@kynetic-ai/spec 0.10.0 → 0.12.0

package/plugin/plugins/kspec/skills/review/SKILL.md

@@ -1,232 +1,449 @@
 ---
 name: review
-description: Kspec-specific review gates — spec alignment, own AC coverage,
-  trait AC coverage, and validation integration. Building block for
-  project-specific review workflows.
+description: How to review work and use kspec review records. Covers both
+  reviewer and worker perspectives — creating reviews, structuring findings, AC
+  coverage verification, review principles, and the full review record
+  interface.
 ---
 <!-- kspec-managed -->
 # Review
 
-Kspec-specific review concerns for verifying spec alignment, AC coverage, and trait coverage. A building block that projects reference in their own review skills and workflows.
+How to review work and use kspec review records. Covers both the reviewer perspective (creating reviews, structuring findings) and the worker perspective (reading feedback, addressing issues). Bakes in review principles, AC coverage verification, and the full review record interface.
 
 ## When to Use
 
-- Before creating a PR — verify implementation meets spec
-- As part of a project-specific local review workflow
-- When reviewing code changes against acceptance criteria
+- Reviewing submitted work (as reviewer)
+- Reading and addressing review feedback (as worker)
+- Creating or managing review records
+- Verifying AC coverage before submitting work
 
-**This is NOT a complete review workflow.** It covers kspec-specific quality gates (spec alignment, AC coverage, trait coverage, validation). Projects should wrap this in their own review skill that adds project-specific concerns (test commands, E2E patterns, coding standards).
+## Two Perspectives
 
-## Spec Context Discovery
+This skill serves both sides of the review process:
 
-If a spec ref is not explicitly provided, discover it before proceeding with AC checks:
+- **As a reviewer:** Create reviews, investigate code, structure findings as threads, record checks, submit verdicts
+- **As a worker:** Read review threads, understand what's blocking, address findings, request re-review
 
-```bash
-# 1. Check commit messages for Task: or Spec: trailers
-git log --format='%B' main..HEAD | grep -E '^(Task|Spec):'
+Both perspectives use the same review record system.
 
-# 2. Check changed files for // AC: annotations pointing to specs
-git diff main..HEAD | grep '// AC: @'
+---
 
-# 3. If a task ref is found, get its spec_ref
-kspec task get @task-ref --json | jq '.spec_ref'
+## Review Principles
 
-# 4. Search recent tasks matching the scope of changes
-kspec tasks list | grep -i "<keywords from changed files>"
-```
+### Adversarial Investigation
 
-If a spec is found through any method, proceed with full AC validation below.
-If no spec context is found after all discovery steps, skip AC coverage checks and focus on code quality and regression checks.
+**Worker claims are hypotheses, not facts.** When a commit message says "all tests pass," verify it. When a note says "fixed the type errors," check they're actually fixed and not suppressed. Workers are not lying — but they are biased toward believing their own work is correct. Your job is to independently verify.
 
-**Principle:** The absence of a trailer is a signal to look harder, not permission to skip validation.
+**Read the code before the description.** Start by reading the diff — what changed, what was added, what was removed. Form your own understanding. Only then read the task notes or PR description and compare. This prevents anchoring bias.
 
-## CLI Lookups
+**Treat justifications as claims to verify.** "Pre-existing issue," "out of scope," "will be addressed in follow-up," "this is the standard pattern" — these require evidence, not acceptance.
 
-Use CLI commands to resolve specs and traits. **Do NOT search `.kspec/` YAML files manually.**
+**A clean review is valid.** Not every submission has bugs. If you investigate thoroughly and find nothing wrong, approve. Do not invent findings to justify time spent. The goal is accuracy, not a finding quota.
 
