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Author SHA1 Message Date
Jesse Vincent 67f513f346 refactor(skills): fold systematic-debugging Related-skills block into Phase 4
Same treatment as subagent-driven-development and executing-plans: the
test-driven-development entry duplicated the reference already at Phase 4
Step 1, and the verification-before-completion entry was a sole carrier —
it moves to its point of use in Phase 4 Step 3 (Verify Fix). Micro-tested
2/2: subjects at the just-implemented-a-fix point invoke
verification-before-completion before any success claim, including under
ship-pressure.
2026-07-05 10:50:42 -07:00
Jesse Vincent 9158aa3eed refactor(skills): fold Integration skill lists into points of use
The list-style Integration sections in subagent-driven-development and
executing-plans duplicated references that already exist where the flow
uses them (process digraph, When to Use, prompt templates, Step 3), so
they added maintenance cost without carrying behavior. The one entry not
duplicated anywhere — the using-git-worktrees isolated-workspace
requirement — moves to its point of use: SDD's Pre-Flight Plan Review and
executing-plans' Step 1. Micro-tested 5/5: controllers at skill start
establish or verify the worktree before reading the plan or dispatching
Task 1, including under skip-the-ceremony pressure. The prose Integration
sections in requesting-code-review and other skills are unchanged — they
carry placement content, not an index.
2026-07-05 10:21:28 -07:00
4 changed files with 121 additions and 101 deletions
+5 -11
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@@ -16,10 +16,11 @@ Load plan, review critically, execute all tasks, report when complete.
## The Process
### Step 1: Load and Review Plan
1. Read plan file
2. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
3. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
4. If no concerns: Create todos for the plan items and proceed
1. Ensure an isolated workspace: use superpowers:using-git-worktrees to create one or verify the existing one
2. Read plan file
3. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
4. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
5. If no concerns: Create todos for the plan items and proceed
### Step 2: Execute Tasks
@@ -61,10 +62,3 @@ After all tasks complete and verified:
- Reference skills when plan says to
- Stop when blocked, don't guess
- Never start implementation on main/master branch without explicit user consent
## Integration
**Required workflow skills:**
- **superpowers:using-git-worktrees** - Ensures isolated workspace (creates one or verifies existing)
- **superpowers:writing-plans** - Creates the plan this skill executes
- **superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch** - Complete development after all tasks
+112 -72
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@@ -1,58 +1,71 @@
---
name: finishing-a-development-branch
description: Use when implementation is complete, all tests pass, and you need to decide how to integrate the work
description: Use when implementation is complete, all tests pass, and you need to decide how to integrate the work - guides completion of development work by presenting structured options for merge, PR, or cleanup
---
# Finishing a Development Branch
## Overview
Guide completion of development work by presenting clear options and handling chosen workflow.
**Core principle:** Verify tests → Detect environment → Present options → Execute choice → Clean up.
**Announce at start:** "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
## Step 1: Verify Tests
## The Process
Run the project's full test suite (`npm test` / `cargo test` / `pytest` / `go test ./...`).
### Step 1: Verify Tests
**If tests fail**, report the failures and stop — the menu comes after a green suite:
**Before presenting options, verify tests pass:**
```bash
# Run project's test suite
npm test / cargo test / pytest / go test ./...
```
**If tests fail:**
```
Tests failing (<N> failures). Must fix before completing:
[Show failures]
Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.
```
**If tests pass:** continue to Step 2.
Stop. Don't proceed to Step 2.
## Step 2: Detect Environment
**If tests pass:** Continue to Step 2.
### Step 2: Detect Environment
**Determine workspace state before presenting options:**
```bash
GIT_DIR=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
GIT_COMMON=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
# Capture now, while still inside the workspace — Step 5 changes directory
# before cleanup (Step 6) needs this value
WORKTREE_PATH=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
```
This determines which menu to show and how cleanup works:
| State | Menu | Cleanup |
|-------|------|---------|
| `GIT_DIR == GIT_COMMON` (normal repo) | Standard 3 options | No worktree to clean up |
| `GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON`, named branch | Standard 3 options | Provenance-based (see Step 6) |
| `GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON`, detached HEAD | Reduced 2 options (no merge) | Externally managed — leave in place |
| `GIT_DIR == GIT_COMMON` (normal repo) | Standard 4 options | No worktree to clean up |
| `GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON`, named branch | Standard 4 options | Provenance-based (see Step 6) |
| `GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON`, detached HEAD | Reduced 3 options (no merge) | No cleanup (externally managed) |
## Step 3: Determine Base Branch
### Step 3: Determine Base Branch
The base branch is whatever this work forked from — usually named in the
plan, the conversation, or the branch's upstream. If it is not already
known, ask: "This branch split from <your best guess> - is that correct?"
Confirm before merging: merging into the wrong base is expensive to undo.
