Macos Test Triage

Test Triage

Quick Start

Use this skill to run the smallest meaningful test scope first, classify failures precisely, and avoid treating every test failure like a product bug.

Workflow

1. Detect the test harness.

   • Use xcodebuild test for Xcode-based projects.
   • Use swift test for SwiftPM packages.

2. Narrow the scope.

   • If the user gave a target, product, or test filter, use it.
   • If not, prefer the smallest likely failing target before a full suite.

3. Classify the result.

   • Build failure
   • Assertion failure
   • Crash or signal
   • Async timing or flake
   • Environment or fixture setup issue
   • Missing entitlement or host app issue

4. Rerun intelligently.

   • Use focused reruns when a specific case fails.
   • Avoid burning time on full-suite reruns without new information.

5. Summarize clearly.

   • What command ran
   • Which tests failed
   • What kind of failure it was
   • The best next proof step or fix path

Guardrails

• Distinguish compilation failures from test execution failures.
• Call out when a test appears to assume iOS-only or simulator-only behavior.
• Mark likely flakes as such instead of overstating confidence.

Output Expectations

Provide:

• the command used
• the smallest failing scope
• the top failure category
• a concise explanation of the likely cause
• the next rerun or fix step