Proposal: Building a Test Chat and Bug Scrub Facilitator Plugin

[ozgursar]

Hi everyone,

I recently proposed this idea in one of the comments of an earlier issue or PR about building a plugin for helping the facilitator of weekly Test Chat and Bug Scrub sessions.

It will be based on our handbook guidelines and will mainly help with:

• Standardize the #test-chat slack session conversations,
• Reduce the time spent writing the Make WordPress agenda and test chat summary posts at https://make.wordpress.org/test,
• Reduce human errors by providing text templates and placeholders.

Before starting any coding, I would like to listen to your thoughts about this tool for brainstorming.

Thank you.

[juanmaguitar]

@ozgursar could you provide some examples of how this plugin would work to facilitate Test Chat and Bug Scrub sessions?

[juanmaguitar]

We could also explore creating an AI Agent skill for this

[ozgursar]

@juanmaguitar, I'm thinking of a solution where we enter the variables into a form and it generates line by line what to copy based on the boilerplate text we have for that particular session. Facilitator of that session than can easily follow and paste the next line with minimal amount of edit.

I don't have a clear way of implementing in my mind yet. I'll have a better understanding after working on it next week.

Creating an AI Agent skill for this can definitely be explored.

[ozgursar]

Hi everyone,

I've created a basic plugin, named TestFlow, that currently facilitates Patch Testing Scrub and Test Chat based on the Test Handbook Guides. Currently, it doesn't have any AI Agent skills features or integrations with other services.

Test it here with Playground.

Download it as a plugin or view the code on GitHub.

Main features are:

• Easy to start/pause timer that turns red after 50:00 and makes a chime voice after 55:00.
• Messages are not hardcoded into PHP. Can be changed within the json files. (I can build an editor later for this)
• In scrub session, users list and tickets lists are very easy to update. No refresh required.
• Users can be assigned multiple tickets and messages are automatically copied to clipboard as soon as you assign.
• Sessions are clearly divided into sections based on the exact guides on the handbook.
• If you accidentally navigate away from the session page or refresh, users, tickets and everything else is persisted.

Screenshots:

• Overflow page:

• Scrub session page:

• Test Chat session page:

Videos:

• How to use:
  https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/547657d2-4ac1-4fbd-afd9-a2baa1a1c230

• Messages are held in JSON and easy to change (currently within code and needs a dashboard editor):
  https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e9ec986e-3bfb-40a1-8d38-7a2bfac30237

[huzaifaalmesbah]

This looks really helpful, and I think the idea is great.

One thought: instead of a WordPress plugin, it might be better as a simple standalone website hosted on GitHub Pages, Vercel, Netlify, or another free platform. If it's a plugin, every facilitator needs access to a WordPress site and has to install/update it. With a website, everyone can use the same tool from a single URL with no setup required.

The current plugin could still serve as a great prototype, but a web-based tool may make adoption and maintenance much easier for the team.

Great work so far!

[ozgursar]

@huzaifaalmesbah thanks for sharing your comments. GitHub pages, Netlify or other free platforms allow static hosting and we can't run a WordPress plugin on them. I could have built it with React.js, but I prefer working with plugins.

People still don't need a paid hosting to use the plugin. It can be directly used through Playground.

It doesn't need to persist any data. So, Playground is a perfect fit one time use during the session. It can also be run on the https://my.wordpress.net/. Participants list, tickets / issues list and timer are kept in localStorage of the browser.

Another option might be installing it to https://make.wordpress.org/test or use it only for distribution.

[nikunj8866]

In my opinion, a plugin is the better approach here rather than a website. It keeps everything within the WordPress ecosystem and is easier for the team to maintain and use.

A couple of suggestions to build on this:

• We could document the plugin's details on the Test Chat Moderator Guide handbook page, so facilitators have a clear reference.
• We could also add a live preview link, so clicking a button opens WordPress Playground with the plugin already installed - letting people try it instantly. Created issue here: Add a Live Preview (Playground blueprint) link for the plugin ozgursar/testflow#1

[ozgursar]

@nikunj8866 I already implemented the direct Playground access with plugin already installed and automatically redirected. Did you try the link below? Do we need a blueprint for this?

Test it here with Playground.

[nikunj8866]

Thanks @ozgursar, that's great - I just tried the link and it works perfectly, loading straight into the plugin. 🎉

You're right that a blueprint isn't needed for this direct-from-repo Playground link. The blueprint would only come into play if we plan to publish the plugin on wp.org - in that case the "Live Preview" button on the plugin directory listing relies on a blueprint.json. So:

• If we keep loading it directly from the repo link (like above), no blueprint needed.
• If we plan to upload it to wp.org, we'd want to add the blueprint so the Live Preview works on the plugin page.

Either way works for me - it mainly depends on whether we intend to list it on .org.

[ozgursar]

Hi @nikunj8866,
I think we should upload it to the wp.org so that it doesn't stay in my private account and can be maintained by the community.
That way, "Live Preview" can also be implemented as you've suggested.

I can also check the plugin with the Plugin Check and do any revisions if necessary.