Acceptance Tests Colocated With Needs

TL;DR - Session insights

• Agent initially created acceptance tests as separate zettel notes, but user requested they be co-located with their corresponding needs within the same zettel for better organization
• The note MCP structure organized 63 needs (N001-N063) into 10 themed zettels covering Core Platform, Visual Design, Navigation, Content Pages, Blog Posts, Session Logs, Discovery/SEO, Engagement/Accessibility, Content Authoring, and Community Features
• Agent deleted 6 separate acceptance test notes and updated the 10 needs notes to include inline TEST entries with #N0XX tags for traceability
• RFC 2119 keywords (MUST, SHOULD, MAY) were used throughout needs specifications to match formal requirements engineering practices

Session Log

• USER: ## CONTEXT

  We are going to discuss the needs for this project / product. This will be a critical debate between you and me and we will go as long as necessary. The final goal is to be extremely creative and critical at the same time and capture all the needs for this project / product.

  ROLE

  You are an extremely creative person (i.e., someone with a very dominant right brain) and have spent many years honing your needs specification skills. You sit down with the customer who only has a general idea of what they want and then systematically work with them to specify, in detail, the whole product. You have prior experience in industrial design as well as being the key designer in a top design studio that has design some of the most iconic products and designs.

  ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

  You have access to a bunch of MCPs to help you work on these - note, todo, zet and graphviz.

  1. note MCP - This is a notetaking MCP that follows the zettelkasten method. Each note is a zettel. All zettels are stored as markdown files. These files can contain project notes, outstanding tasks (see next point) and other information about the project.
  2. todo MCP - This is a unified task management tool that gives you access to outstanding tasks across all projects. This MCP sources its markdown files from those project directories that note MCP works with.
  3. zet MCP - This is a freeform zettelkasten (close to how Niklas Luhmann envisioned it) that is used to hold notes that are not part of any project. This is my personal knowledge base and note taking space. Unless there is a need to work with my knowledge base, you will rarely need this MCP.
  4. graphviz MCP - This is a simple shell script that accepts graphviz content along with the diagram format to use and returns path to a temporary diagram file that you must then copy into the appropriate location in your project directory.

  Since you are an AI agent with limited context window, you need to externalize all your notes, tasks and other project information so that you can continue where you left off, immaterial of whether you run out of context window or abruptly stop working for some reason beyond your control. So make sure you externalize and update information frequently.

  Whenever you and customer agree on something, you will create two pieces of information -

  • Capture the need
    • This will be a combination of TODO items as well as notes around it. Notes will hold customer needs information and you need to add a TODO to title the need which will be used later by another agent to work on.
    • This means all the code and other technical decisions / arguments we may have had has to be skipped. You have to faithfully capture the need and its TODO only and nothing else.
    • Since we are using zettelkasten as our foundation, you must decide if a new zettel needs to be created or the need can be added to an existing zettel. This also lets you group needs into themes / or major topics which will also help us later to keep the context tight.
    • When writing to zettek, the need and its title must be structured like a formal requirements specification. You must use RFC 2119 and use their requirements level specification for each need. But this is a needs spec, not requirements doc. So style it in a form of how a customer would talk about their needs (but using RFC 2119 keywords).
    • Each need should be structured as follows -

      NEED: [N001] - <Need title>
        * Key information about the need
        * Key information about the need
        * Last point listing any references to external documents, websites, blogs, etc. that was used to build this need. Include other zettels (from my freeform `zet`) that you may have identified as being relevant for this need.
          + [link](reference URL)
          + [link](reference URL)
      

      • The NEED keyword indicates that it is a customer need.
      • The [N001] in the title description indicates the unique ID for that specific need.
  • Capture the acceptance test for the need
    • This will hold the acceptance tests and criteria mapping to the need you’ve captured just now.
    • Use all the standard test design methods like like equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, etc. when creating tests.
    • There may be more than one acceptance test for a given need. Be a maximalist when creating acceptance tests to make sure you’ve captured all kinds of tests - happy cases, alternate cases, boundary cases, failure cases, load cases, security cases, etc.
    • This is not a test script. Rather, this is a test specification of how to test the whole system to confirm that the need associated with it has been met. This information will be fed to a acceptance testing LLM agent who will run these test under customer supervision.
    • The acceptance test should be structured as follows -

    • Each need should be structured as follows -

      TEST: [A001] - <Acceptance test title> #N001
        * Key information about the acceptance test
        * Key information about the acceptance test
        * Last point listing any references to external documents, websites, blogs, etc. that was used to build this test. Include other zettels (from my freeform `zet`) that you may have identified as being relevant for this test.
          + [link](reference URL)
          + [link](reference URL)
      

      • The TEST keyword indicates that it is a test.
      • The [A001] in the title description indicates the unique ID for this test. The A in the ID says that it is an acceptance test.
      • The #N001 is a tag that indicates the need ID to which this test is connected to. This lets you use tag searching with the todo MCP to get the tests for a given need.

  TASK

  • There is a set of needs in design/1.1_NEEDS.md. Record the need using the MCPs you have access to.
  • There is a set of acceptance tests in design/1.2_ACCEPTANCE.md. First, verify if these tests are sufficient to meet all the needs you’ve written till now. If not, create more. Record all the acceptance tests using the MCPs you have access to.

• TOOL-CALL: view {"file_path":"./wk1-blog/design/1.1_NEEDS.md"}

• TOOL-CALL: view {"file_path":"./wk1-blog/design/1.2_ACCEPTANCE.md"}

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_list_projects {}

• TOOL:

  <file>
       1|# NEEDS
       2|
       3|This document specifies customer needs for the 52vibes blog platform — a static website to document a year-long AI agent collaboration experiment. The blog MUST serve developers, AI researchers, and product managers. It MUST be fast, accessible, and maintainable without requiring complex infrastructure.
       4|
       5|The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119.
       6|
       7|---
       8|
       9|## PROJECT THEMES
      10|
      11|The 52vibes project is organized into four quarterly themes. Each week's blog post MUST be associated with one of these themes:
      12|
      13|| Quarter | Weeks | Theme | Description |
      14||---------|-------|-------|-------------|
      15|| Q1 | 1-13 | Agentic Infrastructure | Building foundational tools and frameworks for AI agent collaboration |
      16|| Q2 | 14-26 | Production Tools | Real-world tools that push agent limits in practical settings |
      17|| Q3 | 27-39 | Complex Workflows | Multi-step, multi-stakeholder challenges and human-in-the-loop systems |
      18|| Q4 | 40-52 | Synthesis & Edge Cases | Edge case exploration, meta-analysis, and final reporting |
      19|
      20|---
      21|
      22|## SPECIFICATIONS
      23|
      24|### Core Platform
      25|
      26|* **N001** - The blog MUST be accessible at `https://52vibes.dev/blog`.
      27|* **N002** - The blog MUST NOT require JavaScript for core functionality including reading content, navigation between pages, and viewing the site structure.
      28|* **N003** - The blog MUST render correctly on desktop browsers, tablet browsers, and mobile phone browsers of varying screen sizes.
      29|* **N004** - The blog MUST load quickly with a Lighthouse performance score of 95 or higher.
  [...99 more lines...]
  

• TOOL:

  <file>
       1|# ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
       2|
       3|This document specifies acceptance criteria for validating that the 52vibes blog platform meets all customer needs. Each criterion maps directly to a need in `1.1_NEEDS.md` and describes how an acceptance testing agent or customer can verify the need has been satisfied.
       4|
       5|---
       6|
       7|## SPECIFICATIONS
       8|
       9|### Core Platform
      10|
      11|* **A001** - Verify the blog is accessible at `https://52vibes.dev/blog`.
      12|    * Navigate to the URL in a browser
      13|    * Confirm the blog index page loads without errors
      14|    * Confirm the page displays blog content (not an error page or redirect)
      15|
      16|* **A002** - Verify core functionality works without JavaScript.
      17|    * Disable JavaScript in browser settings
      18|    * Navigate to the blog index, a blog post, and all static pages
      19|    * Confirm all content is readable
      20|    * Confirm all internal navigation links work
      21|    * Confirm the table of contents links work within posts
      22|
      23|* **A003** - Verify responsive design across device sizes.
      24|    * View the blog on a desktop browser (1920px width)
      25|    * View the blog on a tablet viewport (768px width)
      26|    * View the blog on a mobile viewport (375px width)
      27|    * Confirm layout adapts appropriately at each size
      28|    * Confirm all content remains readable and accessible
      29|    * Confirm navigation remains functional at all sizes
  [...403 more lines...]
  

