Gate Build - Compilation validation

VerifiedCaution

Runs the build and test commands defined in `.specwright/config.json`. Captures stdout and exit codes, writing an evidence report. Returns PASS only if both commands exit 0; otherwise FAIL. Internal gate invoked by verify to confirm the codebase compiles and tests pass before proceeding.

Sby Skills Guide Bot
TestingIntermediate
706/2/2026
Claude Code
#build#test#gate#ci#verification

Recommended for

Our review

Runs configured build and test commands, captures output, and determines whether the code compiles and tests pass.

Strengths

  • Automated and reproducible build/test verification
  • Captures evidence in a structured report file
  • Handles missing commands and timeouts with appropriate statuses

Limitations

  • Requires prior configuration in config.json
  • Only supports single commands (no complex pipelines)
  • Error output can be lengthy and hard to parse
When to use it

Use this gate after code modifications to ensure the project still builds and tests pass.

When not to use it

Do not use for checks requiring human judgment or validations unrelated to building and testing.

Security analysis

Caution
Quality score85/100

The skill executes build and test commands defined in a config file using Bash, which could be abused if the configuration is compromised. However, it is intended as an internal gate and does not directly prompt for destructive or exfiltration actions.

Findings
  • Runs user-configurable shell commands via Bash; potential code injection if config.json is tampered with.
  • Uses Bash, a powerful tool that can execute arbitrary commands.

Examples

Run build and test verification
Verify the build and tests to ensure the project compiles and all tests pass.
Check build only
Run the build gate to check if the code compiles, but skip the tests.
Check specific test suite
Execute the test command defined in config to confirm the unit tests pass.

name: gate-build description: >- Runs configured build and test commands. Captures output as evidence. Returns PASS if commands exit 0, FAIL otherwise. Internal gate — invoked by verify, not directly by users. allowed-tools:

  • Read
  • Bash
  • Glob
  • Write

Gate: Build

Goal

Confirm the codebase compiles and tests pass. This is the most basic gate — if the code doesn't build or tests don't pass, nothing else matters.

Inputs

  • .specwright/config.json -- commands.build and commands.test
  • .specwright/state/workflow.json -- current work unit for evidence path

Outputs

  • Evidence file at {currentWork.workDir}/evidence/build-report.md
  • Gate status update in workflow.json: PASS, FAIL, or ERROR
  • Console output showing results inline (users see findings, not just badges)

Constraints

Execution (LOW freedom):

  • Read build command from config.json commands.build. Run it. Capture output.
  • Read test command from config.json commands.test. Run it. Capture output.
  • If a command is null/missing, SKIP that check (not FAIL).
  • If both commands are null, gate status is SKIP.
  • Timeout: 5 minutes per command. If exceeded, status is ERROR.

Verdict (LOW freedom):

  • Follow protocols/gate-verdict.md for verdict rendering.
  • Build exit code 0 + test exit code 0 = PASS.
  • Any non-zero exit code = FAIL.
  • Show failing output inline so the user sees what broke.

Evidence (LOW freedom):

  • Follow protocols/evidence.md for file format and storage.
  • Write evidence file with: command run, exit code, stdout/stderr, timestamp.
  • Update workflow.json gates section per protocols/state.md.

Protocol References

  • protocols/gate-verdict.md -- default-FAIL, self-critique, visibility
  • protocols/evidence.md -- evidence storage and freshness
  • protocols/state.md -- gate status updates

Failure Modes

| Condition | Action | |-----------|--------| | Build command not configured | SKIP build check, continue to test check | | Test command not configured | SKIP test check | | Both commands null | Gate status = SKIP | | Command times out (>5min) | Gate status = ERROR with timeout message |

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