# Regression Testing

> Strategic regression testing with test selection, impact analysis, and continuous regression management. Use when verifying fixes don't break existing functionality, planning regression suites, or optimizing test execution for faster feedback.

- Skill: `majiayu000/regression-testing` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/regression-testing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/regression-testing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/regression-testing

---


# Regression Testing

<default_to_action>
When verifying changes don't break existing functionality:
1. ANALYZE what changed (git diff, impact analysis)
2. SELECT tests based on change + risk (not everything)
3. RUN in priority order (smoke → selective → full)
4. OPTIMIZE execution (parallel, sharding)
5. MONITOR suite health (flakiness, execution time)

**Quick Regression Strategy:**
- Per-commit: Smoke + changed code tests (5-10 min)
- Nightly: Extended regression (30-60 min)
- Pre-release: Full regression (2-4 hours)

**Critical Success Factors:**
- Smart selection catches 90% of regressions in 10% of time
- Flaky tests waste more time than they save
- Every production bug becomes a regression test
</default_to_action>

## Quick Reference Card

### When to Use
- After any code change
- Before release
- After dependency updates
- After environment changes

### Regression Types
| Type | When | Scope |
|------|------|-------|
| **Corrective** | No code change | Full suite |
| **Progressive** | New features | Existing + new |
| **Selective** | Specific changes | Changed + dependent |
| **Complete** | Major refactor | Everything |

### Test Selection Strategies
| Strategy | How | Reduction |
|----------|-----|-----------|
| **Change-based** | Git diff analysis | 70-90% |
| **Risk-based** | Priority by impact | 50-70% |
| **Historical** | Frequently failing | 40-60% |
| **Time-budget** | Fixed time window | Variable |

---

## Change-Based Test Selection

```typescript
// Analyze changed files and select impacted tests
function selectTests(changedFiles: string[]): string[] {
  const testsToRun = new Set<string>();

  for (const file of changedFiles) {
    // Direct tests
    testsToRun.add(`${file.replace('.ts', '.test.ts')}`);

    // Dependent tests (via coverage mapping)
    const dependentTests = testCoverage[file] || [];
    dependentTests.forEach(t => testsToRun.add(t));
  }

  return Array.from(testsToRun);
}

// Example: payment.ts changed
// Runs: payment.test.ts, checkout.integration.test.ts, e2e/purchase.test.ts
```

---

## Regression Suite Pyramid

```
         /\
        /  \  Full Regression (weekly)
       /    \  - All tests (2-4 hours)
      /------\
     /        \  Extended Regression (nightly)
    /          \  - Unit + integration + critical E2E (30-60 min)
   /------------\
  /              \  Quick Regression (per commit)
 /________________\  - Changed code + smoke tests (5-10 min)
```

---

## CI/CD Integration

```yaml
# .github/workflows/regression.yml
jobs:
  quick-regression:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    timeout-minutes: 15
    steps:
      - name: Analyze changes
        id: changes
        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v2
        with:
          filters: |
            payment:
              - 'src/payment/**'
            auth:
              - 'src/auth/**'

      - name: Run affected tests
        run: npm run test:affected

      - name: Smoke tests (always)
        run: npm run test:smoke

  nightly-regression:
    if: github.event_name == 'schedule'
    timeout-minutes: 120
    steps:
      - run: npm test -- --coverage
```

---

## Optimization Techniques

```javascript
// 1. Parallel execution
module.exports = {
  maxWorkers: '50%', // Use half CPU cores
  testTimeout: 30000
};

// 2. Sharding across CI workers
// npm test -- --shard=1/4

// 3. Incremental testing (only changed since last run)
// Track last run state, skip passing unchanged tests

// 4. Fast-fail on smoke
// Run critical tests first, abort if they fail
```

---

## Agent-Driven Regression

```typescript
// Smart test selection
await Task("Regression Analysis", {
  pr: 1234,
  strategy: 'change-based-with-risk',
  timeBudget: '15min'
}, "qe-regression-risk-analyzer");

// Returns:
// {
//   mustRun: ['payment.test.ts', 'checkout.integration.test.ts'],
//   shouldRun: ['order.test.ts'],
//   canSkip: ['profile.test.ts', 'search.test.ts'],
//   estimatedTime: '12 min',
//   riskCoverage: 0.94
// }

// Generate regression test from production bug
await Task("Bug Regression Test", {
  bug: { id: 'BUG-567', description: 'Checkout fails > 100 items' },
  preventRecurrence: true
}, "qe-test-generator");
```

---

## Agent Coordination Hints

### Memory Namespace
```
aqe/regression-testing/
├── test-selection/*     - Impact analysis results
├── suite-health/*       - Flakiness, timing trends
├── coverage-maps/*      - Test-to-code mapping
└── bug-regressions/*    - Tests from production bugs
```

### Fleet Coordination
```typescript
const regressionFleet = await FleetManager.coordinate({
  strategy: 'comprehensive-regression',
  agents: [
    'qe-regression-risk-analyzer',  // Analyze changes, select tests
    'qe-test-executor',             // Execute selected tests
    'qe-coverage-analyzer',         // Analyze coverage gaps
    'qe-quality-gate'               // Go/no-go decision
  ],
  topology: 'sequential'
});
```

---

## Related Skills
- [risk-based-testing](../risk-based-testing/) - Risk-based prioritization
- [test-automation-strategy](../test-automation-strategy/) - Automation pyramid
- [continuous-testing-shift-left](../continuous-testing-shift-left/) - CI/CD integration

---

## Remember

**Regression testing is insurance against change.** Every code change is a risk. Smart regression testing mitigates that risk by testing what matters based on what changed.

**Good regression testing is strategic, not exhaustive.** You cannot test everything, every time. Select based on changes, risk, and time budget.

**With Agents:** `qe-regression-risk-analyzer` provides intelligent test selection achieving 90% defect detection in 10% of execution time. Agents generate regression tests from production bugs automatically.