Testing Checklist
Overview
A testing checklist keeps repeatable verification from being forgotten during delivery.
Why It Matters
Checklists reduce missed steps when the team is moving fast.
Core Concepts
- Test the happy path.
- Test the failure path.
- Test the boundary you changed.
Mental Models
Use a checklist when the work is routine enough that omission is the main risk.
Best Practices
- Keep checklists short.
- Put them near the work they support.
- Update them when bugs expose gaps.
Common Mistakes
- Making checklists too long to use.
- Using a checklist instead of understanding the code.
- Leaving old items that no longer apply.
Trade-offs
Checklists add a little overhead, but they reduce repetitive mistakes in common workflows.
Decision Framework
| Before merge | Check |
|---|---|
| Behavior | Does it work in the expected path? |
| Errors | Does it fail gracefully? |
| Regression | Is the original bug covered? |
Examples
- Verify loading, empty, and error states.
- Confirm keyboard access.
- Validate the main flow after a bug fix.
Checklists
- Is the feature tested end to end where needed?
- Are edge cases covered?
- Did I verify the exact bug path?
Senior Engineer Notes
Senior engineers use checklists to protect attention. The goal is to reduce avoidable misses, not to turn judgment into bureaucracy.