@open-agent-toolkit/cli 0.0.53 → 0.0.54

package/assets/skills/oat-project-design/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: oat-project-design
-version: 1.2.0
-description: Use when discovery and specification are complete and implementation-ready decisions are needed. Produces detailed technical design artifacts, including architecture and interfaces.
+version: 2.1.0
+description: Use when discovery is complete and implementation-ready decisions are needed. Runs a collaborative, selective collaborative, or draft-and-review design flow, confirms requirements and produces both `spec.md` and `design.md`, and commits artifacts before the user-review gate.
 disable-model-invocation: true
 user-invocable: true
 allowed-tools: Read, Write, Bash(git:*), Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion
@@ -13,7 +13,13 @@ Transform specification requirements into a detailed technical design with archi
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-**Required:** Complete specification document. If missing, run the `oat-project-spec` skill first.
+**Required:** Completed discovery (`discovery.md` with `oat_status: complete`). Specification is optional — this skill folds requirements confirmation into its flow and produces `spec.md` as a byproduct (see Step 2). If the user already ran `oat-project-spec` standalone, that spec is reused.
+
+## Principles
+
+- **YAGNI ruthlessly** — remove unnecessary features from all designs.
+  If a section drafts a capability the spec doesn't require, cut it.
+  If a component boundary is there "in case we need it later", cut it.
 
 ## Progress Indicators (User-Facing)
 
@@ -58,46 +64,127 @@ PROJECTS_ROOT="${PROJECTS_ROOT%/}"
 
 ### Step 1: Check Specification Complete
 
+Specification is OPTIONAL in the default workflow. This skill folds requirements confirmation into Step 2 below and produces `spec.md` as a byproduct.
+
+If `"$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md"` already exists (e.g., the user ran the standalone `oat-project-spec` skill first), validate it and reuse it:
+
 ```bash
-cat "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md" | head -10 | grep "oat_status:"
+if [ -f "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md" ]; then
+  cat "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md" | head -10 | grep "oat_status:"
+fi
 ```
 
-**Required frontmatter:**
+**If `spec.md` exists, required frontmatter:**
 
 - `oat_status: complete`
 - `oat_ready_for: oat-project-design`
 
-**If not complete:** Block and ask user to finish specification first.
+**If `spec.md` exists but is incomplete:** Block and ask user to finish the standalone spec skill first, OR delete the draft and let this skill regenerate it from discovery.
 
-### Step 2: Read Specification Document
+**If `spec.md` does not exist:** That is the default path. Skip to Step 1.5 (mode resolution); Step 2 (Requirements Confirmation) will produce it from `discovery.md`.
 
-Read `"$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md"` completely to understand:
+### Step 1.5: Resolve Interaction Mode
 
-- Problem statement and goals
-- All functional requirements (FR)
-- All non-functional requirements (NFR)
-- Constraints and dependencies
-- High-level design proposal
-- Success metrics
+Resolve whether to run the design phase in Collaborative (section-by-section), Selective Collaborative (section-by-section only for sections that need eyes), or Draft-and-review (full draft up front) mode. Argument precedes env var. An **explicit** non-interactive signal forces draft. Persisted config preference is consulted before prompting the user.
 
-### Step 3: Read Knowledge Base for Design Context
+> **Tool availability is not the same as interactivity.** If the structured `AskUserQuestion` tool is unavailable but the assistant can still exchange normal chat messages with the user, run Collaborative mode using plain chat prompts. Use Draft-and-review only for explicit non-interactive execution (`OAT_NON_INTERACTIVE=1`) or when no user-response channel exists at all (e.g., a CI job with stdin fully redirected from `/dev/null` and no agent-side user turn).
 
-Read for architectural context and conventions:
+```bash
+# 1. Check for explicit override (argument wins over env var — FR1)
+DESIGN_MODE="${ARG_MODE:-${OAT_DESIGN_MODE:-}}"
+
+# 2. If no override, check for EXPLICIT non-interactive signals only.
+#    Lack of a structured question tool (e.g., AskUserQuestion unavailable)
+#    is NOT a non-interactive signal by itself — if normal chat with the
+#    user is available, the session is still interactive.
+if [ -z "$DESIGN_MODE" ]; then
+  if [ "${OAT_NON_INTERACTIVE:-}" = "1" ] || no_user_response_channel_exists; then
+    DESIGN_MODE="draft"
+    echo "Non-interactive context detected. Falling back to draft-and-review mode."
+  else
+    # 3. Consult persisted preference (FR15 / Component 14) before prompting
+    CONFIG_MODE=$(oat config get workflow.designMode 2>/dev/null || echo "")
+    if [ "$CONFIG_MODE" = "collaborative" ] || [ "$CONFIG_MODE" = "selective" ] || [ "$CONFIG_MODE" = "draft" ]; then
+      DESIGN_MODE="$CONFIG_MODE"
+      echo "Using workflow.designMode = ${DESIGN_MODE} from config."
+    else
+      # 4. Interactive: run the selective preflight, then prompt the user.
+      #    The preflight uses references/selective-review-pass.md to classify
+      #    sections and determine whether Selective Collaborative is
+      #    recommended, available, available-not-recommended, or unavailable.
+      #    Default recommendation is Collaborative when in doubt; Draft is
+      #    never the default recommendation from the picker.
+      #
+      #    - Prefer AskUserQuestion for structured multi-choice when it is
+      #      available.
+      #    - If AskUserQuestion is unavailable, ask the same question as a
+      #      plain chat message and wait for the user's reply. Do NOT switch
+      #      to draft mode just because the structured tool is missing.
+      #
+      #    Question: "How would you like to work through the design?
+      #       1. