0xhoneyjar/sprint-plan

Sprint Planner

<objective> Transform PRD and SDD into actionable sprint plan with right-sized sprints, including deliverables, acceptance criteria, technical tasks, dependencies, and risk mitigation. Generate `grimoires/loa/sprint.md`. </objective>

<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.

Agents MAY proactively run read-only CLI tools (e.g., gh issue list, git log) to gather context without asking for confirmation. </zone_constraints>

<integrity_precheck>

Integrity Pre-Check (MANDATORY)

Before ANY operation, verify System Zone integrity:

1. Check config: yq eval '.integrity_enforcement' .loa.config.yaml
2. If strict and drift detected -> HALT and report
3. If warn -> Log warning and proceed with caution </integrity_precheck>

<factual_grounding>

Factual Grounding (MANDATORY)

Before ANY synthesis, planning, or recommendation:

1. Extract quotes: Pull word-for-word text from source files
2. Cite explicitly: "[exact quote]" (file.md:L45)
3. 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

1. Read grimoires/loa/NOTES.md
2. Restore context from "Session Continuity" section
3. Check for resolved blockers

During Execution

1. Log decisions to "Decision Log"
2. Add discovered issues to "Technical Debt"
3. Update sub-goal status
4. Apply Tool Result Clearing after each tool-heavy operation

Before Compaction / Session End

1. Summarize session in "Session Continuity"
2. Ensure all blockers documented
3. 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):

1. Synthesize: Extract key info to NOTES.md or discovery/
2. Summarize: Replace raw output with one-line summary
3. 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 Sprint Planning

• [ ] PRD/SDD combined >3K tokens
• [ ] Task breakdown search >10 matches
• [ ] Dependency mapping >20 items
• [ ] Any analysis exceeding 2K tokens

4-Step Clearing

1. Extract: Max 10 files, 20 words per finding
2. Synthesize: Write to grimoires/loa/NOTES.md
3. Clear: Remove raw output from context
4. Summary: "Planning: N requirements → M tasks → sprint.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 (N - Narrow Scope)

Transform PRD and SDD into actionable sprint plan with right-sized sprints. Generate grimoires/loa/sprint.md.

Context (L - Logical Structure)

• Input: grimoires/loa/prd.md (requirements), grimoires/loa/sdd.md (technical design)
• Integration context: grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md (if exists) for current state, priority signals, team capacity, dependencies
• Current state: Architecture and requirements defined, but no implementation roadmap
• Desired state: Sprint-by-sprint breakdown with deliverables, acceptance criteria, tasks, dependencies

Constraints (E - Explicit)

• DO NOT proceed until you've read both grimoires/loa/prd.md AND grimoires/loa/sdd.md completely
• DO NOT create sprints until clarifying questions are answered
• DO NOT plan more than 10 tasks per sprint. Size sprints as SMALL (1-3 tasks), MEDIUM (4-6 tasks), or LARGE (7-10 tasks)
• DO NOT skip checking grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md for project state and priorities
• DO check current project status (Product Home) before planning if integration context exists
• DO review priority signals (CX Triage, community feedback volume) if available
• DO consider team structure and cross-team dependencies from integration context
• DO link tasks back to source discussions (Discord threads, Linear issues) if required
• DO ask specific questions about: priority conflicts, technical uncertainties, resource availability, external dependencies

Verification (E - Easy to Verify)

Success = Complete sprint plan saved to grimoires/loa/sprint.md + engineers can start immediately without clarification

Each sprint MUST include:

• Sprint Goal (1 sentence)
• Deliverables (checkbox list with measurable outcomes)
• Acceptance Criteria (checkbox list, testable)
• Technical Tasks (checkbox list, specific)
• Dependencies (explicit)
• Risks & Mitigation (specific)
• Success Metrics (quantifiable)

Reproducibility (R - Reproducible Results)

• Use specific task descriptions: NOT "improve auth" → "Implement JWT token validation middleware with 401 error handling"
• Include exact file/component names when known from SDD
• Specify numeric success criteria: NOT "fast" → "API response < 200ms p99"
• Reference specific dates for sprint start/end: NOT "next week" </kernel_framework>

<uncertainty_protocol>

• If PRD or SDD is missing, STOP and inform user you cannot proceed without both
• If scope is too large for reasonable MVP, recommend scope reduction with specific suggestions
• If technical approach in SDD seems misaligned with PRD, flag discrepancy and seek clarification
• Say "I need more information about [X]" when lacking clarity to estimate effort
• Document assumptions explicitly when proceeding with incomplete information </uncertainty_protocol>

<grounding_requirements> Before creating sprint plan:

1. Read grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md (if exists) for organizational context
2. Read grimoires/loa/prd.md completely—extract all MVP features
3. Read grimoires/loa/sdd.md completely—understand technical architecture
4. Quote specific requirements when creating tasks: > From prd.md: FR-1.2: "..."
5. Reference SDD sections for technical tasks: > From sdd.md: §3.2 Database Design </grounding_requirements>

<citation_requirements>

• Reference PRD functional requirements by ID (FR-X.Y)
• Reference SDD sections for technical approach
• Link acceptance criteria to original requirements
• Cite external dependencies with version numbers </citation_requirements>

<workflow> ## Phase -1: Beads-First Preflight (v1.29.0)

Beads task tracking is the EXPECTED DEFAULT. Check health before starting sprint planning.

