---
title: "Add executable smoke tests for shell scripts and CLIs before refactors ship"
description: "Use Bats-core when an agent needs to turn fragile shell scripts or command-line workflows into something it can verify repeatedly after edits. The agent writes focused Bash tests for success paths, failure paths, and output contracts, then runs them locally or in CI before a refactor, release, or incident fix goes out."
verification: "security_reviewed"
source: "https://github.com/bats-core/bats-core"
author: "bats-core contributors"
publisher_type: "Open Source Project"
category:
  - "Developer Tools"
framework:
  - "Multi-Framework"
tool_ecosystem:
  github_repo: "bats-core/bats-core"
  github_stars: 5974
---

# Add executable smoke tests for shell scripts and CLIs before refactors ship

Use Bats-core when an agent needs to turn fragile shell scripts or command-line workflows into something it can verify repeatedly after edits. The agent writes focused Bash tests for success paths, failure paths, and output contracts, then runs them locally or in CI before a refactor, release, or incident fix goes out.

## Prerequisites

Bash plus Bats-core and the shell scripts or CLI commands under test

## Installation

Choose whichever fits your setup:

1. Copy this skill folder into your local skills directory.
2. Clone the repo and symlink or copy the skill into your agent workspace.
3. Add the repo as a git submodule if you manage shared skills centrally.
4. Install it through your internal provisioning or packaging workflow.
5. Download the folder directly from GitHub and place it in your skills collection.

Install command or upstream instructions:

```
Install Bats-core from the official repository or package manager, then add .bats test files for the target scripts or commands.
```

## Documentation

- https://bats-core.readthedocs.io/en/stable/

## Source

- [Agent Skill Exchange](https://agentskillexchange.com/skills/add-shell-and-cli-smoke-tests-before-refactors-ship/)