# How to Run Tests for Hallmark: Complete Manual Verification Guide

> Learn how to run tests for Hallmark with this complete manual verification guide. Validate your skill by running npm run serve and comparing UI against reference specifications.

- Repository: [Hassan El Mghari/hallmark](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-07-26

---

**TLDR:** Hallmark does not provide an automated test suite; you validate the skill by running `npm run serve` and manually comparing the rendered UI against the reference specifications in [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md).

To run tests for Hallmark, you must follow a manual verification workflow unlike typical Node.js projects. Hallmark is a design skill package for AI coding assistants maintained by Nutlope that intentionally ships without Jest, Mocha, or any automated testing framework, requiring developers to verify behavior against a documented reference file.

## Understanding Hallmark's Testing Architecture

According to the Nutlope/hallmark source code, the repository is structured for manual validation rather than CI/CD automation.

### No Automated Test Scripts in package.json

The [`package.json`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/package.json) manifest reveals that the project defines only a single npm script. As implemented in the repository, the scripts section contains:

```json
"scripts": {
  "serve": "vite preview --port 4173"
}

```

There is no `test` script defined, which means running `npm test` returns an error. The project also contains **zero external npm dependencies**, confirming it relies entirely on static assets and browser-based rendering rather than Node.js testing utilities.

### The Slop Test Reference File

The sole testing artifact is located at [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md). This markdown file contains the authoritative test scenarios, expected outputs, and validation criteria that the skill author intends developers to check manually against the running application.

## Step-by-Step Manual Testing Guide

Since Hallmark requires visual confirmation against reference material, follow this exact workflow to validate the skill:

### 1. Clone the Repository

```bash
git clone https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark.git
cd hallmark

```

### 2. Install Dependencies (Optional)

Hallmark ships with no external npm dependencies, so `npm install` is technically optional and primarily serves to verify local Node.js compatibility:

```bash
npm install

```

### 3. Start the Development Server

Run the only available script to start the local HTTP server:

```bash
npm run serve

```

This command launches a Vite preview server hosting the `site/` directory on **port 4173**. Keep this terminal session active while testing.

### 4. Load the Application in Your Browser

Navigate to `http://localhost:4173` to load [`site/index.html`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/index.html). The page renders the interactive UI driven by [`site/js/main.js`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/js/main.js), which constitutes the skill's functional interface.

### 5. Verify Against the Slop Test Reference

Open [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md) in your code editor. This file describes specific scenarios—such as typography rendering, layout constraints, and component states—that constitute a "passing" test. Manually exercise the UI in your browser and confirm that:

- Visual output matches the specifications in the reference file
- Interactive behaviors defined in [`site/js/main.js`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/js/main.js) produce expected DOM changes
- No console errors appear during scenario execution

## Creating an Automated Test Harness (Optional)

If you require CI/CD integration, you can author a custom automated test harness. Because `npm run serve` exposes a standard HTTP endpoint, tools like **Playwright** or **Jest with jsdom** can load `http://localhost:4173` and assert against the DOM structure described in [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md).

Example Playwright test stub:

```javascript
import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';

test('hallmark renders correctly', async ({ page }) => {
  await page.goto('http://localhost:4173');
  // Add assertions based on slop-test.md criteria
  await expect(page.locator('h1')).toHaveText('Expected Title');
});

```

## Summary

- **Hallmark has no built-in test runner**: The [`package.json`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/package.json) contains only a `serve` script, with no `test` command or testing framework dependencies.
- **Manual verification is required**: Testing relies on comparing the running application against the specifications in [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md).
- **Server runs on port 4173**: Execute `npm run serve` to start the Vite preview server hosting [`site/index.html`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/index.html).
- **Core files**: The UI logic resides in [`site/js/main.js`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/js/main.js), while the entry point is [`site/index.html`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/site/index.html).
- **Automation possible**: You can build a custom harness using Playwright or similar tools to parse the Slop Test reference programmatically.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does Hallmark include automated unit tests?

No. As implemented in Nutlope/hallmark, the repository contains no automated unit tests, integration tests, or end-to-end suites. The project is designed as a design skill for AI assistants, validated through the manual Slop Test reference rather than automated assertions.

### What is the Slop Test reference file?

The Slop Test reference is a markdown document located at [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md). It defines the expected behavior, visual outputs, and test scenarios that developers must manually verify when running the Hallmark skill locally.

### How do I run Hallmark locally to begin testing?

Execute `npm run serve` in the repository root. This starts a development server on port 4173 serving the `site/` directory. You can then open `http://localhost:4173` in a browser to begin manual verification against the reference criteria.

### Can I add automated tests to the Hallmark repository?

Yes. While not provided out of the box, you can create a custom test harness using frameworks like Jest with jsdom or Playwright. These tools can load the page served by `npm run serve` and assert that the DOM matches the expectations documented in [`skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md`](https://github.com/Nutlope/hallmark/blob/main/skills/hallmark/references/slop-test.md).