-| Need | Command |
-|------|---------|
-| Spec + all ACs (own + inherited) | `kspec item get @spec-ref` |
-| Trait definition + ACs | `kspec item get @trait-slug` |
-| All traits on a spec | shown in `kspec item get @spec-ref` output |
-| Search by keyword | `kspec search "keyword"` |
-| All traits | `kspec trait list` |
+### Cognitive Biases to Counteract
+
+**Satisfaction of search** — After finding the first issue, your detection rate drops 25-50%. Finding one issue makes it MORE likely there are others. Deliberately increase scrutiny after your first finding.
+
+**Complexity bias** — Simple-looking changes (renames, test rewrites, config changes) receive less scrutiny because they "look safe." These are where semantic bugs hide. Every submission gets the same investigation depth.
 
-**Resolving inherited traits:** When `kspec item get` shows "Inherited from @trait-slug", run `kspec item get @trait-slug` to see the full trait ACs. This is one command — never grep through `.kspec/modules/*.yaml` files.
+**Anchoring** — Don't frame analysis around the author's stated intent. Assess what the code actually does, not what the author says it does.
 
-## Spec Alignment
+**Decision fatigue** — On the Nth review, reviewers default to approval. Every approval must be backed by specific evidence of verification.
 
-Implementation must match spec intent, not just pass tests.
+### Structured Exploration
 
-### How to Verify
+Before rendering any verdict, complete both deterministic and analytical checks:
 
+**Deterministic checks** (run these, don't reason about them):
 ```bash
-# Read the spec — all ACs (own + inherited)
-kspec item get @spec-ref
+kspec item get @spec-ref                    # Own ACs + inherited trait ACs
+kspec validate                              # Trait coverage warnings
+# Run the project's test suite
+grep -rn "AC: @spec-ref" tests/             # Own AC annotations (adapt path/syntax)
+grep -rn "AC: @trait-" tests/               # Trait AC annotations
 ```
 
-For each AC, verify:
-1. **Implementation exists** — Code handles the described behavior
-2. **Test exists** — A test validates the behavior
-3. **Behavior matches** — The test actually proves the AC, not just syntactically passes
+**Analytical checks** (require reading and judgment):
+1. Read the diff — every changed file, not just the interesting ones
+2. Read surrounding context — unchanged files that interact with changed code
+3. Verify spec alignment — for each AC, confirm the code satisfies the behavior
+4. Verify at least one worker claim independently
+5. Search across categories — correctness, edge cases, error handling, security, test quality, integration
 
-### What to Flag
+---
 
-| Issue | Severity |
-|-------|----------|
-| AC has no implementation | MUST-FIX |
-| AC has no test | MUST-FIX |
-| Implementation deviates from spec | MUST-FIX |
-| Undocumented behavior (not in any AC) | SHOULD-FIX |
-| Spec is vague, implementation chose reasonable interpretation | Note it |
+## AC Coverage Verification
 
-## Own AC Coverage
+### Own AC Coverage
 
 Every acceptance criterion on the spec MUST have at least one annotated test.
 
-### Annotation Format
+```bash
+# Get all ACs (own + inherited from traits)
+kspec item get @spec-ref
+
+# Search for annotations in test files (adapt to your language/paths)
+grep -rn "AC: @spec-ref" tests/
+```
+
+Annotations use language-appropriate comment syntax:
 
 ```javascript
-// AC: @spec-ref ac-N
-it('should validate input when given invalid data', () => { ... });
+// AC: @spec-ref ac-1
+it('should validate input', () => { ... });
 ```
 
 ```python
-# AC: @spec-ref ac-N
+# AC: @spec-ref ac-1
 def test_validates_input():
     ...
 ```
 
