Agent skill
discovering-requirements
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/other/other/discovering-requirements
SKILL.md
<prompt_enhancement_prelude>
Invisible Prompt Enhancement
Before executing main skill logic, apply automatic prompt enhancement to user's request.
Step 1: Check Configuration
Read .loa.config.yaml invisible_mode setting:
prompt_enhancement:
invisible_mode:
enabled: true|false
If prompt_enhancement.invisible_mode.enabled: false (or not set), skip to main skill logic with original prompt.
Step 2: Check Command Opt-Out
If this command's frontmatter specifies enhance: false, skip enhancement.
Step 3: Analyze Prompt Quality (PTCF Framework)
Analyze the user's prompt for PTCF components:
| Component | Detection Patterns | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Persona | "act as", "you are", "as a", "pretend", "assume the role" | 2 |
| Task | create, review, analyze, fix, summarize, write, debug, refactor, build, implement, design | 3 |
| Context | @mentions, file references (.ts, .js, .py), "given that", "based on", "from the", "in the" | 3 |
| Format | "as bullets", "in JSON", "formatted as", "limit to", "step by step", "as a table" | 2 |
Calculate score (0-10):
- Task verb present: +3
- Context present: +3
- Format specified: +2
- Persona defined: +2
Step 4: Enhance If Needed
If score < prompt_enhancement.auto_enhance_threshold (default 4):
- Classify task type: debugging, code_review, refactoring, summarization, research, generation, general
- Load template from
.claude/skills/enhancing-prompts/resources/templates/{task_type}.yaml - Apply template:
- Prepend persona if missing
- Append format if missing
- Add constraints
- PRESERVE original text completely
Step 5: Log to Trajectory (Silent)
Write to grimoires/loa/a2a/trajectory/prompt-enhancement-{date}.jsonl:
{
"type": "prompt_enhancement",
"timestamp": "ISO8601",
"command": "plan-and-analyze",
"action": "ENHANCED|SKIP|DISABLED|OPT_OUT|ERROR",
"original_score": N,
"enhanced_score": N,
"components_added": ["persona", "format"],
"task_type": "generation",
"latency_ms": N
}
Step 6: Continue with Prompt
Use the (potentially enhanced) prompt for main skill execution.
CRITICAL: Never show enhancement output to user. All analysis is internal only.
Error Handling
On ANY error during enhancement:
- Log
action: "ERROR"to trajectory - Use original prompt unchanged (silent passthrough)
- Continue with main skill execution </prompt_enhancement_prelude>
Discovering Requirements
<zone_constraints>
Zone Constraints
This skill operates under Managed Scaffolding:
| Zone | Permission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
.claude/ |
NONE | System zone - never suggest edits |
grimoires/loa/, .beads/ |
Read/Write | State zone - project memory |
src/, lib/, app/ |
Read-only | App zone - requires user confirmation |
NEVER suggest modifications to .claude/. Direct users to .claude/overrides/ or .loa.config.yaml.
</zone_constraints>
<integrity_precheck>
Integrity Pre-Check (MANDATORY)
Before ANY operation, verify System Zone integrity:
- Check config:
yq eval '.integrity_enforcement' .loa.config.yaml - If
strictand drift detected -> HALT and report - If
warn-> Log warning and proceed with caution </integrity_precheck>
<factual_grounding>
Factual Grounding (MANDATORY)
Before ANY synthesis, planning, or recommendation:
- Extract quotes: Pull word-for-word text from source files
- Cite explicitly:
"[exact quote]" (file.md:L45) - Flag assumptions: Prefix ungrounded claims with
[ASSUMPTION]
Grounded Example:
The SDD specifies "PostgreSQL 15 with pgvector extension" (sdd.md:L123)
Ungrounded Example:
[ASSUMPTION] The database likely needs connection pooling
</factual_grounding>
<structured_memory_protocol>
Structured Memory Protocol
On Session Start
- Read
grimoires/loa/NOTES.md - Restore context from "Session Continuity" section
- Check for resolved blockers
During Execution
- Log decisions to "Decision Log"
- Add discovered issues to "Technical Debt"
- Update sub-goal status
- Apply Tool Result Clearing after each tool-heavy operation
Before Compaction / Session End
- Summarize session in "Session Continuity"
- Ensure all blockers documented
- Verify all raw tool outputs have been decayed </structured_memory_protocol>
<tool_result_clearing>
Tool Result Clearing
After tool-heavy operations (grep, cat, tree, API calls):
- Synthesize: Extract key info to NOTES.md or discovery/
- Summarize: Replace raw output with one-line summary
- Clear: Release raw data from active reasoning
Example:
# Raw grep: 500 tokens -> After decay: 30 tokens
"Found 47 AuthService refs across 12 files. Key locations in NOTES.md."
</tool_result_clearing>
<attention_budget>
Attention Budget
This skill follows the Tool Result Clearing Protocol (.claude/protocols/tool-result-clearing.md).
Token Thresholds
| Context Type | Limit | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Single search result | 2,000 tokens | Apply 4-step clearing |
| Accumulated results | 5,000 tokens | MANDATORY clearing |
| Full file load | 3,000 tokens | Single file, synthesize immediately |
| Session total | 15,000 tokens | STOP, synthesize to NOTES.md |
Clearing Triggers for Discovery
- Document search returning >10 files
- Code analysis returning >20 matches
- Any API/tool output >2K tokens
4-Step Clearing
- Extract: Max 10 files, 20 words per finding
- Synthesize: Write to
grimoires/loa/NOTES.md - Clear: Remove raw output from context
- Summary:
"Discovery: N sources → M requirements → NOTES.md"</attention_budget>
<trajectory_logging>
Trajectory Logging
Log each significant step to grimoires/loa/a2a/trajectory/{agent}-{date}.jsonl:
{"timestamp": "...", "agent": "...", "action": "...", "reasoning": "...", "grounding": {...}}
</trajectory_logging>
<kernel_framework>
Task
Produce comprehensive PRD by:
- Ingesting all context from
grimoires/loa/context/ - Mapping existing information to 7 discovery phases
- Conducting targeted interviews for gaps only
- Generating PRD with full traceability to sources
Context
- Input:
grimoires/loa/context/*.md(optional), developer interview - Output:
grimoires/loa/prd.md - Integration:
grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md(if exists)
Constraints
- DO NOT ask questions answerable from provided context
- DO cite sources:
> From vision.md:12: "exact quote" - DO present understanding for confirmation before proceeding
- DO ask for clarification on contradictions, not assumptions
- DO limit questions to 2-3 per phase maximum
Verification
PRD traces every requirement to either:
- Source document (file:line citation)
- Interview response (phase:question reference) </kernel_framework>
<codebase_grounding>
Phase -0.5: Codebase Grounding (Brownfield Only)
Purpose: Ground PRD creation in codebase reality to prevent hallucinated requirements.
Configuration
Read configuration from .loa.config.yaml (with defaults):
# Check if codebase grounding is enabled (default: true)
enabled=$(yq eval '.plan_and_analyze.codebase_grounding.enabled // true' .loa.config.yaml 2>/dev/null || echo "true")
# Get staleness threshold in days (default: 7)
staleness_days=$(yq eval '.plan_and_analyze.codebase_grounding.reality_staleness_days // 7' .loa.config.yaml 2>/dev/null || echo "7")
# Get /ride timeout in minutes (default: 20)
timeout_minutes=$(yq eval '.plan_and_analyze.codebase_grounding.ride_timeout_minutes // 20' .loa.config.yaml 2>/dev/null || echo "20")
# Get skip-on-error behavior (default: false)
skip_on_error=$(yq eval '.plan_and_analyze.codebase_grounding.skip_on_ride_error // false' .loa.config.yaml 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
If enabled: false, skip Phase -0.5 entirely (equivalent to GREENFIELD behavior).
Decision Tree
When /plan-and-analyze runs, check the codebase_detection pre-flight result:
IF config.enabled == false:
→ Skip to Phase -1 (feature disabled)
→ Do NOT mention codebase grounding to user
ELSE IF codebase_detection.type == "GREENFIELD":
→ Skip to Phase -1 (no codebase to analyze)
→ Do NOT mention codebase grounding to user
ELSE IF codebase_detection.type == "BROWNFIELD":
IF codebase_detection.reality_exists == true:
IF codebase_detection.reality_age_days < config.staleness_days:
→ Use cached reality (no /ride needed)
→ Show: "Using recent codebase analysis (N days old)"
ELSE IF --fresh flag provided:
→ Run /ride regardless of cache
ELSE:
→ Prompt user with AskUserQuestion:
- "Re-run /ride for fresh analysis (recommended)"
- "Proceed with existing analysis (faster)"
ELSE:
→ Run /ride (Phase -0.5)
→ Show progress: "Analyzing codebase structure..."
Running /ride
Invoke the ride skill (NOT the command) for codebase analysis:
CODEBASE GROUNDING PHASE
Analyzing your existing codebase to ground PRD requirements in reality.
This typically takes 5-15 minutes depending on codebase size.
Progress:
- [ ] Extracting component inventory
- [ ] Analyzing architecture patterns
- [ ] Identifying existing requirements
- [ ] Building consistency report
/ride Execution
Use the Skill tool to invoke ride:
Skill: ride
This will produce:
grimoires/loa/reality/extracted-prd.mdgrimoires/loa/reality/extracted-sdd.mdgrimoires/loa/reality/component-inventory.mdgrimoires/loa/consistency-report.md
Error Recovery
If /ride fails or times out:
-
Capture error in NOTES.md Decision Log:
markdown| Date | Decision | Rationale | Source | |------|----------|-----------|--------| | YYYY-MM-DD | /ride failed during codebase grounding | [error message] | Phase -0.5 | -
Check config for auto-skip:
bashskip_on_error=$(yq eval '.plan_and_analyze.codebase_grounding.skip_on_ride_error // false' .loa.config.yaml)If
skip_on_error: true, automatically skip to Phase -1 with warning. -
Otherwise prompt user with AskUserQuestion:
yamlquestions: - question: "/ride analysis failed. How would you like to proceed?" header: "Recovery" options: - label: "Retry /ride analysis" description: "Re-run codebase analysis (recommended)" - label: "Skip codebase grounding" description: "Proceed without code-based requirements (not recommended)" - label: "Abort" description: "Cancel /plan-and-analyze entirely" multiSelect: false -
Handle user response:
If "Retry":
- Re-run /ride with fresh attempt
- If fails again, return to step 3 (max 2 retries)
If "Skip":
- Log warning to NOTES.md blockers:
markdown
- [ ] [BLOCKER] PRD created without codebase grounding - /ride failed: [error] - Proceed to Phase -1 without reality context
- Add warning banner to generated PRD:
markdown
> ⚠️ **WARNING**: This PRD was created without codebase grounding. > Run `/ride` and `/plan-and-analyze --fresh` for accurate requirements.
If "Abort":
- Log abort decision to trajectory
- Exit cleanly with message: "Aborting /plan-and-analyze. Run /ride manually and retry."
-
Preserve partial results if available:
- If /ride produced any output files before failing, keep them
- Use whatever reality context exists for Phase 0
Timeout Handling
Default timeout: 20 minutes (configurable in .loa.config.yaml)
plan_and_analyze:
codebase_grounding:
ride_timeout_minutes: 20
Greenfield Fast Path
For GREENFIELD projects:
- No progress message about codebase
- No delay
- Proceed directly to Phase -1
- Log detection result to trajectory only (not shown to user) </codebase_grounding>
Run context assessment:
./.claude/scripts/assess-discovery-context.sh
| Result | Strategy |
|---|---|
NO_CONTEXT_DIR |
Create directory, offer guidance, proceed to full interview |
EMPTY |
Proceed to full 7-phase interview |
SMALL (<500 lines) |
Sequential ingestion, then targeted interview |
MEDIUM (500-2000) |
Sequential ingestion, then targeted interview |
LARGE (>2000) |
Parallel subagent ingestion, then targeted interview |
Phase 0: Context Synthesis
Context Priority Order
Load and synthesize context in priority order:
| Priority | Source | Citation Format | Trust Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | grimoires/loa/reality/ |
[CODE:file:line] |
Highest (code is truth) |
| 2 | grimoires/loa/context/ |
> From file.md:line |
High (user-provided) |
| 3 | Interview responses | (Phase N QN) |
Standard |
Conflict Resolution: When reality contradicts context:
- Reality wins (code is authoritative)
- Flag the conflict for user: "Note: [context claim] differs from codebase reality [CODE:file:line]"
Step 0: Present Codebase Understanding (Brownfield Only)
If reality files exist (from /ride or cached):
## What I've Learned From Your Codebase
Based on analysis of your existing code:
### Architecture
[CODE:src/index.ts:1-50] Your application uses [pattern] architecture with:
- [list key components with code references]
### Existing Features
From component inventory:
- Feature A [CODE:src/features/a.ts:10-45]
- Feature B [CODE:src/services/b.ts:1-100]
### Current State
From consistency report:
- [summary of code consistency findings]
### Proposed Additions
Based on codebase analysis, the following would integrate well:
- [suggested additions grounded in existing patterns]
---
Step 1: Ingest All Context
Read in priority order:
grimoires/loa/reality/*.md(if exists)grimoires/loa/context/*.md(and subdirectories)
Step 2: Create Context Map
Internally categorize discovered information:
<context_map>
<phase name="problem_vision">
<reality source="extracted-prd.md:10-30">
Implicit problem statement from codebase
</reality>
<found source="vision.md:1-45">
Product vision, mission statement, core problem
</found>
<gap>Success metrics not defined</gap>
</phase>
<phase name="goals_metrics">
<found source="vision.md:47-52">
High-level goals mentioned
</found>
<gap>No quantifiable success criteria</gap>
<gap>Timeline not specified</gap>
</phase>
<phase name="users_stakeholders">
<found source="users.md:1-289">
3 personas defined with jobs-to-be-done
</found>
<ambiguity>Persona priorities unclear - which is primary?</ambiguity>
</phase>
<phase name="functional_requirements">
<reality source="component-inventory.md:1-200">
Existing features extracted from code
</reality>
<found source="requirements.md:1-100">
User-documented requirements
</found>
<conflict>User docs mention feature X, but not found in codebase</conflict>
</phase>
<!-- Continue for all 7 phases -->
</context_map>
Step 3: Present Understanding
For brownfield projects, present codebase understanding FIRST:
## What I've Learned From Your Codebase
I've analyzed your existing codebase (N files, X lines).
### Existing Architecture
[CODE:src/index.ts:1-50] Your application uses [pattern] with:
- Component A [CODE:src/components/a.tsx:10]
- Service B [CODE:src/services/b.ts:1]
### Implemented Features
Based on code analysis:
- User authentication [CODE:src/auth/index.ts:1-100]
- Data persistence [CODE:src/db/client.ts:1-50]
---
## What I've Learned From Your Documentation
I've reviewed N files (X lines) from your context directory.
### Problem & Vision
> From vision.md:12-15: "exact quote from document..."
I understand the core problem is [summary]. The vision is [summary].
### Users & Stakeholders
> From users.md:23-45: "description of personas..."
You've defined N personas: [list with 1-line each].
### Conflicts Noted
- [if any conflicts between reality and context]
### What I Still Need to Understand
1. **Success Metrics**: What quantifiable outcomes define success?
2. **Persona Priority**: Which user persona should we optimize for first?
3. **Timeline**: What are the key milestones and deadlines?
Should I proceed with these clarifying questions, or would you like to
correct my understanding first?
Phase 0.5: Targeted Interview
For each gap/ambiguity identified:
- State what you know (with citation)
- State what's missing or unclear
- Ask focused question (max 2-3 per phase)
Example:
### Goals & Success Metrics
I found high-level goals in vision.md:
> "Achieve product-market fit within 12 months"
However, I didn't find specific success metrics.
**Questions:**
1. What metrics would indicate product-market fit for this product?
2. Are there intermediate milestones (3-month, 6-month)?
Phases 1-7: Conditional Discovery
For each phase, follow this logic:
IF phase fully covered by context:
→ Summarize understanding with citations
→ Ask: "Is this accurate? Any corrections?"
→ Move to next phase
ELSE IF phase partially covered:
→ Summarize what's known (with citations)
→ Ask only about gaps (max 2-3 questions)
→ Move to next phase
ELSE IF phase not covered:
→ Conduct full discovery for this phase
→ Ask 2-3 questions at a time
→ Iterate until complete
Phase 1: Problem & Vision
- Core problem being solved
- Product vision and mission
- Why now? Why you?
Phase 2: Goals & Success Metrics
- Business objectives
- Quantifiable success criteria
- Timeline and milestones
Phase 3: User & Stakeholder Context
- Primary and secondary personas
- User journey and pain points
- Stakeholder requirements
Phase 4: Functional Requirements
- Core features and capabilities
- User stories with acceptance criteria
- Feature prioritization
EARS Notation (Optional)
For high-precision requirements, use EARS notation from
resources/templates/ears-requirements.md:
| Pattern | Format | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Ubiquitous | The system shall [action] |
Always-true requirements |
| Event-Driven | When [trigger], the system shall [action] |
Trigger-based behavior |
| Conditional | If [condition], the system shall [action] |
Precondition-based |
When to use EARS: Security-critical features, regulatory compliance, complex triggers.
Phase 5: Technical & Non-Functional
- Performance requirements
- Security and compliance
- Integration requirements
- Technical constraints
Phase 6: Scope & Prioritization
- MVP definition
- Phase 1 vs future scope
- Out of scope (explicit)
Phase 7: Risks & Dependencies
- Technical risks
- Business risks
- External dependencies
- Mitigation strategies
Phase 8: PRD Generation
Only generate PRD when:
- All 7 phases have sufficient coverage
- All ambiguities resolved
- Developer confirms understanding is accurate
Generate PRD with source tracing:
## 1. Problem Statement
[Content derived from vision.md:12-30 and Phase 1 interview]
> Sources: vision.md:12-15, confirmed in Phase 1 Q2
<parallel_execution>
Large Context Handling (>2000 lines)
If context assessment returns LARGE:
Spawn Parallel Ingestors
Task(subagent_type="Explore", prompt="
CONTEXT INGESTION: Problem & Vision
Read these files: [vision.md, any *vision* or *problem* files]
Extract and summarize:
- Core problem statement
- Product vision
- Mission/purpose
- 'Why now' factors
Return as structured summary with file:line citations.
")
Spawn 4 parallel ingestors:
- Vision Ingestor: Problem, vision, mission
- User Ingestor: Personas, research, journeys
- Requirements Ingestor: Features, stories, specs
- Technical Ingestor: Constraints, stack, integrations
Consolidate
Merge summaries into unified context map before proceeding. </parallel_execution>
<output_format>
PRD structure with source tracing - see resources/templates/prd-template.md
Each section must include:
> **Sources**: vision.md:12-30, users.md:45-67, Phase 3 Q1-Q2
</output_format>
<success_criteria>
- Specific: Every PRD requirement traced to source (file:line, [CODE:file:line], or phase:question)
- Measurable: Questions reduced by 50%+ when context provided
- Achievable: Synthesis completes before any interview questions
- Relevant: Developer confirms understanding before proceeding
- Time-bound: Context synthesis <5 min for SMALL/MEDIUM
- Grounded: Brownfield PRDs cite existing code with [CODE:file:line] format
- Zero Latency: Greenfield projects experience no codebase detection delay </success_criteria>
<uncertainty_protocol>
- If context files contradict each other → Ask developer to clarify
- If context is ambiguous → State interpretation, ask for confirmation
- If context seems outdated → Ask if still accurate
- Never assume → Always cite or ask </uncertainty_protocol>
<grounding_requirements> Every claim about existing context must include citation:
- Format:
> From {filename}:{line}: "exact quote" - Summaries must reference source range:
(vision.md:12-45) - PRD sections must list all sources used </grounding_requirements>
<edge_cases>
| Scenario | Behavior |
|---|---|
| No context directory | Create it, add README.md, proceed to full interview |
| Empty context directory | Note it, proceed to full interview |
| Only README.md exists | Treat as empty, proceed to full interview |
| Contradictory information | List contradictions, ask developer to clarify |
| Outdated information | Ask "Is this still accurate?" before using |
| Very large files (>1000 lines) | Summarize key sections, note full file available |
| Non-markdown files | Note existence, explain can't parse |
| Partial coverage | Conduct mini-interviews for gaps only |
| Developer disagrees with synthesis | Allow corrections, update understanding |
| Reality conflicts with context | Reality wins, flag conflict for user review |
| Stale reality (>7 days) | Prompt user to refresh or proceed with cached |
| /ride failed | Log blocker, proceed without grounding (with warning) |
| Brownfield detected but no reality | Run /ride before Phase -1 |
| Greenfield project | Skip codebase grounding entirely, no message |
| </edge_cases> |
<visual_communication>
Visual Communication (Optional)
Follow .claude/protocols/visual-communication.md for diagram standards.
When to Include Diagrams
PRDs may benefit from visual aids for:
- User Journeys (flowchart) - Show user flows through the product
- Process Flows (flowchart) - Illustrate business processes
- Stakeholder Maps (flowchart) - Show stakeholder relationships
Output Format
If including diagrams, use Mermaid with preview URLs:
### User Registration Journey
```mermaid
graph LR
A[Landing Page] --> B{Has Account?}
B -->|No| C[Sign Up Form]
B -->|Yes| D[Login]
C --> E[Email Verification]
E --> F[Onboarding]
F --> G[Dashboard]
Preview: View diagram
### Theme Configuration
Read theme from `.loa.config.yaml` visual_communication.theme setting.
Diagram inclusion is **optional** for PRDs - use agent discretion based on complexity.
</visual_communication>
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