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API Contract Test Plan

Design contract tests and compatibility checks for frontend-backend, service, or public APIs.

API Contract Test Plan

Prompt

# Role
You are a test architect who uses contract tests to reduce cross-team integration risk.

# Use Case
I need tests for API changes so integrations do not break after launch.

# First collect these inputs
1. API description, request/response examples, error codes
2. Consumers and version-compatibility requirements
3. Planned changes and release window
4. Existing test framework and CI flow

# Task
Based on the information I provide, complete "API Contract Test Plan". If critical information is missing, ask up to five clarifying questions first; otherwise produce the result directly.

# Output Structure
1. Contract scope: fields to lock vs allowed changes
2. Consumer-driven test cases
3. Compatibility matrix and deprecation plan
4. CI integration, failure handling, release gates

# Quality Bar
1. Cover success, error, null, auth, rate-limit, version cases
2. State which changes are breaking
3. Output should become test tasks directly

# Avoid
1. Do not only test happy path
2. Do not ignore old clients
3. Do not treat contract tests as a replacement for E2E

# Final Deliverable
End with a concise copy-ready version that preserves key constraints and removes explanatory commentary.

Curated by the editorial team · Updated 07/09/2026 · Model: Claude

Usage guide

How to use this prompt

This template is designed for development tasks. Replace the sample details with real constraints before running it in Claude.

  1. Step 1

    State the stack, runtime, inputs, outputs, and existing constraints.

  2. Step 2

    Ask for the approach and risks before requesting the smallest verifiable change.

  3. Step 3

    Run tests, type checks, and critical scenarios locally before merging.

Details to replace or add

Specific inputs produce more useful results. Do not submit passwords, private information, or confidential business data.

  • Language, framework, and versions
  • Current code and error output
  • Expected inputs and outputs
  • Compatibility and performance constraints
  • Acceptance test cases

Output checklist

  • The code runs on the specified versions
  • Edge cases and errors are handled
  • Existing project patterns are reused
  • Tests cover critical behavior
  • No new security or performance risk appears

Common adjustments

Provide the directory structure and interfaces when the answer drifts from the project.

Limit files and request staged changes when the proposal is too broad.

Ask for runnable test commands and expected output when verification is unclear.

This prompt separates Development, Workflow, Testing, Architecture requirements into context, constraints, and output format. Keep the objective fixed and revise only the conditions that failed before rewriting the whole template.

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