-### Checking Coverage
+Before accepting coverage, confirm each annotation matches the AC text from `kspec item get` — not just the `ac-N` number. A test must actually prove the AC, not just touch the code path.
+
+### Trait AC Coverage
+
+When a spec implements traits, it inherits their ACs. Every inherited AC needs test coverage using the **trait's** ref:
+
+```javascript
+// AC: @trait-json-output ac-1
+it('should output valid JSON with --json flag', () => { ... });
+```
 
 ```bash
-# Get all ACs for the spec
-kspec item get @spec-ref
+# kspec validate reports uncovered trait ACs
+kspec validate
+```
+
+Any "inherited trait AC(s) without test coverage" warning is a blocker.
+
+If a trait AC genuinely doesn't apply, annotate it with a reason:
+
+```javascript
+// AC: @trait-json-output ac-3 — N/A: this command has no tabular output
+```
+
+Annotations must be standalone line comments, not embedded in block comments.
+
+### Spec Alignment
+
+Implementation must match spec intent, not just pass tests:
+
+1. **Implementation exists** — Code handles the described behavior
+2. **Test exists** — A test validates the behavior
+3. **Behavior matches** — The test actually proves the AC, not just syntactically passes
 
-# Search for annotations in test files
-# (adapt grep path to your project's test directories)
-grep -rn "// AC: @spec-ref" tests/
+---
+
+## Review Records
+
+kspec stores first-party review records as durable artifacts in the shadow branch. They track the full lifecycle of reviewing work — threaded comments, check results, verdicts, and audit history.
+
+### Review Lifecycle
+
+```
+draft → open → closed
+                 ↓
+              archived (terminal)
 ```
 
-Each AC listed in the spec output must have a corresponding annotation. Missing annotations are MUST-FIX.
-Before accepting coverage, confirm each annotation matches the AC text from `kspec item get @spec-ref` (not only the `ac-N` label).
+| State | Meaning |
+|-------|---------|
+| `draft` | Review created but not yet started |
+| `open` | Active review in progress |
+| `closed` | Review concluded (auto-closed on approve/request_changes verdict) |
+| `archived` | Permanently archived |
+
+**Auto-close on verdict:** When a reviewer submits an `approve` or `request_changes` verdict, the review record automatically transitions to `closed`. A `comment` verdict leaves the review open since it doesn't represent a final assessment. Each closed review is a point-in-time artifact.
+
+### Per-Cycle Review Model
 
-## Trait AC Coverage
+Each review cycle produces its own review record. This is analogous to individual PR reviews on GitHub — each review is a discrete artifact with its own verdict, and the collection of reviews across cycles comprises the full review history for the task.
 
-When a spec implements traits, it inherits their ACs. Every inherited trait AC must also have test coverage.
+**How it works:**
+- When a task enters `pending_review`, the reviewer creates a **new** review record
+- If a prior closed review exists, it remains as a historical artifact
+- The task's `review_ref` is updated to point to the new record
+- Historical reviews are accessible via `kspec review for-task @ref` (returns all linked reviews)
 
-### How It Works
+**Do NOT reopen old reviews.** Instead, create a fresh review for each cycle. This keeps each review's findings, verdict, and context self-contained.
+
+### Disposition (Computed)
+
+The disposition is computed from verdicts, checks, and threads — not set directly:
+
+| Disposition | Condition |
+|-------------|-----------|
+| `pending` | No verdicts, or only `comment` verdicts |
+| `approved` | At least one `approve` verdict matching current version, no blocking `request_changes`, all required gates passing, no unresolved blocker threads |
+| `changes_requested` | Any `request_changes` verdict matching current version, or required gates failing, or unresolved blocker threads |
+
+### Creating Reviews
 
 ```bash
-# kspec item get shows inherited ACs under "Inherited from @trait-slug" sections
-kspec item get @spec-ref
+# Review a task (auto-links review_ref on the task)
+kspec review add --title "Review task-add-auth" \
+  --subject-type task --subject-ref @task-add-auth
+
+# Review committed code (requires base/head commits)
+kspec review add --title "Review feature branch" \
+  --subject-type code --base abc1234 --head def5678 \
+  --base-branch main --head-branch feat/auth \
+  --related-ref @task-add-auth
+
+# Review a plan or spec
+kspec review add --title "Review auth plan" \
+  --subject-type plan --subject-ref @plan-auth
 ```
 
-Each inherited AC needs a test annotated with the **trait's** ref, not the spec's ref:
+**Subject types:** `task`, `code`, `plan`, `spec`, `external`
 
