Code Forge — Verify

Evidence-based completion verification. Run before claiming any work is done.

When to Use

• About to say "tests pass", "build succeeds", "bug is fixed", or "feature is complete"
• Before committing, creating a PR, or marking a task as done
• After any code change that should be verified
• When reviewing sub-agent output before trusting it

Note: code-forge:impl runs verification automatically. This skill is for general use.

Iron Law

NO COMPLETION CLAIMS WITHOUT FRESH VERIFICATION EVIDENCE.

No exceptions. Not "it should work." Not "I just ran it." Not "the agent said it passed."

The Gate

Every completion claim must pass through this gate — because false claims waste reviewer time and erode trust in automated workflows. A single unverified "tests pass" can mask a regression that reaches production.

IDENTIFY → RUN → READ → VERIFY → CLAIM

1. IDENTIFY the verification command (test, build, lint, type-check)
2. RUN the command fresh (not from memory, not from a previous run)
3. READ the complete output (not skimmed, not truncated)
4. VERIFY the output matches the claim (zero failures, exit code 0)
5. ONLY THEN make the claim

Example:

• Before: "I fixed the off-by-one error, tests should pass now."
• Run: npm test → Output: 42 passed, 0 failed
• After: "Off-by-one fix verified — 42 tests pass (0 failures, exit 0)."

Forbidden Words

These words in a completion claim are red flags — they mean you haven't verified:

• "should work" / "should pass"
• "probably" / "likely"
• "seems to" / "appears to"
• "I believe" / "I think"
• "based on the changes"
• "it worked before"

Replace with evidence: "All 34 tests pass (output: 34 passed, 0 failed, exit code 0)."

If no automated verification exists, state that explicitly: "No automated test covers this — manual verification required: [steps]." This is honest, not hedging.

Verification Patterns

Tests

Run command → See "X passed, 0 failed" → Claim "all tests pass"

NOT: "Tests should pass now" or "I fixed the issue so tests will pass."

Regression Test

Write test → Run (PASS) → Revert fix → Run (MUST FAIL) → Restore fix → Run (PASS)

The revert-and-fail step proves the test actually catches the bug.

Build

Run build → See exit code 0, no errors → Claim "build passes"

Requirements Checklist

For each requirement:
  [ ] Identified verification method
  [ ] Ran verification
  [ ] Evidence recorded

NOT: "Tests pass, so the feature is complete."

Sub-Agent Output

Agent claims success → Check VCS diff → Run tests yourself → Verify changes

NEVER trust agent reports without independent verification.

Common Mistakes

• Trusting memory of a previous test run instead of running fresh
• Reading only the last line of output, missing errors above
• Claiming "build passes" after only running tests (or vice versa)
• Verifying one aspect but claiming completeness for all aspects
• Skipping verification "just this once" because it's a small change