Run Beads Health Check

health=$(.claude/scripts/beads/beads-health.sh --json)
status=$(echo "$health" | jq -r '.status')

Status Handling

| Status | Action | |--------|--------| | HEALTHY | Proceed silently to Phase 0 | | DEGRADED | Show recommendations, offer quick fix, proceed | | NOT_INSTALLED | Check opt-out, prompt if needed | | NOT_INITIALIZED | Check opt-out, prompt if needed | | MIGRATION_NEEDED | Must address before proceeding | | UNHEALTHY | Must address before proceeding |

If NOT_INSTALLED or NOT_INITIALIZED

1. Check for valid opt-out:

   opt_out=$(.claude/scripts/beads/update-beads-state.sh --opt-out-check 2>/dev/null || echo "NO_OPT_OUT")
   

2. If no valid opt-out, present HITL gate using AskUserQuestion:

   Beads Preflight Check
   ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   
   Status: {status}
   
   Beads is not available. Task tracking is the EXPECTED DEFAULT
   for safe, auditable agent workflows.
   
   "We're building spaceships. Safety of operators and users is paramount."
   
   Options:
   [1] Install beads (Recommended)
       └─ .claude/scripts/beads/install-br.sh
       └─ Or: cargo install beads_rust
   
   [2] Initialize beads
       └─ br init
   
   [3] Continue without beads (24h acknowledgment)
       └─ Requires reason for audit trail
   
   [4] Abort
   

3. If "Continue without beads" selected:

   • Require reason (configurable via beads.opt_out.require_reason)
   • Record opt-out: .claude/scripts/beads/update-beads-state.sh --opt-out "Reason"
   • Log to trajectory: grimoires/loa/a2a/trajectory/beads-preflight-{date}.jsonl
   • Opt-out expires after 24h (configurable)

4. Update state after health check:

   .claude/scripts/beads/update-beads-state.sh --health "$status"
   

If DEGRADED

Show recommendations but proceed:

Beads Health: DEGRADED
Recommendations:
$(echo "$health" | jq -r '.recommendations[]')

Proceeding with sprint planning...

Protocol Reference

See .claude/protocols/beads-preflight.md for full specification.

Phase 0: Check Feedback Files, Ledger, and Integration Context (CRITICAL—DO THIS FIRST)

Step 0: Check for Sprint Ledger (NEW in v1.8.0)

Check if grimoires/loa/ledger.json exists:

[ -f "grimoires/loa/ledger.json" ] && echo "EXISTS" || echo "MISSING"

If MISSING, use AskUserQuestion to offer creation:

No Sprint Ledger found at grimoires/loa/ledger.json

A Sprint Ledger provides:
• Global sprint numbering across development cycles
• Cycle tracking with PRD/SDD references
• Sprint history and metrics for retrospectives

Options:
[1] Create ledger (recommended)
[2] Continue without ledger

If user selects "Create ledger":

Create grimoires/loa/ledger.json with initial schema:

{
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "next_sprint_number": 1,
  "active_cycle": "cycle-001",
  "cycles": [
    {
      "id": "cycle-001",
      "label": null,
      "status": "active",
      "created_at": "<ISO timestamp>",
      "prd": "grimoires/loa/prd.md",
      "sdd": "grimoires/loa/sdd.md",
      "sprints": []
    }
  ]
}

Log creation to trajectory: {"action": "ledger_created", "path": "grimoires/loa/ledger.json"}

If EXISTS, proceed to Step 1.

Step 1: Check for Security Audit Feedback

Check if grimoires/loa/a2a/auditor-sprint-feedback.md exists:

If exists + "CHANGES_REQUIRED":

• Previous sprint failed security audit
• Engineers must address feedback before new work
• STOP: "The previous sprint has unresolved security issues. Engineers should run /implement to address grimoires/loa/a2a/auditor-sprint-feedback.md before planning new sprints."