-```javascript
-// AC: @trait-json-output ac-1
-it('should output valid JSON with --json flag', () => { ... });
+### Structuring Findings as Threads
+
+Each finding becomes a thread with a kind that determines its impact:
+
+```bash
+# Blocker — must be resolved before approval
+kspec review comment @review-ref \
+  --body "Missing error handling for invalid input" --kind blocker
+
+# Question — non-blocking, needs clarification
+kspec review comment @review-ref \
+  --body "Why was this approach chosen over X?" --kind question
+
+# Nit — non-blocking, minor suggestion (default)
+kspec review comment @review-ref \
+  --body "Consider renaming this variable" --kind nit
 ```
 
-### Checking Coverage
+**Thread kinds:** `blocker` (blocks approval), `question` (non-blocking), `nit` (non-blocking, default).
+
+Only blocker threads affect disposition. Unresolved nits and questions do not block approval.
+
+#### Code-Targeted Comments
+
+Anchor findings to specific lines for code reviews:
 
 ```bash
-# kspec validate reports uncovered trait ACs
-kspec validate
+kspec review comment @review-ref --body "Off-by-one error" --kind blocker \
+  --path src/parser/validate.ts --side head --line-start 42 --line-end 42 \
+  --commit def5678
+```
+
+#### Structured Anchors (for plans/specs)
+
+```bash
+kspec review comment @review-ref --body "AC is too vague" --kind blocker \
+  --section acceptance_criteria --field ac-3 --anchor-ref @spec-ref
+```
+
+### Recording Checks
 
-# Search for specific trait annotations
-grep -rn "// AC: @trait-json-output" tests/
+Checks record verification evidence bound to the reviewed state:
+
+```bash
+# Passing test run
+kspec review check @review-ref --name "vitest" --status pass \
+  --runner vitest --evidence "All 342 tests passed" \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
+
+# Failing check
+kspec review check @review-ref --name "lint" --status fail \
+  --runner eslint --evidence "3 errors found" \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
+
+# Informational (non-required) check
+kspec review check @review-ref --name "coverage" --status pass \
+  --no-required --evidence "87% coverage" \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
 ```
 
-Any "inherited trait AC(s) without test coverage" warning from `kspec validate` is a MUST-FIX blocker.
+**Check statuses:** `pass`, `fail`, `running`, `skipped`
 
-### When a Trait AC Doesn't Apply
+Checks whose `applies_to_version` does not match the current subject version are stale.
 
-If a trait AC genuinely doesn't apply to this spec, annotate it with a reason:
+### Submitting Verdicts
 
-```javascript
-// AC: @trait-json-output ac-3 — N/A: this command has no tabular output to format
+Verdicts record individual reviewer decisions:
+
+```bash
+# Approve
+kspec review verdict @review-ref --decision approve \
+  --reviewer agent@example.com \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
+
+# Request changes (triggers needs_work on linked task)
+kspec review verdict @review-ref --decision request_changes \
+  --reviewer agent@example.com \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
+
+# Comment (non-blocking)
+kspec review verdict @review-ref --decision comment \
+  --reviewer agent@example.com \
+  --version-base abc1234 --version-head def5678
 ```
 
-The annotation must exist so coverage tooling can track it.
-Annotations must be standalone line comments (`// AC:` or `# AC:`), not embedded inside block/JSDoc comments.
+Verdicts are per-reviewer. A later verdict from the same reviewer replaces the earlier one for the same version. Verdicts not matching the current subject version are stale.
 
-### No Traits?
+### Replying and Resolving Threads
 
-If the spec has no traits (`kspec item get` shows no "Inherited from" sections), skip this step entirely.
+```bash
+# Reply to a thread
+kspec review reply @review-ref --thread <thread-ulid> \
+  --body "Fixed in commit abc1234"
 
-## Validation Integration
+# Resolve a thread
+kspec review resolve @review-ref --thread <thread-ulid>
+
+# Reopen if fix was insufficient
+kspec review reopen @review-ref --thread <thread-ulid>
+```
+
+### Fix Cycles (Re-review After Changes)
+
+When a task returns to `pending_review` after a fix cycle, the reviewer creates a **new** review record rather than updating the old one:
 
 ```bash
-kspec validate
+# The old review is already closed (auto-closed on verdict)
+# Create a fresh review for the new cycle
+kspec review add --title "Review task-foo (cycle 2)" \
+  --subject-type task --subject-ref @task-foo
+
+# The task's review_ref now points to this new review
+# The prior review remains accessible via for-task
+kspec review for-task @task-foo  # Shows all reviews, current + historical
 ```
 