• TOOL: {"count":49,"projects":[{"has_notes":false,"name":"52vibes","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/52vibes","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"97things","note_count":2,"path":"~/Documents/projects/97things","task_count":2},{"has_notes":false,"name":"AI","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/AI","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"ARCHIVES","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/ARCHIVES","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"Karya MCP testing","note_count":12,"path":"~/Documents/projects/Karya MCP testing","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"Programming","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/Programming","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"Startup","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/Startup","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"addb","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/addb","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"adm","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/adm","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"adm-web","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/adm-web","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"ads","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/ads","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"adsm","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/adsm","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"adsm-workspace","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/adsm-workspace","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"ai.spm.prod","note_count":15,"path":"~/Documents/projects/ai.spm.prod","task_count":15},{"has_notes":false,"name":"aoc2025","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/aoc2025","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"build","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/build","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"build-tests","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/build-tests","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"colony.ai","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/colony.ai","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"crush-tests","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/crush-tests","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"dac","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/dac","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"dac-experiment","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/dac-experiment","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"devnode","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/devnode","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"distributed-storage","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/distributed-storage","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"dotfiles","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/dotfiles","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"dsync","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/dsync","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"feature-x","note_count":2,"path":"~/Documents/projects/feature-x","task_count":3},{"has_notes":true,"name":"finance","note_count":1,"path":"~/Documents/projects/finance","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"gherkinmatch","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/gherkinmatch","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"gherkinplus","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/gherkinplus","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"gof-patterns-spec","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/gof-patterns-spec","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"gtd","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/gtd","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"homelab","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/homelab","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"homelab-mk1","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/homelab-mk1","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"homelab_old","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/homelab_old","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"homelab_older","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/homelab_older","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"karya","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/karya","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"lab","note_count":3,"path":"~/Documents/projects/lab","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"lab.mk1","note_count":1,"path":"~/Documents/projects/lab.mk1","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"learn-c","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/learn-c","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"learn_llm","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/learn_llm","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"local.ai","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/local.ai","task_count":0},{"has_notes":true,"name":"multiagent","note_count":1,"path":"~/Documents/projects/multiagent","task_count":1},{"has_notes":false,"name":"omnisource","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/omnisource","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"pipal","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/pipal","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"sdlc-as-code","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/sdlc-as-code","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"securitydesign.adm.vscode","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/securitydesign.adm.vscode","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"ssdlc","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/ssdlc","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"syspec","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/syspec","task_count":0},{"has_notes":false,"name":"syspec_old","note_count":0,"path":"~/Documents/projects/syspec_old","task_count":0}]}

• AI: I’ll record the needs and acceptance tests into the note MCP. Let me organize them into themed zettels.

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_create_note {"project":"52vibes","title":"Week 1: Blog Platform Needs - Core Platform","content":"\n## Core Platform Needs\n\nNEED: [N001] - Blog URL Accessibility\n* The blog MUST be accessible at https://52vibes.dev/blog`\n* This is the primary entry point for all blog content\n\nNEED: [N002] - JavaScript-Free Core Functionality\n* The blog MUST NOT require JavaScript for core functionality\n* Core functionality includes: reading content, navigation between pages, viewing site structure\n* Progressive en…`

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_create_note {"project":"52vibes","title":"Week 1: Blog Platform Needs - Visual Design","content":"\n## Visual Design Needs\n\nNEED: [N007] - Terminal/Tmux-Inspired Design\n* The blog MUST use a terminal/tmux-inspired visual design\n* Design elements include: status bars and bordered content areas\n* Aesthetic SHOULD evoke a developer-focused, technical feel\n\nNEED: [N008] - Dark and Light Theme Support\n* The blog MUST support both dark and light color themes\n* Themes MUST be based on the Gruvbox color pa...

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_create_note {"project":"52vibes","title":"Week 1: Blog Platform Needs - Navigation Structure","content":"\n## Navigation Structure Needs\n\nNEED: [N012] - Top Status Bar Week Navigation\n* The blog MUST display a top status bar showing clickable week numbers\n* Only completed weeks SHOULD be displayed as clickable\n* Clicking a week number MUST navigate to that week's post\n\nNEED: [N013] - Week Number Tooltips\n* The top status bar MUST show native browser tooltips when hovering over week numbers\n* Toolti...

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_create_note {"project":"52vibes","title":"Week 1: Blog Platform Needs - Content Pages","content":"\n## Content Pages Needs\n\nNEED: [N019] - About Page\n* The blog MUST provide an About page at /about/\n* The About page MUST describe the project and author\n\nNEED: [N020] - Weekly Index Page\n* The blog MUST provide a Weekly Index page at /blog/weeks/\n* The page MUST list all 52 weeks\n* Each week MUST show status: completed, in-progress, or upcoming\n* Completed weeks MUST show titles\n\nNEED: [N021] ...

• TOOL-CALL: mcp_note_create_note {"project":"52vibes","title":"Week 1: Blog Platform Needs - Blog Posts","content":"\n## Blog Posts Needs\n\nNEED: [N024] - Weekly Post URL Structure\n* Weekly blog posts MUST be accessible at URLs following the pattern /blog/week-XX-