In 2026, Atlas helps Perl developers turn a wall of red `prove (Test2::V0)` test output into a prioritized list of distinct root causes by leveraging its `bash`, `grep`, `todowrite`, and `edit` tools to streamline the triage process, ensuring efficient and controlled fixes.
How to run Perl test suites with Atlas and `prove (Test2::V0)`
Atlas's `bash` tool in 2026 provides a robust way to execute your Perl test suite, specifically `prove (Test2::V0)`, ensuring that even lengthy outputs are fully captured. It truncates terminal output at 2000 lines or 50 KB, but always saves the complete log to a retained file for comprehensive analysis.
When running your Perl test suite, Atlas uses its `bash` tool to execute the `prove (Test2::V0)` command, such as `atlas bash "prove -lr t/"`. This command runs all tests under your `t/` directory, providing detailed TAP output. A key feature for Perl developers is Atlas's ability to handle extensive test output. While the terminal display is truncated at 2000 lines or 50 KB to maintain readability, Atlas always writes the complete `prove` log to a retained file. This ensures that you have access to the entire output, regardless of its size, allowing for thorough investigation of all test failures without lossy tails. You can then use `atlas read` to view the full log file path indicated in the `...output truncated...` header.
How Atlas helps triage Perl test failures by root cause
Triage Perl test failures effectively in 2026 by grouping distinct root causes rather than individual test names, a method far more efficient than sifting through raw `prove` output. Atlas's `grep` tool allows you to search the complete test log, identifying patterns that indicate underlying issues.
After running your Perl test suite with `prove (Test2::V0)` via Atlas's `bash` tool, the next step is to triage the failures. Instead of addressing each failing test individually, Atlas encourages grouping failures by their distinct root causes. This approach is significantly more productive for complex Perl codebases. You can use Atlas's `grep` tool to search the complete, saved test log for recurring error messages or stack traces. For example, `atlas grep "Failed to connect to database" <path/to/full_log.txt>` can quickly identify all tests impacted by a specific database issue. Once distinct root causes are identified, Atlas's `todowrite` tool allows you to record one entry per unique cause, with a `pending` status, creating a prioritized list of fixes that are tracked and not forgotten.
How Atlas supports iterative fixing and code review for Perl
Atlas streamlines the iterative fixing of Perl test failures, allowing developers to address issues one at a time and re-run only affected tests. In 2026, Atlas ensures code quality by integrating `perltidy` for formatting and providing robust safety mechanisms like unified diffs and permission prompts before any changes are committed.
Atlas facilitates an efficient iterative fixing workflow for Perl developers. Once a distinct root cause is identified and recorded, you can use `atlas edit` to modify the relevant Perl module, such as `lib/My/Module.pm`. After making changes, you can re-run only the affected tests using `atlas bash "prove -lr t/My/Module.t"`, significantly speeding up the feedback loop. To maintain code consistency, Atlas can also run `perltidy` on your changed files, ensuring the diff matches your `.perltidyrc` configuration. Every edit, including those from `perltidy`, results in a unified diff that Atlas surfaces for your approval. This, combined with permission-gated tool calls and the ability to snapshot file changes as git patches, provides a secure and transparent environment for modifying your Perl codebase.
Atlas safety and transparency features for Perl development
Atlas provides unparalleled safety and transparency for Perl development, ensuring that every action is permission-gated and fully auditable. In 2026, Atlas drafts a read-only plan before executing any changes, and presents a unified diff for approval, giving Perl developers complete control over their codebase.
Atlas is built with developer control and safety at its core, especially crucial for managing complex Perl projects. Before any tool call, such as running `prove` or `perltidy`, Atlas consults permission-gated rules (allow, ask, deny), ensuring no action is taken without explicit consent. When proposing code changes, Atlas first drafts a plan in a read-only plan agent, which you can review before it switches to a build agent. For every file edit, Atlas computes a unified diff and surfaces it for your approval, allowing you to inspect and confirm changes before they are written to disk. Atlas also reads git branches, status, and diffs, and can stage and create commits on your behalf, with all file changes snapshotted as git patches for easy diffing and rollback. This comprehensive safety framework ensures that your Perl codebase remains secure and under your complete control.
Step by step
- 01Run the Perl test suite with Atlas's `bash` tool, providing a generous timeout to prevent premature termination: `atlas bash "prove -lr t/ --timer --timeout 300000"`.
- 02If the `prove` output was truncated in the terminal, read the complete log file path indicated in the `...output truncated...` header using `atlas read <path/to/full_log.txt>`.
- 03Group the Perl test failures by distinct root cause using Atlas's `grep` tool over the saved log, rather than by individual test names: `atlas grep "Failed to connect" <path/to/full_log.txt>`.
- 04Record one `todowrite` entry for each distinct root cause identified, setting its status to `pending`, to track fixes instead of forgetting them: `atlas todowrite "Fix database connection error in My::Module" --status pending`.
- 05Fix the identified Perl issues one at a time using Atlas's `edit` tool, re-running only the affected `prove` tests via `atlas bash` between changes: `atlas edit lib/My/Module.pm` followed by `atlas bash "prove -lr t/My/Module.t"`.
- 06Before committing, ensure your Perl code adheres to formatting standards by having Atlas run `perltidy` on the changed files: `atlas bash "perltidy lib/My/Module.pm"`.
- 07Review the unified diff presented by Atlas for all proposed changes, including those from `perltidy`, and approve them before writing to disk.
- 08Allow Atlas to stage and create a commit for your resolved Perl test failures, leveraging its git integration.
Frequently asked questions
- How does Atlas handle large Perl test suite outputs?
- Atlas's `bash` tool truncates terminal output for large Perl test suites run with `prove (Test2::V0)` at 2000 lines or 50 KB, but always writes the complete log to a retained file. You can then use `atlas read` to view the full output for comprehensive analysis.
- Can Atlas help me format my Perl code after fixing tests?
- Yes, Atlas can run `perltidy` on your changed Perl files. After making edits with `atlas edit`, you can instruct Atlas to execute `atlas bash "perltidy lib/My/Module.pm"` to ensure your code adheres to your `.perltidyrc` standards before committing.
- How does Atlas ensure I don't accidentally break my Perl codebase?
- Atlas provides robust safety features for Perl development. Every tool call is permission-gated, requiring your approval. It drafts a read-only plan, computes a unified diff for every file edit, and surfaces it for approval before writing, giving you full control.
- How does Atlas identify distinct root causes in Perl test failures?
- Atlas helps you identify distinct root causes by enabling you to `grep` over the complete Perl test log, saved from `prove (Test2::V0)` output. This allows you to find recurring error patterns, which you then record as `todowrite` entries for prioritized fixing.
- Does Atlas integrate with Perl's package management?
- Yes, Atlas is designed to work within Perl distributions using `cpanfile` or `Makefile.PL`. It can read your packages, `@EXPORT` lists, and modules pulled in by `cpanm`, providing context for its code indexing and assistance.
- Can Atlas help me write new `Test2::V0` test cases?
- Yes, Atlas can assist in writing new `Test2::V0` test cases under your `t/` directory. It leverages its understanding of your Perl codebase to suggest relevant tests and can even add `use strict` and `use warnings` to legacy scripts.
- How does Atlas handle re-running specific Perl tests after a fix?
- After using `atlas edit` to fix a Perl issue, you can re-run only the affected tests by using `atlas bash "prove -lr t/My/Module.t"`. This allows for rapid iteration and verification without running the entire suite.
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