beads/docs/dev-notes/MAIN_TEST_CLEANUP_PLAN.md

main_test.go Cleanup Plan

Problem

main_test.go has 18 tests using deprecated global state (isDirty, flushTimer, flushMutex). These tests are slow (14 newTestStore() calls) and redundant with flush_manager_test.go.

Root Cause

• FlushManager refactoring (bd-52) moved flush logic to isolated FlushManager
• Legacy path kept "for backward compatibility with tests"
• main_test.go still tests the DEPRECATED legacy path
• flush_manager_test.go tests the NEW FlushManager path

Solution: Three-Phase Cleanup

Phase 1: Remove Redundant Tests (THIS SESSION)

Tests to DELETE (covered by flush_manager_test.go):

1. TestAutoFlushDirtyMarking (line 22)

   • Tests that isDirty flag gets set
   • COVERED BY: TestFlushManagerMarkDirtyTriggersFlush
   • Uses: global isDirty, flushTimer

2. TestAutoFlushDisabled (line 59)

   • Tests that --no-auto-flush disables flushing
   • COVERED BY: TestFlushManagerDisabledDoesNotFlush
   • Uses: global autoFlushEnabled

3. TestAutoFlushDebounce (line 90)

   • ALREADY SKIPPED with note: "obsolete - tested in flush_manager_test.go"
   • DELETE entirely

4. TestAutoFlushClearState (line 184)

   • Tests clearAutoFlushState() resets flags
   • clearAutoFlushState() is legacy-only (no FlushManager equivalent yet)
   • Will be replaced when we add FlushManager.MarkClean()
   • DELETE (clearAutoFlushState tested implicitly in export/sync commands)

5. TestAutoFlushConcurrency (line 355)

   • Tests concurrent markDirtyAndScheduleFlush() calls
   • COVERED BY: TestFlushManagerConcurrentMarkDirty
   • Uses: global isDirty, flushTimer

6. TestAutoFlushStoreInactive (line 403)

   • Tests flush behavior when store is closed
   • COVERED BY: TestPerformFlushStoreInactive
   • Uses: global storeActive

7. TestAutoFlushErrorHandling (line 582)

   • Tests error scenarios (JSONL as directory)
   • COVERED BY: TestPerformFlushErrorHandling
   • Uses: newTestStore(), global state

Tests to KEEP (unique integration value):

1. TestAutoFlushOnExit (line 219)

   • Tests PersistentPostRun() calls flushManager.Shutdown()
   • Integration test: CLI lifecycle → flush behavior
   • NOT covered by flush_manager_test.go
   • REFACTOR to use FlushManager directly (not global state)

2. TestAutoFlushJSONLContent (line 446)

   • Tests actual JSONL file content after flush
   • Integration test: DB mutations → JSONL file output
   • NOT covered by flush_manager_test.go
   • REFACTOR to set up FlushManager properly

3. Auto-import tests (9 tests, lines 701-1412)

   • Test DB ↔ JSONL synchronization
   • Test merge conflict detection
   • Test status transition invariants
   • Integration tests with filesystem/git operations
   • DEFER to separate cleanup (different subsystem)

Phase 2: Remove Legacy Path

After deleting redundant tests:

1. Add MarkClean() method to FlushManager
2. Update clearAutoFlushState() to use flushManager.MarkClean()
3. Remove legacy path from markDirtyAndScheduleFlush()
4. Remove legacy path from markDirtyAndScheduleFullExport()

Phase 3: Remove Global State

After removing legacy path:

1. Remove global variables:

   • isDirty (line 72 in main.go)
   • flushTimer (line 75 in main.go)
   • flushMutex (line 74 in main.go)

2. Update test cleanup code:

   • cli_fast_test.go: Remove isDirty/flushTimer reset
   • direct_mode_test.go: Remove isDirty/flushTimer save/restore

Expected Impact

Before:

• 18 tests in main_test.go
• 14 newTestStore() calls
• ~15-20 seconds runtime (estimated)
• Testing deprecated code path

After Phase 1:

• 11 tests in main_test.go (7 deleted)
• ~6-8 newTestStore() calls (auto-import tests)
• ~5-7 seconds runtime (estimated)
• Testing only integration behavior

After Phase 2:

• Same test count
• Cleaner code (no legacy path)
• Tests use FlushManager directly

After Phase 3:

• Same test count
• No global state pollution
• Tests can run in parallel (t.Parallel())
• ~2-3 seconds runtime (estimated)

Implementation Steps

1. Add t.Skip() to 7 redundant tests ✓
2. Run tests to verify nothing breaks ✓
3. Delete skipped tests ✓
4. Refactor 2 keeper tests to use FlushManager
5. Add FlushManager.MarkClean() method
6. Remove legacy paths
7. Remove global variables
8. Run full test suite

Files Modified

• cmd/bd/main_test.go - Delete 7 tests, refactor 2 tests
• cmd/bd/flush_manager.go - Add MarkClean() method
• cmd/bd/autoflush.go - Remove legacy paths
• cmd/bd/main.go - Remove global variables (Phase 3)
• docs/MAIN_TEST_REFACTOR_NOTES.md - Update with new approach

References

• Original analysis: docs/MAIN_TEST_REFACTOR_NOTES.md
• FlushManager implementation: cmd/bd/flush_manager.go
• FlushManager tests: cmd/bd/flush_manager_test.go
• Issue bd-52: FlushManager refactoring
• Issue bd-159: Test config reference