id: test-case-generation
framework_id: 4d-framework
version: 1.0.0
contributor: Dakan & Feller
title: Test Case Generation
domain: coding
dimensions:
  delegation:
    description: Should this task be automated, augmented, or agentic?
    example: AI generates test cases, developer reviews and integrates.
    antipattern: AI-generated tests merged without human review.
  description:
    description: What context/framing makes the AI most useful here?
    example: Provide function signatures and edge case requirements.
    antipattern: No context, leading to incomplete tests.
  discernment:
    description: How do you evaluate if the AI output is trustworthy?
    example: Run generated tests and check coverage improvements.
    antipattern: Accepting tests without execution.
  diligence:
    description: What human accountability is required after AI involvement?
    example: Developer must validate and maintain test suite.
    antipattern: Relying solely on AI for test maintenance.
score_hints:
  delegation: 0.2
  description: 0.3
  discernment: 0.3
  diligence: 0.2
tags:
  - test-case
  - generation
  - coding

collaboration:
  pattern: linear_with_loops
  description: "Human delegates test scope, provides spec and edge cases, evaluates AI-generated tests, then merges after CI passes — looping back to description if coverage gaps appear."
  sequence:
    - step: 1
      d: delegation
      label: "Define test generation scope"
      example_prompts:
        - speaker: human
          text: "Generate unit tests for this module. Can you also decide which edge cases to include?"
        - speaker: ai
          text: "I can generate tests and propose edge cases, but I'd recommend you confirm the coverage targets — what's the minimum acceptable coverage percentage?"
        - speaker: human
          text: "90% line coverage minimum. Flag anything you're uncertain about."
      triggers_next: "Coverage targets and uncertainty-flagging rule agreed."
    - step: 2
      d: description
      label: "Provide spec, examples, and constraints"
      example_prompts:
        - speaker: human
          text: "Here's the function spec, three existing test examples, and the list of known edge cases from the bug history."
        - speaker: ai
          text: "Should I test for concurrency issues or only sequential inputs?"
        - speaker: human
          text: "Sequential only for now — concurrency tests are a separate workstream."
      triggers_next: "AI has spec, examples, and constraint boundaries."
    - step: 3
      d: discernment
      label: "Review generated tests for correctness"
      example_prompts:
        - speaker: human
          text: "Test #8 asserts the wrong return type — it should be a string, not null."
        - speaker: ai
          text: "Corrected. Also, I flagged test #12 as potentially flaky due to time-dependent assertion — want me to mock the clock?"
        - speaker: human
          text: "Yes, mock the clock for #12."
      triggers_next: "Tests pass review and CI runs green."
      loop_back:
        to: description
        condition: "Coverage is below target or significant edge cases are missing."
        reason: "More spec detail or explicit edge case guidance is needed."
    - step: 4
      d: diligence
      label: "Approve tests and add to codebase"
      example_prompts:
        - speaker: human
          text: "Tests pass CI at 93% coverage. Merging to main."
        - speaker: human
          text: "Added a comment noting which tests were AI-generated for future reference."
      triggers_next: "Tests merged. Cycle restarts for next module."
      can_restart: true
  transitions:
    - from: delegation
      to: description
      trigger: "Coverage targets agreed."
    - from: description
      to: discernment
      trigger: "AI delivers test suite."
    - from: discernment
      to: diligence
      trigger: "Tests validated and CI passes."
    - from: discernment
      to: description
      trigger: "Coverage gaps require more spec detail."
      is_loop_back: true
    - from: diligence
      to: delegation
      trigger: "Next module — restart."
      is_cycle_restart: true