If exists + "APPROVED - LETS FUCKING GO":

• Previous sprint passed security audit
• Safe to proceed with next sprint planning

If missing:

• No security audit performed yet
• Proceed with normal workflow

Step 2: Check for Integration Context

Check if grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md exists:

[ -f "grimoires/loa/a2a/integration-context.md" ] && echo "EXISTS" || echo "MISSING"

If EXISTS, read it to understand:

• Current state tracking: Where to find project status
• Priority signals: Community feedback volume, CX Triage backlog
• Team capacity: Team structure
• Dependencies: Cross-team initiatives affecting sprint scope
• Context linking: How to link sprint tasks to source discussions
• Documentation locations: Where to update status
• Available MCP tools: Discord, Linear, GitHub integrations

If MISSING, proceed with standard workflow using only PRD/SDD.

Phase 1: Deep Document Analysis

1. Read and synthesize both PRD and SDD, noting:

   • Core MVP features and user stories
   • Technical architecture and design decisions
   • Dependencies between features
   • Technical constraints and risks
   • Success metrics and acceptance criteria

2. Identify gaps:

   • Ambiguous requirements or acceptance criteria
   • Missing technical specifications
   • Unclear priorities or sequencing
   • Potential scope creep
   • Integration points needing clarification

Phase 2: Strategic Questioning

Ask clarifying questions about:

• Priority conflicts or feature trade-offs
• Technical uncertainties impacting effort estimation
• Resource availability or team composition
• External dependencies or third-party integrations
• Underspecified requirements
• Risk mitigation strategies

Wait for responses before proceeding. Questions should demonstrate deep understanding of the product and technical landscape.

Phase 3: Sprint Plan Creation

Design sprint breakdown with:

Overall Structure:

• Executive Summary: MVP scope and total sprint count
• Sprint-by-sprint breakdown
• Risk register and mitigation strategies
• Success metrics and validation approach

Per Sprint (see template in resources/templates/sprint-template.md):

• Sprint Goal (1 sentence)
• Scope: SMALL / MEDIUM / LARGE (based on task count)
• Deliverables with checkboxes
• Acceptance Criteria (testable)
• Technical Tasks (specific) - annotate with goal contributions: → **[G-1]**
• Dependencies
• Risks & Mitigation
• Success Metrics

Goal Traceability (Appendix C)

Extract Goals from PRD:

1. Check PRD for goal table with ID column: | ID | Goal | Measurement | Validation Method |
2. If IDs present (G-1, G-2, etc.), use them directly
3. If IDs missing, auto-assign G-1, G-2, G-3 to numbered goals in "Primary Goals" section
4. Log auto-assigned IDs to trajectory

Create Goal Mapping:

1. For each task, identify which goal(s) it contributes to
2. Annotate tasks with → **[G-N]** format
3. Populate Appendix C with goal-to-task mappings
4. Generate warnings for:
   • Goals without any contributing tasks: ⚠️ WARNING: Goal G-N has no contributing tasks
   • Final sprint missing E2E validation task: ⚠️ WARNING: No E2E validation task found

E2E Validation Task:

1. In the final sprint, include Task N.E2E: End-to-End Goal Validation
2. List all PRD goals with validation steps
3. This task is P0 priority (Must Complete)

Phase 4: Quality Assurance

Self-Review Checklist:

• [ ] All MVP features from PRD are accounted for
• [ ] Sprints build logically on each other
• [ ] Each sprint is feasible as a single iteration
• [ ] All deliverables have checkboxes for tracking
• [ ] Acceptance criteria are clear and testable
• [ ] Technical approach aligns with SDD
• [ ] Risks identified with mitigation strategies
• [ ] Dependencies explicitly called out
• [ ] Plan provides clear guidance for engineers
• [ ] All PRD goals mapped to tasks (Appendix C)
• [ ] All tasks annotated with goal contributions
• [ ] E2E validation task included in final sprint

Save to grimoires/loa/sprint.md. </workflow>

<output_format> See resources/templates/sprint-template.md for full structure.

Each sprint includes:

• Sprint number and theme
• Scope (SMALL/MEDIUM/LARGE) with task count
• Sprint Goal (single sentence)
• Deliverables with checkboxes
• Acceptance Criteria with checkboxes
• Technical Tasks with checkboxes
• Dependencies
• Risks & Mitigation
• Success Metrics </output_format>

<success_criteria>

• Specific: Every task is actionable without additional clarification
• Measurable: Progress tracked via checkboxes
• Achievable: Each sprint is feasible as a single iteration
• Relevant: All tasks trace back to PRD/SDD
• Time-bound: Sprint dates are specific </success_criteria>

<planning_principles>

• Start with Foundation: Early sprints establish core infrastructure
• Build Incrementally: Each sprint delivers demonstrable functionality
• Manage Dependencies: Sequence work to minimize blocking
• Balance Risk: Tackle high-risk items early for course correction
• Maintain Flexibility: Build buffer for unknowns in later sprints
• Focus on MVP: Ruthlessly prioritize essential features </planning_principles>

<beads_workflow>

Beads Workflow (beads_rust)

When beads_rust (br) is installed, use it to track sprint structure:

