UI Automation Harness (Track-A watchdog scaffold)

The UI Automation Harness, specifically the Track-A watchdog scaffold, offers a practical approach to maintaining site integrity through an overnight build system. This tool generates a WatchSpec for @te-security/watchdog, which is essential for catching breakage like missing selectors on surfaces you own.

Setting Up the Watchdog

To initiate the process, you'll need to run a command using Node.js:

node .claude/skills/ui-automation-harness/scripts/scaffold_watchdog.mjs \
  --surface glacier:play \
  --url https://staging.glacierfortcollins.com/play \
  --label "play page" \
  --expect "#play-button,.coupon-panel,#leaderboard"

This command outputs a WatchSpec in JSON format. The WatchSpec is then used with the runWatchdog(spec, reader) function, where reader acts as a browser-engine WebAgent-backed PageReader in production environments, or as a FixturePageReader during tests. This setup ensures that any silent regression on a revenue-critical surface is detected promptly, as even one broken selector results in a filed finding.

Operational Guardrails

The UI Automation Harness operates within strict consent boundaries. It is designed for use on surfaces you own, specifically in staging environments, and performs read-only operations. This means it only asserts the presence of selectors and never performs actions like submitting forms, clicking buttons, or making purchases. The emphasis here is on consent and ownership, making it a legitimate tool compared to unauthorized data grabbers.

Practical Applications

The practical application of this tool is clear: start with critical conversion paths such as the play-to-score-to-coupon UI flow. By focusing on key elements like the #play-button, .coupon-panel, and #leaderboard, you ensure that any breakage in these areas is immediately reported. This approach protects against silent regressions that could otherwise impact revenue and user experience.

Conclusion

In essence, the UI Automation Harness is a proactive tool for site monitoring, emphasizing consent and ownership. It provides a structured method to detect and report issues before they escalate, making it invaluable for developers and site owners who aim to maintain the integrity of their digital assets.