TDD in Action with AI: From Fundamentals to Production
What you'll learn
- Build real-world applications from scratch using Test-Driven Development (TDD)
- Write fast, deterministic, and isolated unit tests that act as both living documentation and a safety net for refactoring
- Design and test RESTful APIs using the Outside-In TDD methodology
- Use AI tools to enhance your development workflow and boost productivity — without sacrificing control
- Master the core principles and techniques of TDD, and apply them confidently in production code
Requirements
- No prior experience with TDD is required.
- A basic understanding of Kotlin, Spock, and Spring Boot is helpful, but not mandatory. The course focuses on core testing principles and development methodologies, using these technologies as a medium — not the main subject. You’ll pick up what you need along the way.
Description
Test-Driven Development in Action with AI — Nikos Voulgaris.
Apply Test-Driven Development in real-world software, integrate AI tools into your workflow, and elevate your professional skills.
Does Test-Driven Development sound fun and promising, but feel limited to toy examples like Tic-Tac-Toe or FizzBuzz?
I've been there. It was frustrating to see such a powerful technique presented in ways that felt disconnected from the complexities of real-world software. That's why I created this course — to help software engineers confidently apply TDD in production codebases, and discover its full potential beyond the basics.
In this course, I share the hard-earned lessons from my own journey mastering TDD — distilled into a practical, structured, and accessible format. You'll learn how to build maintainable systems from the ground up, and how to integrate AI tools into your development workflow to move faster without sacrificing control or the benefits of TDD.
By the end of the course, my goal is for you to walk away with real-world, hands-on skills, a deeper understanding of TDD — and hopefully, to have enjoyed the ride.
What You'll Build
Throughout the course, we’ll build a task manager application that exposes a RESTful API. Users will be able to register, create tasks, update task statuses, and retrieve their tasks.
We’ll follow the principles of hexagonal architecture — not dogmatically, but by letting it emerge naturally through our TDD process. To keep things simple, we’ll use in-memory persistence.
Technologies used: Spring Boot, Kotlin, and Spock. No prior in-depth knowledge of these tools is required. The focus isn’t on specific technologies — it’s on mastering the methodology, mindset, and discipline of Test-Driven Development.
You’ll also learn how to thoughtfully integrate AI tools to support (not replace) your decision-making and enhance your TDD workflow.
Why Learn From Me?
I'm a software engineer with over 12 years of professional experience. I started exploring TDD around a decade ago, and have been using it extensively in production for the past 8 years. Along the way, I've helped dozens of engineers adopt TDD through in-person coaching, pair programming, and online workshops.
I know the pitfalls, the resistance, the confusion — and the "aha" moments that make it all click. I created this course to pass those insights on to you.
Who this course is for:
- Software engineers who understand TDD basics but struggle to apply it in real-world projects
- Junior developers who want to learn how to build maintainable applications from scratch using Test-Driven Development
- Mid-level engineers aiming to level up their skills and take a more structured, professional approach to development
- Senior engineers who want to incorporate TDD into their toolkit and lead by example in their teams
- TDD enthusiasts who enjoy exploring advanced use cases, nuanced trade-offs, and deeper insights into the methodology
Instructor
I'm a professional software engineer with over 12 years of industry experience. I'm passionate about clean code, software craftsmanship, and building systems that are both elegant and maintainable. I believe strongly in the power of global developer communities, which is why I enjoy sharing knowledge and learning from others.
Teaching on Udemy is my way of giving back to the community that has taught me so much over the years. I strive to teach the way I’ve always wanted to be taught — in a value-driven, practical, and real-world applicable manner.
Over the course of my career, I’ve held roles ranging from Staff Software Engineer to Engineering Manager, working across companies of all sizes — from global organizations like Nokia, to tech-driven scale-ups like Blueground, and fast-paced startups. My work has spanned diverse domains including telecommunications (4G networks), travel, healthcare, and real estate.
Beyond software, I enjoy traveling, experiencing different cultures, reading (especially beyond tech), exploring the world of wine, and more recently, photography.
I occasionally share my thoughts and experiences on software on my personal blog.
Feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to connect.