Agent skill

Mstest

by managedcode in managedcode/dotnet-skills

Write, run, or repair .NET tests that use MSTest. An agent skill from managedcode/dotnet-skills.

Install Mstest

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .claude/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Paste into Claude Code

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .claude/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

$skill-installer

$skill-installer install https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest

Type this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a codex

Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest --agent codex

Project scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .agents/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.

Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/

Paste into Codex

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .agents/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a cursor

Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest --agent cursor

Project scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .cursor/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.

Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/

Paste into Cursor

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .cursor/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

gemini skills install

$ gemini skills install https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git --path catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest

--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a gemini-cli

Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest --agent gemini-cli

Project scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .gemini/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.

Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/

Paste into Gemini CLI

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .gemini/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest

Installs for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a github-copilot

Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .github/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.

GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/

Paste into GitHub Copilot

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .github/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

skills CLI

$ npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a opencode

OpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.

GitHub CLI

$ gh skill install managedcode/dotnet-skills mstest --agent opencode

Project scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.

Manual copy

$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest .opencode/skills/mstest && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.

OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/

Paste into OpenCode

Install the "mstest" agent skill from https://github.com/managedcode/dotnet-skills/tree/main/catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest into .opencode/skills/mstest/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "mstest", then confirm the skill loads.

OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.

Facts

Skill name: mstest
GitHub stars: 486
Token cost: ~1.5k tokens
SKILL.md length: 685 words
Files: 5 (incl. references)
Skills in repo: 81
Repo updated: Oct 7, 2026
First seen: Oct 7, 2026
Licence: MIT

At a glance

Write, run, or repair .NET tests that use MSTest. An agent skill from managedcode/dotnet-skills.

Works in 3 steps: Read the nearest AGENTS.md and confirm… → Run this skill's Workflow through the… → Return the Required Result Format with…
A repo uses MSTest.Sdk
SKILL.md covers Diagnostic Output Budget, Trigger On, Value and Do Not Use For, plus 9 more sections
Calls dotnet and rg

What it does

Mstest is an agent skill from managedcode/dotnet-skills. Write, run, or repair .NET tests that use MSTest. Use when a repo uses MSTest.Sdk, MSTest, [TestClass], [TestMethod], DataRow, or Microsoft.Testing.Platform-based MSTest execution. USE FOR: the repo uses MSTest; you need to add, run, debug, or repair MSTest tests; the repo is moving between VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform. DO NOT USE FOR: xUnit projects; TUnit projects. INVOKES: inspect the repository context, edit targeted files, and run relevant build, test, lint, or validation commands when changes are…

Its SKILL.md is about 1.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 5 other files, including reference files (for example `manifest.json`, `references/anti-patterns.md` and `references/mstest.md`).

It sits in Agent Workflows, covering Unit testing and Codebase knowledge for agents. It works with .NET. The repository describes itself as: Installable .NET skill catalog and CLI for Codex, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and Gemini. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

A repo uses MSTest.Sdk
Microsoft.Testing.Platform-based MSTest execution
: the repo uses MSTest
You need to add

Example prompts

“/mstest”

Workflow steps

3 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.

Read the nearest AGENTS.md and confirm scope and constraints.
Run this skill's Workflow through the Ralph Loop until outcomes are acceptable.
Return the Required Result Format with concrete artifacts and verification evidence.

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 535dd55. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
Shell commands in SKILL.md call:
- dotnet
- rg
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Mstest loads about 1.5k tokens when it runs, and up to ~8.9k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 135 tokens; SKILL.md has 685 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it: ~135
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches: ~1.5k
With references · SKILL.md plus every file in references/, read only if the agent opens them: ~8.9k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from managedcode/dotnet-skills at commit 535dd55, republished under its MIT licence (© managedcode). 685 words, ~1,466 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/mstest/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder). This skill also uses 4 other files; get the full folder from GitHub.

name: mstest
description: Write, run, or repair .NET tests that use MSTest. Use when a repo uses `MSTest.Sdk`, `MSTest`, `[TestClass]`, `[TestMethod]`, `DataRow`, or Microsoft.Testing.Platform-based MSTest execution. USE FOR: the repo uses MSTest; you need to add, run, debug, or repair MSTest tests; the repo is moving between VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform. DO NOT USE FOR: xUnit projects; TUnit projects. INVOKES: inspect the repository context, edit targeted files, and run relevant build, test, lint, or validation commands when changes are made.

