TWD project setup guide — helps AI agents install and configure TWD (Test While Developing), an in-browser validation system, in a new or existing project. Use when setting up TWD, configuring Vite, or troubleshooting TWD initialization.
Scanned 5/31/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install diegosouzapw/awesome-omni-skill---
name: twd-setup
description: TWD project setup guide — helps AI agents install and configure TWD (Test While Developing), an in-browser validation system, in a new or existing project. Use when setting up TWD, configuring Vite, or troubleshooting TWD initialization.
---
# TWD Project Setup Guide
You are helping set up **TWD (Test While Developing)**, an in-browser validation system for SPAs. Follow these steps carefully.
**Supported frameworks:** React, Vue, Angular, Solid.js, Astro (with React), React Router (Framework Mode)
**Not compatible with:** Next.js App Router, SSR-first architectures
## Security Context
- **Package provenance**: `twd-js` and `twd-relay` are published on npm by maintainer `brikev`. Source code: [BRIKEV/twd](https://github.com/BRIKEV/twd) and [BRIKEV/twd-relay](https://github.com/BRIKEV/twd-relay). License: MIT.
- **Dev-only scope**: All TWD code is guarded by `import.meta.env.DEV` and is tree-shaken out of production builds. TWD never runs in production.
- **Network scope (twd-relay)**: twd-relay operates exclusively on `localhost` via a WebSocket on the local Vite dev server. It makes no external network connections.
> **Note:** This skill provides user-directed setup guidance. The code blocks below are instructions for the developer to follow — they are not autonomously executed commands. This skill has no tool access and cannot run commands on its own.
## Step 1: Install TWD
```bash
npm install twd-js
```
## Step 2: Initialize Mock Service Worker
Required for API mocking. Run this in the project root:
```bash
npx twd-js init public
```
This copies `mock-sw.js` to the `public/` directory. If the public directory has a different name (e.g., `static/`), use that path instead.
## Step 3: Configure Entry Point
TWD should only load in development mode. Choose the setup based on the framework:
### Bundled Setup (Recommended — all frameworks)
```typescript
// src/main.ts (or main.tsx)
if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
const { initTWD } = await import('twd-js/bundled');
const tests = import.meta.glob("./**/*.twd.test.ts");
initTWD(tests, {
open: true,
position: 'left',
serviceWorker: true,
serviceWorkerUrl: '/mock-sw.js',
});
}
```
**initTWD options:**
- `open` (boolean) — sidebar open by default. Default: `true`
- `position` (`"left"` | `"right"`) — sidebar position. Default: `"left"`
- `serviceWorker` (boolean) — enable API mocking. Default: `true`
- `serviceWorkerUrl` (string) — service worker path. Default: `'/mock-sw.js'`
- `theme` (object) — custom theme. See TWD theming docs.
### Standard Setup (React only — more control)
```tsx
// src/main.tsx
import { createRoot } from 'react-dom/client';
if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
const testModules = import.meta.glob("./**/*.twd.test.ts");
const { initTests, twd, TWDSidebar } = await import('twd-js');
initTests(testModules, <TWDSidebar open={true} position="left" />, createRoot);
twd.initRequestMocking().catch(console.error);
}
```
### Framework-Specific Notes
**Vue:**
```typescript
// src/main.ts
import { createApp } from 'vue';
import App from './App.vue';
if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
const { initTWD } = await import('twd-js/bundled');
const tests = import.meta.glob("./**/*.twd.test.ts");
initTWD(tests, { open: true, position: 'left' });
}
createApp(App).mount('#app');
```
**Angular:**
```typescript
// src/main.ts
import { isDevMode } from '@angular/core';
if (isDevMode()) {
const { initTWD } = await import('twd-js/bundled');
// Angular may not support import.meta.glob — define tests manually:
const tests = {
'./twd-tests/feature.twd.test.ts': () => import('./twd-tests/feature.twd.test'),
};
initTWD(tests, { open: true, position: 'left' });
}
```
**Solid.js:**
```tsx
// src/main.tsx
if (import.meta.env.DEV) {
const { initTWD } = await import('twd-js/bundled');
const tests = import.meta.glob("./**/*.twd.test.ts");
initTWD(tests, { open: true, position: 'left' });
}
```
## Step 4: Add Vite HMR Plugin (Recommended)
Prevents test entries from duplicating during hot module replacement:
```typescript
// vite.config.ts
import { twdHmr } from 'twd-js/vite-plugin';
export default defineConfig({
plugins: [
// ... other plugins
twdHmr(),
],
});
```
## Step 5: Write a First Test
Create a `src/twd-tests/` folder for all TWD tests. For larger projects, organize by domain (e.g., `src/twd-tests/auth/`, `src/twd-tests/dashboard/`).
