[Jensson]

Using SSH to get the project files is not a good example of a hard to learn skill they need for the job, they should just have provided a zip on a web page or so or sent it directly to the user.

So to me it seems most of the test was just "have you done these trivial things before" rather than test if they can program web apps.

It would be like the carpenter being forced to buy nails and docking them points for now knowing where the closest shop to buy nails in are and taking time to look that up. Of course it is better if some look it up quicker, but its not a core part of the job. Then when they drove there, you gave them a manual stick car, so the ones who were used to automatic fumbled around in the car, also bad look! So now you see carpenters who drove manual were much better, as your biases told you! That is not really the skill you should care about, it is very quick to tell him where it is.

[kelnos]

I don't think your analogy is apt. Having your development environment set up and knowing how to use your tools reasonably efficiently seems like it should be a low bar to pass. We're not talking about giving someone unfamiliar tools or an unfamiliar vehicle and expecting them to perform higher level tasks. We're just watching people use their existing tools to see if they're actually familiar and comfortable with them.

[BoiledCabbage]

OP's post was "having custom themes" "bias against people using windows".

These aren't tests if a user can si their job or knows their tools. This is a cultural purity test to see if they have the same quirks as OP. And is a terrible way to judge if someone will perform.