MSTest

Diagnostic Output Budget

Keep native test progress and ANSI visible; use the detected runner's supported flags (--progress on --ansi on for MTP/TUnit), not MTP switches on VSTest. Keep console logs at Warning or higher and one concise final summary. Do not replay progress redraws, successful-test output, or Information/Debug/Trace logs into model context. On failure/crash, show only the failing test/resource, root error, and relevant stack frames; deduplicate and cap each diagnostic response at 80 lines / 8 KiB. Never dump entire console/host/browser logs, HTML, TRX, or crash artifacts. Keep necessary artifacts size-bounded outside context, link them, and inspect exact bounded excerpts. Preserve the runner exit code through capture/filtering; disclose truncation. Silence alone does not establish a hang.

Trigger On

the repo uses MSTest
you need to add, run, debug, or repair MSTest tests
the repo is moving between VSTest and Microsoft.Testing.Platform

Value

produce a concrete project delta: code, docs, config, tests, CI, or review artifact
reduce ambiguity through explicit planning, verification, and final validation skills
leave reusable project context so future tasks are faster and safer

Do Not Use For

xUnit projects
TUnit projects
generic test strategy with no MSTest-specific mechanics

Inputs

the nearest AGENTS.md
the test project file and package references
the active MSTest runner model

Quick Start

Read the nearest AGENTS.md and confirm scope and constraints.
Run this skill's Workflow through the Ralph Loop until outcomes are acceptable.
Return the Required Result Format with concrete artifacts and verification evidence.

Workflow

Detect the MSTest project style first:
- MSTest.Sdk project SDK
- MSTest meta-package
- legacy package set with explicit Microsoft.NET.Test.Sdk
Read the repo's real test command from AGENTS.md. If the repo has no explicit command yet, start with dotnet test PROJECT_OR_SOLUTION.
Keep the runner model consistent:
- MSTest.Sdk defaults to the MSTest runner on Microsoft.Testing.Platform
- VSTest is opt-in with UseVSTest=true or legacy package choices
- do not pass VSTest-only switches or assume legacy .runsettings behavior on Microsoft.Testing.Platform jobs
Prefer [DataRow] or DynamicData for stable data-driven coverage. Keep test lifecycle hooks minimal and deterministic.
Keep MSTest analyzers enabled and fix findings instead of muting them casually.
Align coverage/reporting packages with the active runner.

Bootstrap When Missing

If MSTest is requested but not configured:

Detect current framework first:
- rg -n "MSTest\\.Sdk|PackageReference Include=\"MSTest\"|xunit|TUnit|UseVSTest|TestingPlatformDotnetTestSupport" -g '*.csproj' .
If the repo currently uses xUnit or TUnit, do not auto-migrate. Return status: not_applicable unless migration is explicitly requested.
For explicit MSTest adoption, add package(s) to target test project:
- dotnet add TEST_PROJECT.csproj package MSTest
Document runner model (MSTest.Sdk default MTP vs UseVSTest) in AGENTS.md.
Run dotnet test TEST_PROJECT.csproj and return status: configured or status: improved.

Show full SKILL.md (248 more words)Show less

Deliver

MSTest tests that match the repo's runner model
commands that work in local and CI runs
explicit guidance for VSTest versus Microsoft.Testing.Platform usage

Validate

the runner model is documented and consistent
test commands match that runner
data-driven tests stay deterministic
analyzer, coverage, and reporting packages align with the chosen runner

Ralph Loop

Use the Ralph Loop for every task, including docs, architecture, testing, and tooling work.

Plan first (mandatory):
- analyze current state
- define target outcome, constraints, and risks
- write a detailed execution plan
- list final validation skills to run at the end, with order and reason
Execute one planned step and produce a concrete delta.
Review the result and capture findings with actionable next fixes.
Apply fixes in small batches and rerun the relevant checks or review steps.
Update the plan after each iteration.
Repeat until outcomes are acceptable or only explicit exceptions remain.
If a dependency is missing, bootstrap it or return status: not_applicable with explicit reason and fallback path.