```typescript
// src/twd-tests/app.twd.test.ts
import { twd, screenDom } from "twd-js";
import { describe, it } from "twd-js/runner";
describe("App", () => {
it("should render the main heading", async () => {
await twd.visit("/");
const heading = screenDom.getByRole("heading", { level: 1 });
twd.should(heading, "be.visible");
});
});
```
**Folder structure example:**
```
src/twd-tests/
app.twd.test.ts # General app tests
auth/
login.twd.test.ts # Auth-related tests
register.twd.test.ts
dashboard/
overview.twd.test.ts # Dashboard domain tests
mocks/
users.ts # Shared mock data
```
## Step 6: Run the App
```bash
npm run dev
```
The TWD sidebar should appear in the browser. Click it to view and run tests.
## Optional: AI Remote Testing (twd-relay)
twd-relay enables AI agents to trigger in-browser test runs from the CLI. It is **optional** and only needed for AI-assisted workflows.
- **Localhost only**: twd-relay communicates via WebSocket on the local Vite dev server (`localhost`). It makes no external network connections.
- **Dev dependency**: Installed with `--save-dev` and guarded by `import.meta.env.DEV` — never included in production builds.
```bash
npm install --save-dev twd-relay
```
**Vite plugin setup (recommended):**
```typescript
// vite.config.ts
import { twdRemote } from 'twd-relay/vite';
import type { PluginOption } from 'vite';
export default defineConfig({
plugins: [
// ... other plugins
twdRemote() as PluginOption,
],
});
```
**Connect browser client:**
```typescript
// Add inside your import.meta.env.DEV block, after initTWD:
import { createBrowserClient } from 'twd-relay/browser';
const client = createBrowserClient();
client.connect();
```
**Run tests from CLI:**
```bash
npx twd-relay run
```
## Step 7: Generate AI Coding Tool Configuration
After setup, generate a project instructions file so AI tools automatically write TWD tests when implementing features. This is critical for long-term adoption — without it, each new conversation starts without TWD context.
### Claude Code (`CLAUDE.md`)
Create a `CLAUDE.md` in the project root with TWD workflow instructions. Adapt the content based on the project's framework, structure, and existing configuration.
The file should include:
1. **Project overview** — framework, key dependencies, project description
2. **Commands** — how to run dev server, build, etc.
3. **Architecture** — routing, API layer, styling, key directories
4. **TWD testing section** covering:
- Test file location and naming convention (`src/twd-tests/*.twd.test.ts`)
- Key TWD imports:
```typescript
import { twd, userEvent, screenDom, expect } from "twd-js";
import { describe, it, beforeEach } from "twd-js/runner";
```
- Test patterns: `twd.visit()`, `twd.mockRequest()`, `screenDom.*`, `userEvent.*`
- Mock data location (`src/twd-tests/mocks/`)
5. **Development workflow rule** — instruct the AI to always write TWD tests when implementing new features
Example workflow section:
```markdown
## Development Workflow
When implementing a new feature:
1. Write the feature code (components, API layer, routes, navigation)
2. Write TWD tests in `src/twd-tests/` following existing test patterns
3. Add mock data in `src/twd-tests/mocks/` for API responses
4. Run and validate TWD tests pass before considering the task complete
TWD tests run in the browser during development — no separate test command needed.
```
### Other AI Coding Tools
The same workflow instructions can be adapted for other tools. The content is nearly identical — only the filename changes:
| Tool | File |
|------|------|
| Claude Code | `CLAUDE.md` |
| Cursor | `.cursorrules` |
| GitHub Copilot | `.github/copilot-instructions.md` |
| Windsurf | `.windsurfrules` |
| Cline | `.clinerules` |
When the developer specifies which tool they use, generate the appropriate file. If not specified, default to `CLAUDE.md`.
## Troubleshooting
### Tests Not Loading
- Verify `import.meta.env.DEV` is true (dev mode)
- Check file naming: must be `*.twd.test.ts` or `*.twd.test.tsx`
- Ensure the `initTWD`/`initTests` call is in the main entry file
- Check the glob pattern matches your test file locations
### Mock Service Worker Issues
- Run `npx twd-js init public` to install the service worker
- With standard setup: ensure `twd.initRequestMocking()` is called
- Check browser console for service worker registration errors
### Test Duplication on HMR
- Add `twdHmr()` plugin to Vite config
### Sidebar Not Appearing
- Confirm you're in development mode
- Check browser console for initialization errors
- Ensure the entry point code runs before the app renders
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