Step 0: Query Kodex

Query project knowledge for error handling and logic patterns.

Topic Inference (Pseudocode Focus)

From work item context, build candidates:

• {item-keyword}-error-handling
• {item-keyword}-logic
• error-patterns
• validation-patterns

Example

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__kodex_query_topic
Args: { "project": "<cwd>", "name": "error-patterns" }

Display found topics as context before writing pseudocode.

Phase 2: Pseudocode

Define the logic flow for each function.

What to Produce

1. Logic flow - Step-by-step description of what each function does
2. Error handling approach - How errors are caught, propagated, reported
3. Edge cases - Boundary conditions and how they're handled
4. Dependencies - External services, databases, APIs called

Process

For each function from the Interface phase:

1. Write plain-language pseudocode
2. Identify error conditions
3. List edge cases
4. Note any external calls

Output Format

Create per-item pseudocode documents instead of adding to design.md:

For each work item N, create pseudocode-item-N.md:

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__create_document
Args: {
  "project": "<cwd>",
  "session": "<session>",
  "name": "pseudocode-item-N",
  "content": "<pseudocode content for item N>"
}

Document structure:

# Pseudocode: Item N - [Title]

### AuthService.authenticate(email, password)

1. Validate email format

   • If invalid: return { success: false, error: "Invalid email format" }

2. Look up user by email in database

   • If not found: return { success: false, error: "User not found" }

3. Verify password hash

   • If mismatch: return { success: false, error: "Invalid password" }
   • Rate limit: after 5 failures, lock account for 15 minutes

4. Generate JWT token

   • Include: user.id, user.role, expiry (1 hour)

5. Store token in Redis with TTL

   • Key: "token:{tokenId}", Value: user.id

6. Return { success: true, user, token }

**Error Handling:**
- Database errors: Log and return generic "Authentication failed"
- Redis errors: Fall back to stateless JWT (no revocation support)

**Edge Cases:**
- Empty password: Reject before hashing
- Expired account: Check `user.expiresAt` before authenticating
- Concurrent logins: Allow (no session limit)

Verification Gate

Before moving to Phase 3, run verification:

./hooks/verify-phase.sh pseudocode <collab-name>

Checklist:

• Every function from Interface has pseudocode
• Error handling is explicit for each function
• Edge cases are identified
• External dependencies are noted

GATE: Do NOT proceed until this checklist passes.

If Pseudocode phase doesn't apply (e.g., no logic to describe, pure data changes):

1. Document explicitly: "N/A - [reason why pseudocode phase doesn't apply]"
2. Add this to the design doc Pseudocode section
3. You still MUST proceed through skeleton and executing-plans
4. Skipping to implementation is NEVER allowed

Update state on success:

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__update_session_state
Args: { "project": "<cwd>", "session": "<name>", "phase": "rough-draft/skeleton" }

Note: lastActivity is automatically updated by the MCP tool.

Completion

At the end of this skill's work, call complete_skill:

Tool: mcp__plugin_mermaid-collab_mermaid__complete_skill
Args: { "project": "<cwd>", "session": "<session>", "skill": "rough-draft-pseudocode" }

Handle response:

• If action == "clear": Invoke skill: collab-clear
• If next_skill is not null: Invoke that skill
• If next_skill is null: Workflow complete