Testing

On writing tests that catch real regressions without turning every refactor into a false alarm.

Flowchart splitting a failed test into three causes: real bug, brittle test, or missing contract

Engineering JUN 15, 2026 11 Min Read

Why Your Test Failed: Real Bug, Brittle Test, or Missing Contract

A red test simply indicates a disagreement, not a final decision. It's important to understand whether a failing test points to an actual bug, a temporary hiccup, or reveals a contract that hasn't been written yet.

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