zk-data-agent/TESTING_GUIDE.md

Testing Guide

This guide gives concrete commands you can run to verify the current Python implementation feature by feature.

All commands below assume you are inside:

cd /path/to/claw-code-agent

1. Environment Setup

1.1 Start vLLM with Qwen3-Coder

python -m vllm.entrypoints.openai.api_server \
  --model Qwen/Qwen3-Coder-30B-A3B-Instruct \
  --host 127.0.0.1 \
  --port 8000 \
  --enable-auto-tool-choice \
  --tool-call-parser qwen3_xml

Verify the server:

curl http://127.0.0.1:8000/v1/models

Set the runtime environment:

export OPENAI_BASE_URL=http://127.0.0.1:8000/v1
export OPENAI_API_KEY=local-token
export OPENAI_MODEL=Qwen/Qwen3-Coder-30B-A3B-Instruct

1.2 Run the unit test suite

python3 -m unittest discover -s tests -v

2. Installation And Basic Usage

2.1 Editable install

pip install -e .

2.2 Show CLI help

python3 -m src.main --help
python3 -m src.main agent --help
python3 -m src.main agent-bg --help
python3 -m src.main agent-ps --help
python3 -m src.main agent-chat --help
python3 -m src.main agent-resume --help

2.3 Run the packaged entrypoint

claw-code-agent agent "/help"

3. Slash Commands

These are handled locally and do not require the model to answer.

python3 -m src.main agent "/help"
python3 -m src.main agent "/commands"
python3 -m src.main agent "/context" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/context-raw" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/plan" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/prompt" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/permissions" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/hooks" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/policy" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/trust" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/tools" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/memory" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/status" --cwd ..
python3 -m src.main agent "/clear" --cwd ..

4. Context And Prompt Inspection

4.1 System prompt rendering

python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ..

4.2 Context usage accounting

python3 -m src.main agent-context --cwd ..

4.3 Raw context snapshot

python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ..

4.4 Additional working directories

python3 -m src.main agent-context --cwd .. --add-dir /path/to/directory

4.5 Disable CLAUDE.md discovery

python3 -m src.main agent-context --cwd .. --disable-claude-md

4.6 Hook/policy context and trust inspection

Create a local policy file:

mkdir -p ./test_cases
cat > ./test_cases/.claw-policy.json <<'EOF'
{
  "trusted": false,
  "managedSettings": {
    "reviewMode": "strict"
  },
  "safeEnv": ["HOOK_SAFE_TOKEN"],
  "hooks": {
    "beforePrompt": ["Respect workspace policy before acting."],
    "afterTurn": ["Persist the policy decision after each turn."],
    "beforeTool": {
      "read_file": ["Validate the path before reading."]
    }
  }
}
EOF
export HOOK_SAFE_TOKEN=demo-secret

Inspect the runtime view:

python3 -m src.main agent "/hooks" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent "/trust" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent "/permissions" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent "/tools" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ./test_cases

4.7 Safe environment values in shell tools

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Run bash and print HOOK_SAFE_TOKEN, then explain where it came from." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-shell \
  --show-transcript

4.8 Plan runtime context and prompt inspection

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use update_plan to store a two-step plan for inspecting and editing the workspace." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

python3 -m src.main agent "/plan" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent "/tasks" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ./test_cases

5. Core Agent Loop

5.1 Read-only run

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read claw-code-agent/src/agent_runtime.py and summarize how the loop works." \
  --cwd ..

5.2 Show transcript output

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read claw-code-agent/src/agent_session.py and summarize the session model." \
  --cwd .. \
  --show-transcript

5.3 Streaming model responses

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Inspect the current repository and summarize the architecture." \
  --cwd .. \
  --stream \
  --show-transcript

5.4 Interactive chat loop

python3 -m src.main agent-chat --cwd ..

Optional first prompt:

python3 -m src.main agent-chat \
  "Inspect the repository and tell me where the runtime loop lives." \
  --cwd ..

Inside chat mode:

• type normal prompts to continue the same session
• use /exit or /quit to leave

5.5 Resume directly into chat mode

python3 -m src.main agent-chat \
  --resume-session-id <session-id> \
  --cwd ..

6. Tool Execution

6.1 Read files

python3 -m src.main agent \ 
  "Read claw-code-agent/src/agent_tools.py and summarize each tool." \
  --cwd ..

