
- Test-first development

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("xp-practices")
```

---

#### risk-based-testing
**Focus testing on highest-risk areas**

Use risk assessment and prioritization to allocate testing effort where it matters most.

**Key Topics:**
- Risk identification
- Risk matrix creation
- Prioritization strategies
- Coverage optimization

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("risk-based-testing")
```

---

#### test-automation-strategy
**Comprehensive test automation strategies**

Design and implement effective test automation that balances coverage, maintenance, and execution speed.

**Key Topics:**
- Test pyramid/trophy
- Automation framework selection
- Maintenance strategies
- ROI optimization

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("test-automation-strategy")
```

---

### Testing Techniques (4 skills)

#### api-testing-patterns
**Comprehensive API testing patterns**

Contract testing, REST/GraphQL testing, and integration testing for APIs.

**Key Topics:**
- Contract testing (Pact)
- REST API testing
- GraphQL testing
- Authentication testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("api-testing-patterns")
```

---

#### exploratory-testing-advanced
**Advanced exploratory testing techniques**

Session-Based Test Management (SBTM), RST heuristics, and test tours for structured exploration.

**Key Topics:**
- SBTM sessions
- RST heuristics
- Test tours
- Charter creation

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("exploratory-testing-advanced")
```

---

#### performance-testing
**Performance, scalability, and resilience testing**

Load testing, stress testing, and performance optimization techniques.

**Key Topics:**
- Load testing patterns
- Stress testing
- Performance profiling
- SLA validation

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("performance-testing")
```

---

#### security-testing
**Security vulnerabilities using OWASP principles**

Test for security vulnerabilities using OWASP principles and security testing techniques.

**Key Topics:**
- OWASP Top 10
- SAST/DAST
- Penetration testing
- Security compliance

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("security-testing")
```

---

### Code Quality (3 skills)

#### code-review-quality
**Context-driven code reviews**

Conduct effective code reviews focusing on quality, testability, and maintainability.

**Key Topics:**
- Review checklists
- Testability assessment
- Maintainability metrics
- Constructive feedback

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("code-review-quality")
```

---

#### refactoring-patterns
**Safe refactoring patterns**

Apply safe refactoring patterns to improve code structure without changing behavior.

**Key Topics:**
- Refactoring catalog
- Test coverage first
- Incremental changes
- Design patterns

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("refactoring-patterns")
```

---

#### quality-metrics
**Measure quality effectively**

Actionable metrics and KPIs for measuring and improving software quality.

**Key Topics:**
- Metric selection
- Dashboard design
- Trend analysis
- Leading indicators

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("quality-metrics")
```

---

### Communication (3 skills)

#### bug-reporting-excellence
**High-quality bug reports**

Write bug reports that get fixed quickly with templates, examples, and best practices.

**Key Topics:**
- Bug report structure
- Reproducibility
- Severity assessment
- Clear communication

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("bug-reporting-excellence")
```

---

#### technical-writing
**Clear, concise technical documentation**

Create effective technical documentation that practitioners actually want to read.

**Key Topics:**
- Documentation structure
- Audience awareness
- Code examples
- Maintenance strategies

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("technical-writing")
```

---

#### consultancy-practices
**Software quality consultancy**

Effective consulting practices for quality engineering engagements.

**Key Topics:**
- Client engagement
- Assessment frameworks
- Recommendation strategies
- Change management

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("consultancy-practices")
```

---

## Phase 2: Expanded QE Skills Library (16 skills)

### Testing Methodologies (6 skills)

#### regression-testing
**Strategic regression testing**

Test selection, impact analysis, and continuous regression management.

**Key Topics:**
- Test selection algorithms
- Impact analysis
- Risk-based regression
- Continuous regression

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("regression-testing")
```

---

#### shift-left-testing
**Move testing earlier in development**

TDD, BDD, and design for testability to catch bugs earlier.

**Key Topics:**
- Unit testing discipline
- TDD/BDD practices
- Testability patterns
- Early quality gates

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("shift-left-testing")
```

---

#### shift-right-testing
**Testing in production**

Feature flags, canary deployments, synthetic monitoring, and chaos engineering.

**Key Topics:**
- Feature flags
- Canary deployments
- Synthetic monitoring
- Production testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("shift-right-testing")
```

---

#### test-design-techniques
**Advanced test design**

Equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, and decision tables.

**Key Topics:**
- Test design methods
- Combinatorial testing
- Pairwise testing
- Decision tables

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("test-design-techniques")
```

---

#### mutation-testing
**Test quality validation**

Measure test suite effectiveness through mutation testing.

**Key Topics:**
- Mutation operators
- Kill rate analysis
- Coverage vs quality
- Tool integration

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("mutation-testing")
```

---

#### test-data-management
**Realistic test data generation**

GDPR compliance and data masking strategies.

