Spec to QA

Generate comprehensive test scenarios from any specification document.

Quick Start

1. Point it at a spec. Run /spec-to-qa path/to/prd.md or paste requirements text directly.
2. Review the output. The skill writes a prioritized QA checklist to tasks/qa-[feature-name].md with happy paths, edge cases, error handling, and accessibility checks in Given/When/Then format.
3. Use the checklist. Run through it manually, convert scenarios to automated tests, or hand it to your QA team. Update later with /spec-to-qa update when the spec changes.

Overview

Takes a PRD, spec, or requirements document and produces a structured QA checklist covering:

• Happy path scenarios
• Edge cases
• Error handling
• Accessibility checks
• Performance considerations
• Security checks (where applicable)

The Job

Input

Any of:

• Path to a PRD/spec markdown file
• Pasted requirements text
• A feature description

Output

A QA checklist saved to tasks/qa-[feature-name].md.

Commands

/spec-to-qa [path-or-text]

Generate QA scenarios from the given spec.

/spec-to-qa update [qa-path] [spec-path]

Update an existing QA checklist when the spec changes. Adds new scenarios, marks removed ones.

Process

Step 1: Parse the Spec

Read the document and identify:

1. Screens/Pages: Each distinct view or page
2. User Actions: What can users do? (click, type, submit, navigate)
3. Data Flows: What data moves where? (input -> API -> database -> display)
4. State Changes: What state transitions exist? (loading, error, success, empty)
5. Roles: Who interacts? (user, admin, anonymous)
6. Integrations: External dependencies (APIs, services, auth)

Step 2: Generate Scenarios Per Screen

For each screen/feature, generate scenarios in 5 categories.

Step 3: Cross-Cutting Concerns

Add scenarios for concerns that span multiple screens.

Step 4: Prioritize

Mark each scenario with priority:

• P0: Must pass before release (happy path, data integrity)
• P1: Should pass (common edge cases, error handling)
• P2: Nice to have (uncommon edge cases, polish)

Output Format

Use the template at templates/qa-template.md as the base structure.

# QA Test Plan: [Feature Name]

**Source Spec**: [path or link]
**Generated**: [date]
**Total Scenarios**: [N]
**Coverage**: [screens/features covered]

---

## Screen: [Screen Name]

### Happy Path (P0)
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario description]
  - Given: [precondition]
  - When: [action]
  - Then: [expected result]

### Edge Cases (P1)
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario description]
  - Given: [precondition]
  - When: [action]
  - Then: [expected result]

### Error Handling (P1)
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario description]
  - Given: [precondition]
  - When: [action]
  - Then: [expected result]

### Accessibility (P1)
- [ ] **[ID]** [Check description]

### Security (P0)
- [ ] **[ID]** [Check description]

---

## Cross-Cutting Concerns

### Performance
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario]

### Data Integrity
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario]

### Browser/Device Compatibility
- [ ] **[ID]** [Scenario]

Scenario Generation Rules

Happy Path

For each user story or functional requirement, create at least one happy path scenario:

• User completes the primary action successfully
• Data is saved/displayed correctly
• Correct feedback is shown (toast, redirect, update)

Edge Cases

Think about boundaries and unusual-but-valid inputs:

Error Handling

For each action that can fail:

• API returns 400 (bad request)
• API returns 401/403 (unauthorized)
• API returns 404 (not found)
• API returns 500 (server error)
• Network timeout
• Validation failure (client-side)
• Concurrent modification conflict

Accessibility

For each screen:

• All interactive elements reachable via keyboard (Tab, Enter, Escape)
• Screen reader announces content correctly
• Color is not the only means of conveying information
• Focus management on modal open/close
• Error messages associated with form fields
• Sufficient color contrast (WCAG AA: 4.5:1 for text)
• Touch targets at least 44x44px on mobile

Security

Where applicable:

• Input sanitization (XSS prevention)
• Authorization checks (can't access others' data)
• Rate limiting on sensitive endpoints
• CSRF protection on state-changing requests
• Sensitive data not exposed in URLs or logs

Important Notes

• Generate scenario IDs as [Screen]-[Category]-[Number]: e.g., LOGIN-HP-001
• Be specific in Given/When/Then. Avoid vague language.
• Prioritize every scenario (P0/P1/P2).
• Group by screen/feature, then by category.
• Include both manual and automatable scenarios.