6.2 Write files

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Create TEST_WRITE.md in the current directory with one line: write test ok" \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write

6.3 Edit files

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Create demo.txt with 'hello world', then replace 'world' with 'agent'." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write

6.4 Glob and grep

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Find Python files in the current directory, then search for 'LocalCodingAgent' and summarize the matches." \
  --cwd ..

6.5 Shell commands

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Run pwd and ls in the current working directory, then summarize the result." \
  --cwd .. \
  --allow-shell \
  --show-transcript

6.6 Unsafe shell mode

Use only if you intentionally want destructive-shell permission enabled.

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Explain whether destructive shell commands are currently allowed." \
  --cwd .. \
  --allow-shell \
  --unsafe

6.7 Hook/policy tool blocking

Update the policy to block bash:

cat > ./test_cases/.claw-policy.json <<'EOF'
{
  "trusted": false,
  "denyTools": ["bash"],
  "hooks": {
    "beforePrompt": ["Respect workspace policy before acting."],
    "afterTurn": ["Persist the policy decision after each turn."]
  }
}
EOF

Then test the block:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Try to run bash and then explain what was blocked." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-shell \
  --show-transcript

Look for:

• hook_policy_tool_block
• tool_permission_denial
• plugin_tool_runtime messages that now also include hook/policy guidance when present

6.8 Plan tools

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use update_plan to store these steps: inspect the repository, implement the change, run verification. Mark the first step in_progress and sync the plan to tasks." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

python3 -m src.main agent "/plan" --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent "/tasks" --cwd ./test_cases

7. Session Persistence And Resume

7.1 Create a saved session

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Create a short TODO file in the current directory and explain what you wrote." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write

At the end of the run, note:

session_id=...
session_path=...

7.2 Resume a saved session

python3 -m src.main agent-resume \
  <session-id> \
  "Continue the previous task and improve the file." \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

7.3 Inspect saved sessions

ls -lt .port_sessions/agent

8. Background Sessions

8.1 Launch a background session

Use a local slash-command prompt first so you can verify the background workflow without depending on the model backend:

python3 -m src.main agent-bg "/help" --cwd ./test_cases

This prints:

• background_id=...
• pid=...
• log_path=...
• record_path=...

8.2 List background sessions

python3 -m src.main agent-ps

8.3 Read background logs

python3 -m src.main agent-logs <background-id>
python3 -m src.main agent-logs <background-id> --tail 40

8.4 Attach to the current output snapshot

python3 -m src.main agent-attach <background-id>
python3 -m src.main agent-attach <background-id> --tail 40

8.5 Kill a running background session

python3 -m src.main agent-kill <background-id>

9. Structured Output / JSON Schema

Create a schema file:

cat > /tmp/claw_schema.json <<'EOF'
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "status": { "type": "string" },
    "summary": { "type": "string" }
  },
  "required": ["status", "summary"],
  "additionalProperties": false
}
EOF

Run the agent with schema mode:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Inspect the current repository and respond in the requested JSON format." \
  --cwd .. \
  --response-schema-file /tmp/claw_schema.json \
  --response-schema-name claw_summary \
  --response-schema-strict

10. Budgets And Limits

10.1 Total token budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Give a very long answer about the current repository." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-total-tokens 50

10.2 Input / output token budgets

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read several files and explain them in detail." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-input-tokens 80 \
  --max-output-tokens 80

10.3 Reasoning-token budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Solve a multi-step task and explain the result." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-reasoning-tokens 10

10.4 Tool-call budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read multiple files, search for symbols, and summarize the repo." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-tool-calls 1

10.5 Delegated-task budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Delegate two subtasks to inspect and summarize the repo." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-delegated-tasks 1

10.6 Cost budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Inspect the current repository and summarize it." \
  --cwd .. \
  --input-cost-per-million 0.15 \
  --output-cost-per-million 0.60 \
  --max-budget-usd 0.000001

10.7 Model-call budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Continue inspecting the repository until you are done." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-model-calls 1

10.8 Session-turn budget

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Work through the repository across multiple turns and keep going." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-session-turns 1

10.9 Budget overrides from local policy

cat > ./test_cases/.claw-policy.json <<'EOF'
{
  "budget": {
    "max_model_calls": 0
  }
}
EOF

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Say hello once." \
  --cwd ./test_cases

Expected result: the run stops with a model-call budget exceeded message even though you did not pass --max-model-calls on the CLI.