Session Start

br sync --import-only  # Import latest state from JSONL

Creating Sprint Structure

Use helper scripts for epic and task creation:

# Create sprint epic
EPIC_ID=$(.claude/scripts/beads/create-sprint-epic.sh "Sprint N: Theme" 1)

# Create tasks under epic
.claude/scripts/beads/create-sprint-task.sh "$EPIC_ID" "Task description" 2 task

# Add blocking dependencies between tasks
br dep add <blocked-task-id> <blocker-task-id>

Semantic Labels for Relationships

Use labels instead of dependency types:

| Relationship | Label | Example | |--------------|-------|---------| | Sprint membership | sprint:<n> | br label add beads-xxx sprint:1 | | Epic association | epic:<epic-id> | Auto-added by create-sprint-task.sh | | Review status | needs-review | br label add beads-xxx needs-review |

Session End

br sync --flush-only  # Export SQLite → JSONL before commit

Protocol Reference: See .claude/protocols/beads-integration.md

Beads Flatline Loop (v1.28.0)

After creating beads from the sprint plan, optionally run the Flatline Beads Loop to refine the task graph:

# Check if beads exist and br is available
if command -v br &>/dev/null && [[ $(br list --json 2>/dev/null | jq 'length') -gt 0 ]]; then
    # Run iterative multi-model refinement
    .claude/scripts/beads-flatline-loop.sh --max-iterations 6 --threshold 5
fi

This implements the "Check your beads N times, implement once" pattern:

1. Exports current beads to JSON
2. Runs Flatline Protocol review on task graph
3. Applies HIGH_CONSENSUS suggestions
4. Repeats until changes "flatline" (< 5% change for 2 iterations)
5. Syncs final state to git

When to use:

• After /sprint-plan creates tasks
• Before /run sprint-plan begins execution
• When task decomposition seems questionable

Skip when:

• Simple projects with <10 tasks
• Time-critical execution needed
• Flatline Protocol is disabled </beads_workflow>

<visual_communication>

Visual Communication (Optional)

Follow .claude/protocols/visual-communication.md for diagram standards.

When to Include Diagrams

Sprint plans may benefit from visual aids for:

• Task Dependencies (flowchart) - Show task blocking relationships
• Sprint Workflow (flowchart) - Illustrate sprint execution flow

Output Format

If including diagrams, use Mermaid with preview URLs:

## Appendix A: Task Dependencies

```mermaid
graph TD
    T1[Task 1.1] --> T2[Task 1.2]
    T1 --> T3[Task 1.3]
    T2 --> T4[Task 1.4]
    T3 --> T4

Preview: View diagram

### Theme Configuration

Read theme from `.loa.config.yaml` visual_communication.theme setting.

Diagram inclusion is **optional** for sprint plans - use agent discretion.
</visual_communication>

<post_completion>
## Post-Completion Debrief

After saving the Sprint Plan to `grimoires/loa/sprint.md`, ALWAYS present a structured debrief before the user decides to continue.

### Debrief Structure

Present the following in this exact order:

1. **Confirmation**: "✓ Sprint Plan saved to grimoires/loa/sprint.md"

2. **Key Decisions** (3-5 items): The most impactful planning choices. Each decision should be one line: "• {choice made} (not {alternative rejected})"

3. **Assumptions** (1-3 items): Things assumed true but not explicitly confirmed by the user. Each assumption should be falsifiable: "• {assumption} — if wrong, {consequence}"

4. **Biggest Tradeoff** (1 item): The most consequential either/or decision. Format: "• Chose {A} over {B} — {reason}. Risk: {what could go wrong}"

5. **Steer Prompt**: Use AskUserQuestion:

```yaml
question: "Sprint plan ready. Anything to steer before implementation?"
header: "Review"
options:
  - label: "Start building (Recommended)"
    description: "Start building with /build"
  - label: "Adjust"
    description: "Tell me what to change — I'll regenerate the sprint plan"
  - label: "Stop here"
    description: "Save progress — resume with /plan next time. Not what you expected? /feedback helps us fix it."
multiSelect: false

"Adjust" Flow

When the user selects "Adjust":

1. Prompt: "What would you like to change?" (free-text via AskUserQuestion "Other")
2. Scope: Regenerate the Sprint Plan ONLY (not rerun the entire planning phase)
3. Context preserved: PRD, SDD, and all planning decisions are retained
4. Output: After regeneration, re-present the debrief with updated decisions/assumptions/tradeoffs
5. Diff awareness: If changes are small, note what changed: "Updated: {decision that changed}"
6. Loop limit: Max 3 adjustment rounds before suggesting "Start building" more firmly

Constraints

• Keep decisions to 3-5 items — not an exhaustive list
• Each item is ONE line — no paragraphs
• "Start building" is always the first option (recommended) — this is the final planning phase
• "Stop here" always includes /feedback mention </post_completion>