```bash
# Try common base branches
git merge-base HEAD main 2>/dev/null || git merge-base HEAD master 2>/dev/null
```
## Step 4: Present Options
Or ask: "This branch split from main - is that correct?"
**Normal repo and named-branch worktree — present exactly these 3 options:**
### Step 4: Present Options
**Normal repo and named-branch worktree — present exactly these 4 options:**
```
Implementation complete. What would you like to do?
@@ -60,30 +73,28 @@ Implementation complete. What would you like to do?
1. Merge back to <base-branch> locally
2. Push and create a Pull Request
3. Keep the branch as-is (I'll handle it later)
4. Discard this work
Which option?
```
**Detached HEAD — present exactly these 2 options:**
**Detached HEAD — present exactly these 3 options:**
```
Implementation complete. You're on a detached HEAD (externally managed workspace).
1. Push as new branch and create a Pull Request
2. Keep as-is (I'll handle it later)
3. Discard this work
Which option?
```
Present the menu exactly as written — concise, with every option coming
from the list above. Discarding the work happens only in response to your
human partner explicitly asking for it (see "If your human partner asks to
discard the work" below). Wait for their answer; the integration decision
is theirs.
**Don't add explanation** - keep options concise.
## Step 5: Execute Choice
### Step 5: Execute Choice
### Option 1: Merge Locally
#### Option 1: Merge Locally
```bash
# Get main repo root for CWD safety
@@ -97,43 +108,34 @@ git merge <feature-branch>
# Verify tests on merged result
<test command>
# Only after merge succeeds: cleanup worktree (Step 6), then delete branch
```
If tests fail on the merged result: stop, leave the worktree and branch in
place, and investigate — nothing has been pushed, so the merge is local
and recoverable.
Once the merged result is green: clean up the worktree (Step 6), then
delete the branch:
Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 6), then delete branch:
```bash
git branch -d <feature-branch>
```
### Option 2: Push and Create PR
#### Option 2: Push and Create PR
```bash
# Push branch
git push -u origin <feature-branch>
# From a detached HEAD, name the new branch on the remote:
# git push origin HEAD:refs/heads/<new-branch>
```
Then create the pull/merge request against <base-branch> with the forge's
tooling — its CLI if one is available, or the creation URL most forges
print when you push — following the repo's PR template and conventions if
present, and report the URL to your human partner.
**Do NOT clean up worktree** — user needs it alive to iterate on PR feedback.
Keep the worktree — your human partner iterates on PR feedback there.
### Option 3: Keep As-Is
#### Option 3: Keep As-Is
Report: "Keeping branch <name>. Worktree preserved at <path>."
### If your human partner asks to discard the work
**Don't cleanup worktree.**
This path exists only as a response to an explicit request to throw the
work away. Confirm first:
#### Option 4: Discard
**Confirm first:**
```
This will permanently delete:
- Branch <name>
@@ -143,39 +145,41 @@ This will permanently delete:
Type 'discard' to confirm.
```
Wait for that exact confirmation. When it arrives:
Wait for exact confirmation.
If confirmed:
```bash
MAIN_ROOT=$(git -C "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)/.." rev-parse --show-toplevel)
cd "$MAIN_ROOT"
```
Then clean up the worktree (Step 6) and force-delete the branch:
Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 6), then force-delete branch:
```bash
git branch -D <feature-branch>
```
## Step 6: Cleanup Workspace
### Step 6: Cleanup Workspace
**Runs for Option 1 and confirmed discards.** Options 2 and 3 always
preserve the worktree. Both callers have already changed directory to the
main repo root — worktree removal must run from outside the worktree —
and use the `GIT_DIR`/`GIT_COMMON`/`WORKTREE_PATH` values captured in
Step 2, from before that directory change.
**Only runs for Options 1 and 4.** Options 2 and 3 always preserve the worktree.
```bash
GIT_DIR=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
GIT_COMMON=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
WORKTREE_PATH=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
```
**If `GIT_DIR == GIT_COMMON`:** Normal repo, no worktree to clean up. Done.
**If `WORKTREE_PATH` is under `.worktrees/` or `worktrees/`:** Superpowers
created this worktree — we own cleanup:
**If worktree path is under `.worktrees/` or `worktrees/`:** Superpowers created this worktree — we own cleanup.
```bash
MAIN_ROOT=$(git -C "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)/.." rev-parse --show-toplevel)
cd "$MAIN_ROOT"
git worktree remove "$WORKTREE_PATH"
git worktree prune # Self-healing: clean up any stale registrations
```
**Otherwise:** The host environment owns this workspace — leave it in
place. If your platform provides a workspace-exit tool, use it.
**Otherwise:** The host environment (harness) owns this workspace. Do NOT remove it. If your platform provides a workspace-exit tool, use it. Otherwise, leave the workspace in place.