11. Streaming, Continuation, And Context Reduction

11.1 Streaming assistant output

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Produce a long explanation of the current repository architecture." \
  --cwd .. \
  --stream \
  --show-transcript

11.2 Automatic continuation after truncation

Use a small output budget so the backend is more likely to stop early:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Write a long, structured explanation of the current repository." \
  --cwd .. \
  --max-output-tokens 32 \
  --show-transcript

11.3 Snipping older context

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read claw-code-agent/src/agent_runtime.py, claw-code-agent/src/agent_session.py, claw-code-agent/src/query_engine.py, and claw-code-agent/src/plugin_runtime.py, then summarize all of them in detail." \
  --cwd .. \
  --auto-snip-threshold 120 \
  --compact-preserve-messages 0 \
  --show-transcript

11.4 Compaction boundaries

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read several large files from claw-code-agent/src and keep explaining the repository until the context gets compacted." \
  --cwd .. \
  --auto-compact-threshold 120 \
  --compact-preserve-messages 1 \
  --show-transcript

12. File History Replay

12.1 Create file history

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Create notes.txt with one line, then update that line to mention file history." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --allow-write

12.2 Resume and inspect replay

python3 -m src.main agent-resume \
  <session-id> \
  "Continue the previous work and tell me what files were changed before this turn." \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

Look for file_history_replay messages in the transcript.

13. Nested Delegation

13.1 Basic delegated subtask

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Delegate a subtask to inspect claw-code-agent/src/agent_runtime.py and return the summary." \
  --cwd .. \
  --show-transcript

13.2 Multiple delegated subtasks

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Delegate one subtask to scan the repository and another to summarize it after the scan." \
  --cwd .. \
  --show-transcript

13.3 Resume a delegated child session

1. Seed a normal saved session:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Inspect claw-code-agent/src/agent_tools.py and give a short summary." \
  --cwd ..

2. Copy that session_id, then run:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Delegate a subtask that resumes session <session-id> and continues it." \
  --cwd .. \
  --show-transcript

13.4 Topological dependency batches

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Delegate two subtasks: one named scan, and one named summarize that depends on scan. Use topological batching and then return the final summary." \
  --cwd .. \
  --show-transcript

Look for:

• delegate_batch_result
• delegate_group_result
• batch_index=...

14. Plugin Runtime

Create a local plugin manifest:

mkdir -p ./test_cases/plugins/demo
cat > ./test_cases/plugins/demo/plugin.json <<'EOF'
{
  "name": "demo-plugin",
  "hooks": {
    "beforePrompt": "Inject plugin prompt guidance.",
    "afterTurn": "Attach plugin after-turn guidance.",
    "onResume": "Reapply plugin state on resume.",
    "beforePersist": "Persist plugin state before saving.",
    "beforeDelegate": "Add plugin guidance before delegated children run.",
    "afterDelegate": "Add plugin guidance after delegated children finish."
  },
  "toolAliases": [
    {
      "name": "plugin_read",
      "baseTool": "read_file",
      "description": "Plugin alias for reading files."
    }
  ],
  "virtualTools": [
    {
      "name": "demo_virtual",
      "description": "Return a rendered plugin response.",
      "responseTemplate": "plugin topic: {topic}"
    }
  ],
  "toolHooks": {
    "read_file": {
      "beforeTool": "Validate the path before reading.",
      "afterResult": "Summarize the file before the next action."
    }
  }
}
EOF

14.1 Plugin prompt/context discovery

python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ./test_cases
python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ./test_cases

14.2 Plugin alias tool

echo "hello plugin" > ./test_cases/hello.txt
python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use the plugin_read tool to read hello.txt and summarize it." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --show-transcript

14.3 Plugin virtual tool

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use the demo_virtual tool with topic plugins and return the result." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --show-transcript

14.4 Plugin before/after tool guidance

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read hello.txt and follow the plugin guidance around the read_file tool." \
  --cwd ./test_cases \
  --show-transcript

14.5 Plugin lifecycle with resume/persist

1. Start a session:

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use the plugin system and create a saved session." \
  --cwd ./test_cases

