Testing Golden Artifacts

Use this skill when a test should lock down a produced artifact: generated code, serialized JSON, command output, reports, migration files, rendered documents, or other outputs where a reviewer needs to see the exact shape. A good golden test answers one question: did the intended contract change, or did the implementation drift?

Operating Rule

A golden artifact is a reviewed contract, not a cache. The test may help produce an updated candidate, but replacing the expected artifact must be an explicit approval step with a readable diff and a named reason.

Fit Check

Use golden artifacts when at least one of these is true: