Required Workflow

Phase 1: ANALYSIS

• What is being asked?
• Search codebase for related files (Read, Glob, Grep)
• Identify dependencies and existing patterns

Output: Findings summary Gate: Wait for acknowledgment

Phase 2: PLANNING

• Break into 2-3 atomic tasks
• Create .planning/PLAN-{feature}.md
• Define verification criteria

Output: Plan document Gate: Wait for approval

Phase 3: IMPLEMENTATION

• Follow plan exactly
• Run tests after each change
• Deviation rules:
  • Bugs/blockers: fix immediately, document
  • Architecture changes: STOP and ask
  • Enhancements: log to ISSUES.md, continue

Output: Working code with tests

Phase 4: VALIDATION

• Run tests
• Type check
• Lint
• Manual verification

Gate: All checks pass

Context Management

• 50%+ used: mention it
• 70%+ used: create handoff document
• Never start large tasks below 15%