# Dotnet Slopwatch

Use Slopwatch to detect LLM reward hacking in .NET code changes.

- Repository: https://github.com/Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills (1244 stars)
- Category: Testing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-slopwatch -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-slopwatch -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-slopwatch -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-slopwatch -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills`

## Description

Use Slopwatch to detect LLM reward hacking in .NET code changes. Run after every code modification to catch disabled tests, suppressed warnings, empty catch blocks, and other shortcuts that mask real problems.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Slopwatch: LLM Anti-Cheat for .NET

## When to Use This Skill

**Use this skill constantly.** Every time an LLM (including Claude) makes changes to:
- C# source files (.cs)
- Project files (.csproj)
- Props files (Directory.Build.props, Directory.Packages.props)
- Test files

Run slopwatch to validate the changes don't introduce "slop."

## What is Slop?

"Slop" refers to shortcuts LLMs take that make tests pass or builds succeed without actually solving the underlying problem. These are reward hacking behaviors - the LLM optimizes for apparent success rather than real fixes.

### Common Slop Patterns

| Pattern | Example | Why It's Bad |
|---------|---------|--------------|
| Disabled tests | `[Fact(Skip="flaky")]` | Hides failures instead of fixing them |
| Warning suppression | `#pragma warning disable CS8618` | Silences compiler without fixing issue |
| Empty catch blocks | `catch (Exception) { }` | Swallows errors, hides bugs |
| Arbitrary delays | `await Task.Delay(1000);` | Masks race conditions, makes tests slow |
| Project-level suppression | `<NoWarn>CS1591</NoWarn>` | Disables warnings project-wide |
| CPM bypass | `Version="1.0.0"` inline | Undermines central package management |

**Never accept these patterns.** If an LLM introduces slop, reject the change and require a proper fix.

---

## Installation

### As a Local Tool (Recommended)

Add to `.config/dotnet-tools.json`:

```json
{
  "version": 1,
  "isRoot": true,
  "tools": {
    "slopwatch.cmd": {
      "version": "0.4.2",
      "commands": ["slopwatch"],
      "rollForward": false
    }
  }
}
```

Then restore:
```bash
dotnet tool restore
```

### As a Global Tool

```bash
dotnet tool install --global Slopwatch.Cmd
```

---

## First-Time Setup: Establish a Baseline

Before using slopwatch on an existing project, create a baseline of current issues:

```bash
# Initialize baseline from existing code
slopwatch init

The rest: https://github.com/Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/slopwatch/SKILL.md