# Soak Test

Soak test protocol for extended play, what to observe and log for slow leaks, fatigue...

- Repository: https://github.com/Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios (32144 stars)
- Category: Testing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-19
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios --skill soak-test -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios --skill soak-test -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios --skill soak-test -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios --skill soak-test -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Soak test protocol for extended play, what to observe and log for slow leaks, fatigue, late-appearing edge cases.

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

!`bash "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../hooks/yaml-helper.sh" resolve_config --keys automation,workflow`

**Automation mode**: Resolve `modes.automation` (`project.local.yaml` →
`project.yaml` → default `collaborative`). Every `AskUserQuestion` call and
every file write follows `.claude/docs/automation-modes.md`
(collaborative asks always · guided major-only · autonomous logs and proceeds;
`automation_always_ask` categories always prompt).

# Soak Test

A soak test (also called an endurance test) is an extended play session run
with specific observation goals. Unlike a smoke check (broad critical path,
~10 min) or a single-feature playtest (~30 min), a soak test runs for **30
minutes to several hours** to surface:

- **Memory leaks**, gradual heap growth that only appears after scene transitions
- **Performance drift**, frame time degradation that worsens over time
- **State accumulation bugs**, issues that only appear after N repetitions
  of a mechanic (inventory full, score overflow, AI state corruption)
- **Fun fatigue**, mechanics that feel good in a first session but grow
  repetitive over extended play
- **Content exhaustion**, the point where players run out of novel content

**This skill generates the observation protocol and analysis harness, the
human does the actual playing.**

**Output:** `production/qa/soak-test-[date]-[duration].md`

**When to run:**
- Polish phase, before `/gate-check release`
- After fixing a memory or stability issue (regression soak)
- When extended play has not been formally tracked

---

## 1. Parse Arguments

**Duration** (default: `1h`):
- `30m`, short soak; suitable for testing a single mechanic or scene
- `1h`, standard soak; covers most common leak categories
- `2h`, extended soak; recommended for first full Polish soak
- `4h`, deep soak; required for games with long session design (RPGs, sims)

The rest: https://github.com/Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios/blob/HEAD/.claude/skills/soak-test/SKILL.md