**Key Topics:**
- Data generation
- GDPR compliance
- Data masking
- Synthetic data

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("test-data-management")
```

---

### Specialized Testing (9 skills)

#### accessibility-testing
**WCAG 2.2 compliance testing**

Screen reader validation and inclusive design verification.

**Key Topics:**
- WCAG 2.2 criteria
- Screen reader testing
- Keyboard navigation
- Color contrast

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("accessibility-testing")
```

---

#### mobile-testing
**Comprehensive mobile testing**

iOS and Android testing including gestures, sensors, and device fragmentation.

**Key Topics:**
- Device fragmentation
- Touch gestures
- Sensor testing
- Platform-specific testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("mobile-testing")
```

---

#### database-testing
**Database schema validation**

Data integrity testing, migration testing, and query performance.

**Key Topics:**
- Schema validation
- Data integrity
- Migration testing
- Performance tuning

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("database-testing")
```

---

#### contract-testing
**Consumer-driven contract testing**

Microservices testing using Pact and API versioning.

**Key Topics:**
- Pact framework
- Contract validation
- Versioning strategies
- Provider verification

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("contract-testing")
```

---

#### chaos-engineering-resilience
**Chaos engineering principles**

Controlled failure injection and resilience testing.

**Key Topics:**
- Fault injection
- Resilience patterns
- Blast radius
- Recovery testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("chaos-engineering-resilience")
```

---

#### compatibility-testing
**Cross-browser, cross-platform testing**

Cross-device compatibility testing ensuring consistent experience.

**Key Topics:**
- Browser testing
- Platform compatibility
- Responsive design
- Progressive enhancement

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("compatibility-testing")
```

---

#### localization-testing
**Internationalization (i18n) and localization (l10n)**

Testing for global products including translations and locale formats.

**Key Topics:**
- i18n testing
- Translation validation
- Locale formats
- RTL languages

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("localization-testing")
```

---

#### compliance-testing
**Regulatory compliance testing**

GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, SOC2, and PCI-DSS validation.

**Key Topics:**
- GDPR compliance
- HIPAA validation
- SOC2 requirements
- PCI-DSS testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("compliance-testing")
```

---

#### visual-testing-advanced
**Advanced visual regression testing**

AI-powered screenshot comparison and UI validation.

**Key Topics:**
- Visual regression
- AI comparison
- Layout validation
- Responsive testing

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("visual-testing-advanced")
```

---

### Testing Infrastructure (2 skills)

#### test-environment-management
**Manage test environments**

Infrastructure as code and environment provisioning.

**Key Topics:**
- IaC patterns
- Environment isolation
- Data management
- Configuration management

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("test-environment-management")
```

---

#### test-reporting-analytics
**Comprehensive test reporting**

Metrics, trends, and actionable insights from test data.

**Key Topics:**
- Report generation
- Trend analysis
- Metrics dashboards
- Actionable insights

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("test-reporting-analytics")
```

---

## Phase 3: Advanced Quality Engineering Skills (4 skills)

### Strategic Testing Methodologies (4 skills)

#### six-thinking-hats
**Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats for comprehensive testing analysis**

Apply Six Thinking Hats methodology to software testing for structured exploration from six perspectives: facts (White), risks (Black), benefits (Yellow), creativity (Green), emotions (Red), and process (Blue).

**Key Topics:**
- Test strategy design
- Test retrospectives
- Failure analysis
- Multi-perspective evaluation

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("six-thinking-hats")
```

**Use Cases:**
- Designing test strategies
- Conducting test retrospectives
- Analyzing test failures
- Evaluating testing approaches
- Facilitating testing discussions

---

#### brutal-honesty-review
**Unvarnished technical criticism for code and test quality**

Brutally honest technical reviews combining Linus Torvalds' precision, Gordon Ramsay's standards, and James Bach's BS-detection. No sugar-coating, just surgical truth about what's broken and why.

**Key Topics:**
- Technical precision
- Quality standards
- BS detection
- Certification skepticism

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("brutal-honesty-review")
```

**Use Cases:**
- Code/test reality checks
- Identifying technical debt
- Challenging questionable practices
- Evaluating certifications/training
- Senior-level technical reviews

---

#### sherlock-review
**Evidence-based investigative code review using deductive reasoning**

Conducts methodical, evidence-based investigation of code, tests, and system behavior using Holmesian deductive reasoning. Investigates what actually happened versus what was claimed, seeing what others miss through systematic observation.