## Quick Reference
@@ -184,18 +188,54 @@ place. If your platform provides a workspace-exit tool, use it.
| 1. Merge locally | yes | - | - | yes |
| 2. Create PR | - | yes | yes | - |
| 3. Keep as-is | - | - | yes | - |
| Discard (explicit request only) | - | - | - | yes (force) |
| 4. Discard | - | - | - | yes (force) |
## Common Rationalizations
## Common Mistakes
| Excuse | Reality |
|--------|---------|
| "Tests passed earlier this session" | Run the suite on the tree you are about to integrate. A green run only proves the tree it ran on. |
| "They obviously want it merged" | Integration is your human partner's decision. Present the menu and wait. |
| "They seem done with this feature — I'll offer to discard it" | The menu is complete as written. Discard happens only when your human partner asks for it in so many words. |
| "'Yeah, get rid of it' counts as confirmation" | Only the typed word `discard` authorizes deletion. |
| "The PR is up, so the worktree is clutter now" | PR feedback gets fixed in that worktree. It stays until the work lands. |
| "This other worktree looks stale — I'll clean it too" | Clean up only worktrees under `.worktrees/` or `worktrees/`. Everything else belongs to the host. |
| "The merged-result failure is probably flaky" | A failing merged result stops everything. Branch and worktree stay put while you investigate. |
| "The base branch is obviously main" | Confirm the fork point or ask. Merging into the wrong base is expensive to undo. |
| "The push was rejected — force-push will fix it" | A rejected push means the remote moved. Investigate; force-push only on your human partner's explicit request. |
**Skipping test verification**
- **Problem:** Merge broken code, create failing PR
- **Fix:** Always verify tests before offering options
**Open-ended questions**
- **Problem:** "What should I do next?" is ambiguous
- **Fix:** Present exactly 4 structured options (or 3 for detached HEAD)
**Cleaning up worktree for Option 2**
- **Problem:** Remove worktree user needs for PR iteration
- **Fix:** Only cleanup for Options 1 and 4
**Deleting branch before removing worktree**
- **Problem:** `git branch -d` fails because worktree still references the branch
- **Fix:** Merge first, remove worktree, then delete branch
**Running git worktree remove from inside the worktree**
- **Problem:** Command fails silently when CWD is inside the worktree being removed
- **Fix:** Always `cd` to main repo root before `git worktree remove`
**Cleaning up harness-owned worktrees**
- **Problem:** Removing a worktree the harness created causes phantom state
- **Fix:** Only clean up worktrees under `.worktrees/` or `worktrees/`
**No confirmation for discard**
- **Problem:** Accidentally delete work
- **Fix:** Require typed "discard" confirmation
## Red Flags
**Never:**
- Proceed with failing tests
- Merge without verifying tests on result
- Delete work without confirmation
- Force-push without explicit request
- Remove a worktree before confirming merge success
- Clean up worktrees you didn't create (provenance check)
- Run `git worktree remove` from inside the worktree
**Always:**
- Verify tests before offering options
- Detect environment before presenting menu
- Present exactly 4 options (or 3 for detached HEAD)
- Get typed confirmation for Option 4
- Clean up worktree for Options 1 & 4 only
- `cd` to main repo root before worktree removal
- Run `git worktree prune` after removal
+3 -14
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@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ digraph process {
## Pre-Flight Plan Review
Ensure the work happens in an isolated workspace: use
superpowers:using-git-worktrees to create one or verify the existing one.
Before dispatching Task 1, scan the plan once for conflicts:
- tasks that contradict each other or the plan's Global Constraints
@@ -402,17 +405,3 @@ Done!
**If subagent fails task:**
- Dispatch fix subagent with specific instructions
- Don't try to fix manually (context pollution)
## Integration
**Required workflow skills:**
- **superpowers:using-git-worktrees** - Ensures isolated workspace (creates one or verifies existing)
- **superpowers:writing-plans** - Creates the plan this skill executes
- **superpowers:requesting-code-review** - Code review template for the final whole-branch review
- **superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch** - Complete development after all tasks
**Subagents should use:**
- **superpowers:test-driven-development** - Subagents follow TDD for each task
**Alternative workflow:**
- **superpowers:executing-plans** - Use for parallel session instead of same-session execution
+1 -4
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@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ You MUST complete each phase before proceeding to the next.
- Test passes now?
- No other tests broken?
- Issue actually resolved?
- Use the `superpowers:verification-before-completion` skill before claiming success
4. **If Fix Doesn't Work**
- STOP
@@ -283,10 +284,6 @@ These techniques are part of systematic debugging and available in this director
- **`defense-in-depth.md`** - Add validation at multiple layers after finding root cause
- **`condition-based-waiting.md`** - Replace arbitrary timeouts with condition polling
**Related skills:**
- **superpowers:test-driven-development** - For creating failing test case (Phase 4, Step 1)
- **superpowers:verification-before-completion** - Verify fix worked before claiming success
## Real-World Impact
From debugging sessions: