apexTest

A VS Code extension that scaffolds AI workflow templates for structured, multi-agent development.

What It Does

When you run the apexTest: Initialize Project command, it creates:

.github/
├── agents/
│   ├── orchestrator.md          # Coordinates multi-domain tasks & handoffs
│   ├── backend-architect.md
│   ├── frontend-specialist.md
│   └── qa-engineer.md
├── skills/
│   ├── api-design.md            # Trigger: /api-design, /api
│   ├── testing.md               # Trigger: /testing, /test, /qa
│   └── performance.md           # Trigger: /performance, /perf, /optimize
└── copilot-instructions.md

These files define specialized AI personas (agents), an orchestrator for managing handoffs, and reusable capabilities (skills) that enhance GitHub Copilot's behavior in your workspace.

Installation

From VSIX (Local)

1. Build the extension: npm run compile
2. Package it: npm run vscode:prepublish
3. Create VSIX: vsce package
4. In VS Code: Extensions > ... > Install from VSIX → select .vsix file

From Marketplace (After Publishing)

Search for "apexTest" in the VS Code Marketplace.

Usage

1. Open a folder in VS Code
2. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P)
3. Type: apexHarness: Initialize Project
4. Press Enter
5. Files are created in .github/ folder

What's Inside

Agents

Pre-configured AI personalities for specific roles (use @agent-name in chat):

• orchestrator: Coordinates complex multi-domain tasks and manages handoffs between specialist agents
• backend-architect: API design, system architecture, databases
• frontend-specialist: UI/UX, components, performance
• qa-engineer: Testing, quality, automation

Agent Handoffs

The orchestrator agent automatically:

• Analyzes complex tasks requiring multiple specialties
• Delegates subtasks to the appropriate specialist agent
• Manages context and handoffs between agents
• Integrates work from multiple agents into cohesive solutions

Skills

Reusable knowledge modules with slash command triggers:

• api-design: REST API principles, OpenAPI, patterns - Type /api-design or /api
• testing: Unit, integration, E2E testing practices - Type /testing, /test, or /qa
• performance: Frontend and backend optimization - Type /performance, /perf, or /optimize

Copilot Instructions

Global instructions that guide GitHub Copilot's behavior across your workspace.

Customization

Edit the template files in .github/agents/, .github/skills/, and copilot-instructions.md to:

• Add new agents tailored to your team
• Create custom skills for your domain
• Modify global Copilot instructions

Changes take effect immediately in Copilot chat and code suggestions.

Development

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• npm or yarn

Setup

npm install

Build

npm run compile

Watch Mode

npm run watch

Package

vsce package

Publish (After Creating Publisher Account)

vsce publish

Architecture

The extension is intentionally simple:

• ~80 lines of TypeScript in extension.ts
• Copies bundled template files on activation
• No complex runtime logic
• All intelligence lives in the .md template files

This follows the philosophy: scaffolding + orchestration setup, not complex logic.

Future Enhancements

Possible additions:

• GUI wizard for customizing agents
• Template marketplace integration
• Git auto-commit scaffolded files
• VS Code settings synchronization
• Workflow state persistence

License

MIT

Support

For issues or suggestions, create a GitHub issue in this repository.