detecting-test-theater

Test theater patterns are eight specific heuristics used to identify low-value or misleading tests that pass without verifying real behavior. Scanning a repository with these patterns surfaces hollow tests, reducing quality risk.

To scan for misleading tests, load the pattern library from references/pattern-library.md and analyze test files while excluding non-test utilities. This generates a prioritized findings report with file paths, line references, and severity ratings.

Finding tests that pass without verifying behavior requires applying the eight test theater heuristics to your test suite. This process identifies hollow tests and outputs a prioritized findings report with remediation guidance.

The test quality scan operates on a single repository or workspace. It loads the shared pattern library to ensure consistent detection and guidance across the analyzed test suite files.

The findings report includes file paths, line references, severity ratings, explanations of detected test theater patterns, and remediation suggestions. It is prioritized to help teams systematically raise test quality.

To exclude non-test utility files when scanning for low-value tests, the detection logic filters out non-test utilities during file scanning. This ensures the eight test theater heuristics apply only to actual test suite files.