references/testing-standards.md

# Test and verification standards

Test scopes:
1. **Pure transformations** with small deterministic fixtures including null/duplicate/date edge cases.
2. **Schema/contract** across input/output layers, explicit grain and allowed values.
3. **Integration** using local/temporary databases or isolated data environments.
4. **Replay/idempotency** apply same input twice, assert identical business state.
5. **Failure recovery** partial batches, retry, missing partitions, backfill, checkpoint compatibility.
6. **Authorization** account/tenant negative tests and redaction.
7. **Performance** representative size and evidence, not a toy data-only benchmark.

A test must declare commands, environment, fixtures, expected result, observed result and status. Running package structure checks is not live platform validation. Never claim production correctness from unit tests alone.