Testing

At Level 1, you're beginning to learn that testing is a key part of building reliable software. You may not write tests yet, or you rely heavily on others to tell you what kind of test is needed. Your primary focus is still on getting the feature or fix to work, but you're starting to understand the role of tests in making sure it stays working. This level is about awareness and exposure—seeing how and where testing fits into the workflow.

Key Behaviors

  • Manually tests code by clicking through the UI or checking console output
  • Runs the test suite but may not understand the failures
  • Relies on teammates to write or suggest tests
  • Starts to understand the difference between types of tests (unit, integration, etc.)
  • May copy existing tests with minor modifications

Common Struggles

  • Doesn't write tests unless explicitly asked
  • Doesn't know how to start writing a test from scratch
  • Unsure how to validate correctness beyond basic functionality
  • May not run the test suite regularly or interpret results accurately

Success Indicators

You know you're successful when you:

  • Know how to run the tests and check that your code doesn't break them
  • Are aware of the team's expectations around testing
  • Ask for help when you're unsure how to test something
  • Manually validate your own work before pushing changes

Mindset Shift

From:

"Testing is extra work."

To:

"Testing is how I make sure my code keeps working."

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • What's the most important thing that could break here?
  • Is this tested elsewhere? Do I need to add something?
  • What would give me confidence this is working tomorrow?

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Run the test suite before and after changes
  • 2
    Start reading and understanding tests for features you work on
  • 3
    Try modifying existing tests to see how they work
  • 4
    Ask teammates to walk you through a test or test strategy

Seek Feedback

  • "What kind of test would you write for this?"
  • "Is there a simple way I could validate this with a test?"
  • "How do I know if this change needs a test?"

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • You run tests regularly and understand the results
  • You begin to write simple tests with guidance
  • You ask about test coverage or test plans

Focus Summary

  • Catch your own bugs
  • Ask about coverage
  • Testing is part of how you earn trust

At Level 1, you're building the habits and curiosity that testing requires. You don't have to write tests perfectly yet—just begin seeing where they fit.