**Key Topics:**
- Evidence collection
- Deductive reasoning
- Claims verification
- Root cause investigation
- Systematic observation

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("sherlock-review")
```

**Use Cases:**
- Verifying implementation claims
- Investigating bugs and fixes
- Validating performance claims
- Conducting root cause analysis
- Evidence-based code review

---

#### cicd-pipeline-qe-orchestrator
**Comprehensive quality orchestration across CI/CD pipeline phases**

Intelligently select QE skills and coordinate specialized agents for holistic quality coverage throughout the software delivery lifecycle. Integrates all 38 AQE skills and 18 agents.

**Key Topics:**
- Pipeline phase analysis
- Skill selection strategies
- Agent orchestration
- Shift-left/shift-right testing
- Quality gates

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("cicd-pipeline-qe-orchestrator")
```

**Use Cases:**
- Designing test strategies for CI/CD
- Planning quality gates per phase
- Implementing shift-left testing
- Implementing shift-right testing
- Holistic pipeline quality coverage
- Microservice pipeline testing
- Monolith pipeline testing
- Mobile app pipeline testing

---

## Phase 4: Community Contributed Skills (1 skill)

### Testability Assessment

#### testability-scoring
**Automated testability assessment using 10 principles of intrinsic testability**

Evaluates software testability through automated analysis of 10 intrinsic principles, providing actionable scores (0-100) with letter grades, AI-powered recommendations, and visual HTML reports with Chart.js radar visualizations.

*Contributed by [@fndlalit](https://github.com/fndlalit)* - Based on [testability-scorer](https://github.com/fndlalit/testability-scorer)

**Key Topics:**
- Observability & Controllability assessment
- Algorithmic simplicity & transparency
- Explainability & similarity analysis
- Stability & unbugginess metrics
- Smallness & decomposability evaluation
- HTML reports with radar charts
- AI-powered improvement recommendations

**The 10 Principles:**
1. **Observability** (15%) - State transparency and monitoring
2. **Controllability** (15%) - State manipulation and test data injection
3. **Algorithmic Simplicity** (10%) - Clear input-output relationships
4. **Algorithmic Transparency** (10%) - Understandable logic flow
5. **Explainability** (10%) - Documentation and clarity
6. **Similarity** (5%) - Standard patterns and familiar architecture
7. **Algorithmic Stability** (10%) - API versioning and compatibility
8. **Unbugginess** (10%) - Low defect rate
9. **Smallness** (10%) - Manageable size and modularity
10. **Decomposability** (5%) - Component isolation

**Usage:**
```javascript
Skill("testability-scoring")
```

**Quick Start:**
```bash
# Run full assessment (10 principles)
.claude/skills/testability-scoring/scripts/run-assessment.sh https://your-app.com chromium

# Generate HTML report from JSON
AUTO_OPEN=false node .claude/skills/testability-scoring/scripts/generate-html-report.js tests/reports/testability-results-*.json
```

**Use Cases:**
- Assessing application testability before test automation
- Identifying testability gaps and improvements
- Generating visual testability reports
- Tracking testability improvements over time
- CI/CD quality gate integration

**Scoring Scale:**
- **A (90-100)**: Excellent testability
- **B (80-89)**: Good testability
- **C (70-79)**: Acceptable testability
- **D (60-69)**: Below average
- **F (0-59)**: Poor testability

---

## Using Skills

### Via CLI

```bash
# List all available skills
aqe skills list

# Search for specific skills
aqe skills search "testing"

# Show skill details
aqe skills show agentic-quality-engineering

# Show skill statistics
aqe skills stats
```

### Via Skill Tool in Claude Code

```javascript
// Execute a skill
Skill("agentic-quality-engineering")
Skill("tdd-london-chicago")
Skill("api-testing-patterns")
```

## Integration with Agents

All QE agents automatically have access to relevant skills based on their specialization:

- **Test generators** use: agentic-quality-engineering, api-testing-patterns, tdd-london-chicago
- **Coverage analyzers** use: agentic-quality-engineering, quality-metrics, risk-based-testing
- **Flaky test hunters** use: agentic-quality-engineering, exploratory-testing-advanced
- **Performance testers** use: agentic-quality-engineering, performance-testing, quality-metrics
- **Security scanners** use: agentic-quality-engineering, security-testing, risk-based-testing

---

**Related Documentation:**
- [Agent Reference](agents.md) - All 18 QE agents
- [Usage Guide](usage.md) - Complete usage examples

**Related Policies:**
- [Release Verification Policy](../policies/release-verification.md)