Self Check

Self-Check Skill

Purpose

To validate work after implementation but before handoff. This is the "Check" in PDCA. It prevents the "It works on my machine" (or "It works in my context window") syndrome.

ROI Metric: Catching a syntax error here costs 50 tokens. Catching it in a PR review costs 5,000 tokens + human time.

When to Use

• Trigger: Immediately after execution mode finishes writing code.
• Trigger: Before the backend agent hands off to frontend.
• Trigger: Before any git commit.

The "Proof of Work" Protocol

1. The Build Check (Syntax)

Rule: Code that doesn't build doesn't exist.

• Did you run the build/transpile command? (npm run build, go build, etc.)
• Evidence: Paste the exit code and the last 3 lines of output.

2. The Logic Check (Behavior)

Rule: Claims require proof.

• Forbidden Phrase: "I ran the tests and they passed." (This is often a hallucination).
• Required Action: Run the test command via run_command and capture the actual output.
• Evidence: Paste the Total: X Passed, 0 Failed line.

3. The Contract Check (Requirements)

Rule: Did you solve the user's problem?

• Map every constraint from the original prompt to a specific line of code or test case.

4. The Hygiene Check (Cleanup)

Rule: Leave no trace.

• Scan for: console.log("here"), debugger, commented out code blocks, or TODO comments added by you.
• Action: Remove them.

Execution Template

Copy this into the context window to validate your work.

## ✅ Self-Check Validation

### 1. Build Verification
- **Command**: `npm run build`
- **Output**:
  ```text
  > build
  > tsc
  ✨ Done in 2.45s.

• Status: [ PASS / FAIL ]

2. Test Verification

• Command: npm test -- user.service.test.ts

• Output:

  PASS src/services/user.service.test.ts
  Tests: 3 passed, 3 total
  

• Status: [ PASS / FAIL ] -> If FAIL, trigger reflexion skill.

3. Requirements Mapping

4. Code Hygiene

• Removed debug console.logs?
• Removed temporary comments?
• Ran Linter? (npm run lint)

🏁 Final Verdict: [ READY TO SHIP / NEEDS FIXING ]

Red Flags (Hallucination Detection)

If you see these patterns in your own reasoning, STOP:

Integration with Agents

• execution mode: Must run self-check before declaring Status: COMPLETE.
• pm-agent: Rejects any task update that does not include a self-check artifact.
• reflexion skill: If self-check results in FAIL, the agent must immediately enter reflexion mode to analyze the root cause before retrying.