API Testing

When the spec describes REST or GraphQL endpoints, generate scenarios specific to API behavior. These go in a dedicated ## API Endpoints section in the output.

REST Endpoint Scenarios

For each endpoint, generate scenarios covering:

GraphQL-Specific Scenarios

Scenario ID Format for APIs

Use API-[ENDPOINT]-[CATEGORY]-[NUMBER], e.g., API-USERS-AUTH-001.

Mobile-Specific Testing

When the spec targets a mobile app (iOS, Android, or cross-platform), add a ## Mobile section with these scenarios.

Device and OS

• App works on minimum supported OS version
• App works on latest OS version
• App works on smallest supported screen size (e.g., iPhone SE, 4-inch Android)
• App works on tablet if tablet is a target
• App handles orientation change without losing state (form inputs, scroll position)
• App handles split-screen / multitasking mode (iPad, Android foldables)

Gestures and Interaction

• Swipe-to-delete works and shows undo option
• Pull-to-refresh triggers data reload
• Long press shows context menu (if applicable)
• Back gesture/button navigates correctly (does not exit app unexpectedly)
• Pinch-to-zoom works on zoomable content, is disabled on non-zoomable content
• Scroll position preserved on back navigation

Push Notifications

• Notification received when app is in foreground (banner or in-app alert, per spec)
• Notification received when app is in background
• Tapping notification opens correct screen (deep link target)
• Notification with expired/invalid deep link shows fallback gracefully
• User with notifications disabled sees no errors

Offline Mode

• App shows meaningful state when offline (cached data, offline banner)
• Queued actions sync when connectivity returns
• Conflict resolution works when offline edit conflicts with server state
• App does not crash on network timeout during a write operation
• Airplane mode toggle mid-request is handled

Deep Links

• Deep link to existing content opens correct screen
• Deep link to non-existent content shows 404 or fallback
• Deep link while logged out redirects to login, then to target after auth
• Universal links / App Links open in app (not browser) when app is installed
• Deep link with query parameters passes them correctly

Scenario ID Format for Mobile

Use MOB-[SCREEN]-[CATEGORY]-[NUMBER], e.g., MOB-PROFILE-OFFLINE-001.

Automation Hooks

Generated scenarios follow Given/When/Then format intentionally. Here is how to convert them into executable test code for common frameworks.

Jest / Vitest (Unit and Integration)

Map each scenario directly to a describe + it block:

// From: LOGIN-HP-001
// Given: User is on login page with valid credentials
// When: User submits the login form
// Then: User is redirected to dashboard

describe('Login Page', () => {
  it('LOGIN-HP-001: redirects to dashboard on valid login', async () => {
    // Given
    render(<LoginPage />);
    await userEvent.type(screen.getByLabelText('Email'), 'user@test.com');
    await userEvent.type(screen.getByLabelText('Password'), 'validpass');

    // When
    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Log in' }));

    // Then
    expect(mockRouter.push).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/dashboard');
  });
});

Playwright (E2E)

// From: LOGIN-ERR-002
// Given: User is on login page
// When: User submits with wrong password
// Then: Error message "Invalid credentials" is shown

test('LOGIN-ERR-002: shows error on wrong password', async ({ page }) => {
  // Given
  await page.goto('/login');

  // When
  await page.fill('[name="email"]', 'user@test.com');
  await page.fill('[name="password"]', 'wrongpass');
  await page.click('button[type="submit"]');

  // Then
  await expect(page.locator('[role="alert"]')).toContainText('Invalid credentials');
});

Cypress

// From: DASH-HP-001
// Given: Authenticated user
// When: User visits dashboard
// Then: KPI cards display current data

describe('Dashboard', () => {
  it('DASH-HP-001: displays KPI cards for authenticated user', () => {
    // Given
    cy.login('user@test.com', 'validpass');

    // When
    cy.visit('/dashboard');

    // Then
    cy.get('[data-testid="kpi-card"]').should('have.length.at.least', 1);
    cy.get('[data-testid="kpi-card"]').first().should('not.contain', 'Loading');
  });
});

Conversion Tips

• Keep the scenario ID as the test name prefix. This links test failures back to the QA checklist.
• The "Given" maps to test setup (rendering, navigation, seeding data).
• The "When" maps to user actions (clicks, typing, API calls).
• The "Then" maps to assertions.
• P0 scenarios are your first automation targets. P2 scenarios may not justify automation cost.

Templates

See templates/qa-template.md for the full output template.