-Validation catches spec-level issues:
-- Missing acceptance criteria on specs
-- Broken references (dangling `@slug`)
-- Missing descriptions
-- Uncovered trait ACs (the most common review finding)
-- Orphaned specs (no linked tasks)
+If dispatch workspace metadata is available, the new review's orientation will include a diff summary showing what changed since the prior review's examined commit.
 
-**Exit codes:** `0` = clean, `4` = errors, `6` = warnings only.
+**Subject refresh** is still available for within-cycle updates (e.g., reviewer pushes a minor fix before verdicting):
 
-Treat errors as MUST-FIX. Treat warnings as SHOULD-FIX (especially trait AC warnings).
+```bash
+kspec review refresh @review-ref --head new-commit-sha
+```
 
-## Review Checklist
+### Task Integration
 
-Use this checklist when reviewing implementation against a spec:
+Reviews integrate with the task lifecycle:
 
-### MUST-FIX (Blocks PR)
+- Creating a task review auto-sets `task.review_ref` to the new review
+- A `request_changes` verdict auto-transitions `pending_review` tasks to `needs_work` and auto-closes the review
+- An `approve` verdict auto-closes the review
+- `kspec review for-task @ref` finds **all** linked reviews (current + historical)
 
-- [ ] Every own AC has at least one annotated test
-- [ ] Every inherited trait AC has at least one annotated test (or N/A annotation)
-- [ ] `kspec validate` reports no errors for this spec
-- [ ] Implementation matches spec behavior (not just syntactically correct tests)
-- [ ] No regressions — existing tests still pass
+---
+
+## Finding Validation
+
+Before emitting any finding, apply the **claim-disprove-emit** cycle:
+
+1. **State the claim.** What exactly is wrong? Be specific: file, line, behavior.
+2. **Try to disprove it.** Look for evidence the code is correct — guard clauses, tests covering the case, spec decisions justifying the approach.
+3. **If disproved, drop it.** Dropped candidates are the process working correctly.
+4. **If still valid, assess severity and confidence.**
 
-### SHOULD-FIX
+### Finding Quality
 
-- [ ] `kspec validate` warnings addressed (especially trait AC coverage)
-- [ ] Undocumented behavior has spec coverage or is flagged
-- [ ] Test annotations reference correct spec/trait refs
+Every finding must include:
+- **Path and line** — exactly where the issue is
+- **Claim** — what is wrong, stated precisely
+- **Impact** — what breaks, what guarantee is lost
+- **Evidence** — what you observed that proves the claim
 
-### SUGGESTION
+### Severity Guide
 
-- [ ] Tests are meaningful (would fail if feature breaks)
-- [ ] Prefer E2E over unit where practical
-- [ ] Tests run in isolation (temp dirs, not project repo)
+| Severity | When to use |
+|----------|-------------|
+| **MUST-FIX** | Correctness, security, spec violation, coverage loss. High or medium confidence required. |
+| **SHOULD-FIX** | Likely correctness issue, missing boundary case, fragile code. |
+| **SUGGESTION** | Pure style, naming, formatting. Zero correctness implications. |
 
-## Severity Guide
+**Default to MUST-FIX.** Only downgrade when you are certain the issue is cosmetic.
 
