---
phase: 01-topic-start-hardening
plan: 03
subsystem: testing
tags: [aitp, regression, pytest, topic-start]
requires:
  - phase: 01-topic-start-hardening
    provides: Distillation and explainability behavior
provides:
  - source-backed topic-start regressions
  - environment-isolated migration regression
  - full-suite verification
affects: [phase-01, test-suite, deterministic-validation]
tech-stack:
  added: [pytest regression module]
  patterns: [deterministic home-dir isolation, source-backed topic-start regression]
key-files:
  created: [research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_topic_start_regressions.py]
  modified: [research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_aitp_service.py]
key-decisions:
  - "Patch environment-sensitive tests instead of letting real ~/.claude state influence runtime verification."
patterns-established:
  - "Topic-start behavior should be locked by real source-backed regressions, not only by broad shell tests."
requirements-completed: [START-03, STAT-03]
duration: 20min
completed: 2026-03-31
---

# Phase 1: Topic-Start Hardening Summary

**Topic-start hardening is now covered by deterministic regressions and a clean runtime test suite**

## Performance

- **Duration:** 20 min
- **Started:** 2026-03-31T05:00:00+08:00
- **Completed:** 2026-03-31T05:20:00+08:00
- **Tasks:** 2
- **Files modified:** 2

## Accomplishments
- Added dedicated source-backed topic-start regressions.
- Isolated a migration/install test from real `~/.claude/commands` leakage.
- Re-ran the runtime test suite cleanly.

## Task Commits

Each task was completed in the working tree without atomic git commits in this session.

1. **Task 1: Isolate environment-dependent regression coverage** - `(uncommitted)`
2. **Task 2: Add focused topic-start regression module** - `(uncommitted)`

**Plan metadata:** `(retroactive summary)`

## Files Created/Modified
- `research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_topic_start_regressions.py` - source-backed topic-start regressions
- `research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_aitp_service.py` - environment-isolated migration regression

## Decisions Made
- Full-suite verification should not depend on the operator's real home-directory state.

## Deviations from Plan

None - plan executed exactly as written.

## Issues Encountered

None

## User Setup Required

None - no external service configuration required.

## Next Phase Readiness

- Steering/checkpoint durability can now build on stable runtime and test surfaces.

---
*Phase: 01-topic-start-hardening*
*Completed: 2026-03-31*