2. Resume it:

python3 -m src.main agent-resume \
  <session-id> \
  "Continue and mention any plugin lifecycle guidance you received." \
  --show-transcript

Look for:

• plugin_before_persist
• Plugin resume hooks:
• Plugin runtime state:

15. MCP Runtime

Create a local MCP manifest:

mkdir -p ./test_cases_mcp
printf 'mcp notes\n' > ./test_cases_mcp/notes.txt
cat > ./test_cases_mcp/.claw-mcp.json <<'EOF'
{
  "servers": [
    {
      "name": "workspace",
      "resources": [
        {
          "uri": "mcp://workspace/notes",
          "name": "Notes",
          "path": "notes.txt",
          "mimeType": "text/plain"
        },
        {
          "uri": "mcp://workspace/inline",
          "name": "Inline",
          "text": "inline body"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
EOF

15.1 MCP context and slash commands

python3 -m src.main agent "/mcp" --cwd ./test_cases_mcp
python3 -m src.main agent "/resources" --cwd ./test_cases_mcp
python3 -m src.main agent "/resource mcp://workspace/notes" --cwd ./test_cases_mcp
python3 -m src.main agent "/mcp (MCP)" --cwd ./test_cases_mcp
python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ./test_cases_mcp
python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ./test_cases_mcp

15.2 MCP tools through the model loop

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "List the available MCP resources, then read mcp://workspace/notes and summarize it." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_mcp \
  --show-transcript

15.3 Read inline MCP resources

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Read the MCP resource mcp://workspace/inline and repeat its content." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_mcp \
  --show-transcript

16. Task Runtime

Create a clean task workspace:

mkdir -p ./test_cases_tasks
rm -rf ./test_cases_tasks/.port_sessions

16.1 Task slash commands

python3 -m src.main agent "/tasks" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent "/todo" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent "/task missing-task-id" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent-context-raw --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent-prompt --cwd ./test_cases_tasks

16.2 Create and update tasks through the model loop

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Create a task called Review runtime tasks, then list the current tasks." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_tasks \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

Then inspect the stored task file:

cat ./test_cases_tasks/.port_sessions/task_runtime.json

16.3 Replace the todo list

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Replace the current todo list with three tasks: inspect runtime, verify tests, and update docs. Mark inspect runtime as done and the others as todo." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_tasks \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

16.4 Read back task state

python3 -m src.main agent "/tasks" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent \
  "List the current tasks and show me the id of each one." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_tasks \
  --show-transcript

16.5 Plan runtime and task sync

python3 -m src.main agent \
  "Use update_plan to create three steps: inspect runtime, verify tests, update docs. Mark inspect runtime completed and sync to tasks." \
  --cwd ./test_cases_tasks \
  --allow-write \
  --show-transcript

python3 -m src.main agent "/plan" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
python3 -m src.main agent "/tasks" --cwd ./test_cases_tasks
cat ./test_cases_tasks/.port_sessions/plan_runtime.json

17. Query Engine And Workspace Commands

17.1 Workspace inventory

python3 -m src.main summary
python3 -m src.main manifest
python3 -m src.main subsystems --limit 20
python3 -m src.main commands --limit 20
python3 -m src.main tools --limit 20

17.2 Query routing and bootstrap reports

python3 -m src.main route "inspect the runtime and tools" --limit 10
python3 -m src.main bootstrap "inspect the runtime and tools" --limit 10
python3 -m src.main turn-loop "inspect the runtime and tools" --limit 5 --max-turns 3

17.3 Session flushing for the mirrored workspace

python3 -m src.main flush-transcript "store a temporary transcript"
python3 -m src.main load-session <session-id>

18. Remote/Direct Mode Simulations

These are mirrored workspace simulation commands, not the real agent runtime:

python3 -m src.main remote-mode demo-target
python3 -m src.main ssh-mode demo-target
python3 -m src.main teleport-mode demo-target
python3 -m src.main direct-connect-mode demo-target
python3 -m src.main deep-link-mode demo-target

19. Parity Tracking Workflow

Use this every time a new feature lands:

python3 -m unittest discover -s tests -v

Then update:

• PARITY_CHECKLIST.md
• TESTING_GUIDE.md

Rule for future work:

• every new implemented feature should add a checked item in PARITY_CHECKLIST.md
• every user-testable feature should add at least one concrete command example in TESTING_GUIDE.md