-| Finding | Severity | Action |
-|---------|----------|--------|
-| Missing own AC test annotation | MUST-FIX | Add test with `// AC: @spec-ref ac-N` |
-| Missing trait AC test annotation | MUST-FIX | Add test with `// AC: @trait-slug ac-N` |
-| `kspec validate` error | MUST-FIX | Fix the validation error |
-| Implementation doesn't match spec | MUST-FIX | Fix implementation or update spec |
-| `kspec validate` warning | SHOULD-FIX | Address warning |
-| Undocumented behavior | SHOULD-FIX | Add AC or note deviation |
-| Test doesn't prove its AC | SHOULD-FIX | Rewrite test |
-| No E2E tests | SUGGESTION | Consider adding |
+---
+
+## As a Worker: Reading Review Feedback
 
-## Using in Project Reviews
+When your task is in `needs_work`:
+
+```bash
+# Find all reviews for the task (current + historical)
+kspec review for-task @ref
 
-This skill provides the kspec-specific gates. Wrap it in your project's review:
+# Read the most recent review (the one that kicked back to needs_work)
+kspec review get @review-ref
 
+# Focus on blocker threads — these must be resolved
+# Address questions and nits where reasonable
+# Reply to threads explaining your fix
+kspec review reply @review-ref --thread <ulid> --body "Fixed in commit abc1234"
 ```
-Project Review = kspec:review gates + project-specific gates
+
+**Historical context:** If the task has been through multiple fix cycles, `kspec review for-task @ref` returns all reviews. Each is a closed artifact with its own findings and verdict. Read prior reviews to understand the full review history and avoid re-introducing previously flagged issues.
+
+After fixing:
+```bash
+kspec task submit @ref  # Back to pending_review — reviewer creates a new review record
 ```
 
-Project-specific gates to add in your own review skill:
-- **Test commands** — How to run your test suite
-- **Test patterns** — Project-specific test helpers and isolation patterns
-- **Code style** — Naming, error handling, import conventions
-- **E2E specifics** — How E2E tests work in your project
-- **Regression check** — Full suite command and expectations
+---
+
+## Reviewer Workflow Summary
+
+1. **Discover context** — `kspec task get @ref`, `kspec item get @spec-ref`
+2. **Create review** — `kspec review add --subject-type task --subject-ref @ref` (creates a new record each cycle)
+3. **Open review** — `kspec review open @review-ref`
+4. **Investigate** — deterministic checks, then analytical checks
+5. **Record findings** — `kspec review comment` for each finding with appropriate kind
+6. **Record checks** — `kspec review check` for test/lint results
+7. **Submit verdict** — `kspec review verdict` (approve or request_changes — auto-closes the review)
+
+---
+
+## CLI Lookups
+
+| Need | Command |
+|------|---------|
+| Spec + all ACs (own + inherited) | `kspec item get @spec-ref` |
+| Trait definition + ACs | `kspec item get @trait-slug` |
+| Review details | `kspec review get @review-ref` |
+| Reviews for a task | `kspec review for-task @task-ref` |
+| All open reviews | `kspec review list --status open` |
+| Search by keyword | `kspec search "keyword"` |
+| All traits | `kspec trait list` |
+| Validation | `kspec validate` |
+
+## Command Reference
+
+```bash
+# Create and query
+kspec review add [options]              # Create a review record
+kspec review get <ref>                  # Show review details
+kspec review list [--status, --disposition, --subject-type, --reviewer, --task]
+kspec review for-task <ref>             # Find reviews linked to a task
+
+# Comments and threads
+kspec review comment <ref> [options]    # Add a comment thread
+kspec review reply <ref> --thread <ulid> --body "..."
+kspec review resolve <ref> --thread <ulid>
+kspec review reopen <ref> --thread <ulid>
+
+# Checks and verdicts
+kspec review check <ref> [options]      # Record a check result
+kspec review verdict <ref> [options]    # Set a reviewer verdict
+
+# Lifecycle
+kspec review open <ref>                 # draft → open
+kspec review close <ref>                # → closed
+kspec review archive <ref>              # → archived (permanent)
+
+# Subject management
+kspec review refresh <ref> --head <commit> [--base <commit>]
+```
 
 ## Integration
 
-- **`/kspec:task-work`** — Run review before submitting tasks
+- **`/kspec:task-work`** — Workers read review feedback during fix cycles
+- **`/kspec:merge`** — Merge gate checks review disposition before merging
 - **`/kspec:writing-specs`** — If review reveals spec gaps, update specs first
 - **`kspec validate`** — Automated validation complements manual review