MSTest

Trigger On

• the repo uses MSTest
• you need to add, run, debug, or repair MSTest tests
• the repo is moving between VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform

Value

• produce a concrete project delta: code, docs, config, tests, CI, or review artifact
• reduce ambiguity through explicit planning, verification, and final validation skills
• leave reusable project context so future tasks are faster and safer

Do Not Use For

• xUnit projects
• TUnit projects
• generic test strategy with no MSTest-specific mechanics

Inputs

• the nearest

  AGENTS.md

• the test project file and package references
• the active MSTest runner model

Quick Start

1. Read the nearest

   AGENTS.md

   and confirm scope and constraints.
2. Run this skill's

   Workflow

   through the

   Ralph Loop

   until outcomes are acceptable.
3. Return the

   Required Result Format

   with concrete artifacts and verification evidence.

Workflow

1. Detect the MSTest project style first:

   • MSTest.Sdk

     project SDK

   • MSTest

     meta-package
   • legacy package set with explicit

     Microsoft.NET.Test.Sdk

2. Read the repo's real

   test

   command from

   AGENTS.md

   . If the repo has no explicit command yet, start with

   dotnet test PROJECT_OR_SOLUTION

   .
3. Keep the runner model consistent:

   • MSTest.Sdk

     defaults to the MSTest runner on Microsoft.Testing.Platform
   • VSTest is opt-in with

     UseVSTest=true

     or legacy package choices
   • do not pass VSTest-only switches or assume legacy

     .runsettings

     behavior on Microsoft.Testing.Platform jobs
4. Prefer

   [DataRow]

   or

   DynamicData

   for stable data-driven coverage. Keep test lifecycle hooks minimal and deterministic.
5. Keep MSTest analyzers enabled and fix findings instead of muting them casually.
6. Align coverage/reporting packages with the active runner.

Bootstrap When Missing

If MSTest is requested but not configured:

1. Detect current framework first:

   • rg -n "MSTest\\.Sdk|PackageReference Include=\"MSTest\"|xunit|TUnit|UseVSTest|TestingPlatformDotnetTestSupport" -g '*.csproj' .

2. If the repo currently uses

   xUnit

   or

   TUnit

   , do not auto-migrate. Return

   status: not_applicable

   unless migration is explicitly requested.
3. For explicit MSTest adoption, add package(s) to target test project:

   • dotnet add TEST_PROJECT.csproj package MSTest

4. Document runner model (

   MSTest.Sdk

   default MTP vs

   UseVSTest

   ) in

   AGENTS.md

   .
5. Run

   dotnet test TEST_PROJECT.csproj

   and return

   status: configured

   or

   status: improved

   .

Deliver

• MSTest tests that match the repo's runner model
• commands that work in local and CI runs
• explicit guidance for VSTest versus Microsoft.Testing.Platform usage

Validate

• the runner model is documented and consistent
• test commands match that runner
• data-driven tests stay deterministic
• analyzer, coverage, and reporting packages align with the chosen runner

Ralph Loop

Use the Ralph Loop for every task, including docs, architecture, testing, and tooling work.

1. Plan first (mandatory):
   • analyze current state
   • define target outcome, constraints, and risks
   • write a detailed execution plan
   • list final validation skills to run at the end, with order and reason
2. Execute one planned step and produce a concrete delta.
3. Review the result and capture findings with actionable next fixes.
4. Apply fixes in small batches and rerun the relevant checks or review steps.
5. Update the plan after each iteration.
6. Repeat until outcomes are acceptable or only explicit exceptions remain.
7. If a dependency is missing, bootstrap it or return

   status: not_applicable

   with explicit reason and fallback path.

Required Result Format

• status

  :

  complete

  |

  clean

  |

  improved

  |

  configured

  |

  not_applicable

  |

  blocked

• plan

  : concise plan and current iteration step

• actions_taken

  : concrete changes made

• validation_skills

  : final skills run, or skipped with reasons

• verification

  : commands, checks, or review evidence summary

• remaining

  : top unresolved items or

  none

For setup-only requests with no execution, return

status: configured

and exact next commands.

Load References

• references/mstest.md

• references/patterns.md

• references/anti-patterns.md

Example Requests

• "Fix our MSTest runner setup."
• "Add an MSTest regression test."
• "Move this MSTest project to Microsoft.Testing.Platform safely."