Verification
Don't claim something works until you've seen the evidence.
Announce: "I'm using the verifying skill to confirm this works."
The Rule
NO COMPLETION CLAIMS WITHOUT FRESH VERIFICATION
Step 0: Load Project Config
Before running commands, get the configured commands from EC:
ec_search:
query: project config
type: config
area: project
Extract: test_command, lint_command, build_command
If no config: Use sensible defaults but warn:
"No project config found. Using default commands. Consider running @init."
Step 1: Check for Known Gotchas
Search EC for verification issues in this area:
ec_search:
query: verification gotcha
type: learning
Apply any known workarounds or warnings.
The Gate
Before claiming any success:
- Identify - What command proves this claim?
- Run - Execute it fresh, completely
- Read - Full output, check exit code
- Verify - Does output confirm the claim?
- Then claim - Only now state the result
Command Reference
Use the project-configured commands:
| Claim | Command | Fallback |
|---|---|---|
| "Tests pass" | {test_command} |
npm test |
| "Build succeeds" | {build_command} |
npm run build |
| "Types check" | {lint_command} |
npx tsc --noEmit |
| "Lints clean" | {lint_command} |
npm run lint |
Examples
| Claim | Requires | Not Sufficient |
|---|---|---|
| "Tests pass" | Test output showing 0 failures | Previous run, "should pass" |
| "Build succeeds" | Build with exit 0 | Linter passing |
| "Bug fixed" | Test for the bug passes | "I changed the code" |
| "Type-safe" | Type-check with no errors | "Looks right" |
Forbidden Phrases
Without fresh evidence, never say:
- "Should work now"
- "That should fix it"
- "Tests probably pass"
- "I'm confident this works"
The Pattern
NO: "Fixed the bug, tests should pass now"
YES: [Run tests]
"Tests pass: 47/47. Bug fix verified."
Store Gotchas
If verification reveals a non-obvious issue:
ec_add:
type: learning
area: verification
content: [What the gotcha was]
rationale: Discovered during verification
Examples worth storing:
- Tests pass locally but CI requires environment variable
- Build succeeds but output differs on ARM vs x86
- Lint passes but pre-commit hook has stricter rules
Why This Matters
- "I don't believe you" = trust broken
- Undefined functions shipped = crashes
- Time wasted on false completion = rework
Evidence first. Claims second.
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