Required Result Format

status: complete | clean | improved | configured | not_applicable | blocked
plan: concise plan and current iteration step
actions_taken: concrete changes made
validation_skills: final skills run, or skipped with reasons
verification: commands, checks, or review evidence summary
remaining: top unresolved items or none

For setup-only requests with no execution, return status: configured and exact next commands.

Load References

Example Requests

"Fix our MSTest runner setup."
"Add an MSTest regression test."
"Move this MSTest project to Microsoft.Testing.Platform safely."

Files

SKILL.md and 4 other files (references) in catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest of managedcode/dotnet-skills.

SKILL.md
manifest.json
references/anti-patterns.md
references/mstest.md
references/patterns.md

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 535dd55

Compare with similar skills

Mstest next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

Mstest compared with similar skills
Skill	Stars	Used in	Tokens	Auto-check	Licence	Repo updated
Mstest this skillmanagedcode/dotnet-skills	486	—	~1.5k	Automated safety check: Pass	MIT	today
Mcaf Dotnet Netarchtestmanagedcode/Storage	138	—	~936	Automated safety check: Pass	MIT	today
New Event Sourceaws/aws-lambda-dotnet	1.7k	—	~3k	Automated safety check: Pass	Apache-2.0	today
ScottPlot Test RunnerScottPlot/ScottPlot	6.8k	—	~308	Automated safety check: Pass	MIT	1 mo ago
Aspire Integration TestingDevBetterCom/DevBetterWeb	157	2 repos	~2.3k	Automated safety check: Pass	None	4 days ago
Vstest Build Testmicrosoft/vstest	969	—	~1.9k	Automated safety check: Pass	MIT	yesterday

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Questions about Mstest

What does Mstest do?

Write, run, or repair .NET tests that use MSTest. An agent skill from managedcode/dotnet-skills. Mstest is an agent skill from managedcode/dotnet-skills.NET tests that use MSTest.

When should I use Mstest?

Mstest fits situations like: A repo uses MSTest.Sdk; microsoft.Testing.Platform-based MSTest execution; : the repo uses MSTest; you need to add.

How do I install Mstest in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest in managedcode/dotnet-skills) into .claude/skills/mstest in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Mstest in Codex?

Run `npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (catalog/Testing/MSTest/skills/mstest in managedcode/dotnet-skills) into .agents/skills/mstest in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Mstest in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add managedcode/dotnet-skills --skill mstest -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/mstest, .gemini/skills/mstest, .github/skills/mstest and .opencode/skills/mstest in your project.

What does Mstest need to run?

Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Mstest needs the command-line tools its instructions call (dotnet and rg).

Does Mstest access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Mstest safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Mstest use?

Mstest is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Mstest use?

About 1.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 5.9k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 7.4k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.

What are the alternatives to Mstest?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Mstest: Mcaf Dotnet Netarchtest (managedcode/Storage, 138 stars), New Event Source (aws/aws-lambda-dotnet, 1.7k stars), ScottPlot Test Runner (ScottPlot/ScottPlot, 6.8k stars) and Aspire Integration Testing (DevBetterCom/DevBetterWeb, 157 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Mstest?

managedcode (a GitHub organization) maintains it in managedcode/dotnet-skills, which has 486 GitHub stars. The repository holds 81 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 7, 2026.

Source: managedcode/dotnet-skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.

Install Mstest

Facts

At a glance

What it does

When your agent uses it

Example prompts

Workflow steps

What it can do on your machine

Tool permissions

Runs code

Network

Credentials

Context cost

Safety

SKILL.md

MSTest

Diagnostic Output Budget

Trigger On

Value

Do Not Use For

Inputs

Quick Start

Workflow

Bootstrap When Missing

Deliver

Validate

Ralph Loop

Required Result Format

Load References

Example Requests

Files

Compare with similar skills

Similar skills

More from managedcode/dotnet-skills

Related

Questions about Mstest