test-design-techniques

Systematic test design with boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision tables, state transition testing, and combinatorial testing. Use when designing comprehensive test cases, reducing redundant tests, or ensuring systematic coverage.

Best use case

test-design-techniques is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.

Systematic test design with boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision tables, state transition testing, and combinatorial testing. Use when designing comprehensive test cases, reducing redundant tests, or ensuring systematic coverage.

Teams using test-design-techniques should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.

When to use this skill

  • You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.

When not to use this skill

  • You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
  • You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.

Installation

Claude Code / Cursor / Codex

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/test-design-techniques/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/proffesor-for-testing/agentic-qe/main/.claude/skills/test-design-techniques/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/test-design-techniques/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How test-design-techniques Compares

Feature / Agenttest-design-techniquesStandard Approach
Platform SupportNot specifiedLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexityUnknownN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Systematic test design with boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, decision tables, state transition testing, and combinatorial testing. Use when designing comprehensive test cases, reducing redundant tests, or ensuring systematic coverage.

Where can I find the source code?

You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.

Related Guides

SKILL.md Source

# Test Design Techniques

<default_to_action>
When designing test cases, select technique by input type:
- Numeric ranges → BVA + EP
- Multiple conditions → Decision Tables
- Workflows → State Transition
- Many parameter combinations → Pairwise Testing
</default_to_action>

## Quick Reference Card

### When to Use
- Designing new test suites
- Optimizing existing tests
- Complex business rules
- Reducing test redundancy

---

## Agent-Driven Test Design

```typescript
// Auto-generate BVA tests
await Task("Generate BVA Tests", {
  field: 'age',
  dataType: 'integer',
  constraints: { min: 18, max: 120 }
}, "qe-test-generator");
// Returns: 6 boundary test cases

// Auto-generate pairwise tests
await Task("Generate Pairwise Tests", {
  parameters: {
    browser: ['Chrome', 'Firefox', 'Safari'],
    os: ['Windows', 'Mac', 'Linux'],
    screen: ['Desktop', 'Tablet', 'Mobile']
  }
}, "qe-test-generator");
// Returns: 9-12 tests (vs 27 full combination)
```

---

## Agent Coordination Hints

### Memory Namespace
```
aqe/test-design/
├── bva-analysis/*       - Boundary value tests
├── partitions/*         - Equivalence partitions
├── decision-tables/*    - Decision table tests
└── pairwise/*           - Combinatorial reduction
```

### Fleet Coordination
```typescript
const designFleet = await FleetManager.coordinate({
  strategy: 'systematic-test-design',
  agents: [
    'qe-test-generator',    // Apply design techniques
    'qe-coverage-analyzer', // Analyze coverage
    'qe-quality-analyzer'   // Assess test quality
  ],
  topology: 'sequential'
});
```

---

## Related Skills
- [agentic-quality-engineering](../agentic-quality-engineering/) - Agent-driven testing
- [risk-based-testing](../risk-based-testing/) - Prioritize by risk
- [mutation-testing](../mutation-testing/) - Validate test effectiveness

---

## Remember

**With Agents:** `qe-test-generator` applies these techniques automatically, generating optimal test suites with maximum coverage and minimum redundancy. Agents identify boundaries, partitions, and combinations from code analysis.

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