| name | phase-task-verification |
| description | Shared branch creation and verification logic for sequential and parallel task execution - handles git operations, HEAD verification, and MODE-specific behavior |
Phase Task Verification
When to Use
Invoked by sequential-phase-task and parallel-phase-task after task implementation to create and verify git-spice branch.
Parameters
- RUN_ID: 6-char run ID (e.g., "8c8505")
- TASK_ID: Phase-task (e.g., "1-1")
- TASK_NAME: Short name (e.g., "create-verification-skill")
- COMMIT_MESSAGE: Full commit message
- MODE: "sequential" or "parallel"
The Process
Step 1: Stage and create branch
git add .
gs branch create {RUN_ID}-task-{TASK_ID}-{TASK_NAME} -m "{COMMIT_MESSAGE}"
Step 2: Verify based on MODE
MODE: sequential - Verify HEAD points to expected branch:
CURRENT=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
EXPECTED="{RUN_ID}-task-{TASK_ID}-{TASK_NAME}"
[ "$CURRENT" = "$EXPECTED" ] || { echo "ERROR: HEAD=$CURRENT, expected $EXPECTED"; exit 1; }
MODE: parallel - Detach HEAD (makes branch accessible in parent repo):
git switch --detach
CURRENT=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
[ "$CURRENT" = "HEAD" ] || { echo "ERROR: HEAD not detached ($CURRENT)"; exit 1; }
Rationalization Table
| Rationalization | Why It's Wrong |
|---|---|
| "Verification is optional" | Silent failures lose work |
| "Skip detach in parallel mode" | Breaks worktree cleanup |
| "Branch create errors are obvious" | Silent failures aren't detected until cleanup fails |
| "Detach can happen later" | Cleanup runs in parent repo - branch must be accessible |
| "HEAD verification adds overhead" | <100ms cost prevents hours of lost work debugging |
Error Handling
git add fails:
- No changes to stage: Error is expected - task implementation failed or incomplete
- Check if task was actually implemented
- Verify files were modified in expected locations
- Do NOT continue with branch creation
- Permission issues: Git repository permissions corrupted
- Check file ownership:
ls -la .git - Verify worktree is accessible
- Escalate to orchestrator
- Check file ownership:
gs branch create fails:
- Duplicate branch name: Branch already exists
- Check existing branches:
git branch | grep {RUN_ID}-task-{TASK_ID} - Verify task wasn't already completed
- May indicate resume scenario - escalate to orchestrator
- Check existing branches:
- Git-spice errors: Repository state issues
- Run
gs repo syncto fix state - Verify git-spice initialized:
gs ls - Check for uncommitted changes blocking operation
- Run
- Invalid branch name: Name contains invalid characters
- Verify RUN_ID is 6-char alphanumeric
- Verify TASK_NAME contains only alphanumeric + hyphens
- Do NOT sanitize - escalate to orchestrator (indicates data corruption)
HEAD verification fails (sequential mode):
- Expected:
gs branch createshould checkout new branch automatically - Actual: Still on previous branch or detached HEAD
- Indicates git-spice behavior change or bug
- Do NOT continue - task is not properly staged
- Escalate to orchestrator with exact HEAD state
HEAD verification fails (parallel mode):
- Expected:
git switch --detachshould detach HEAD - Actual: Still on branch after detach command
- Indicates git version issue or repository corruption
- Do NOT continue - cleanup will fail to access branch
- Escalate to orchestrator with git version:
git --version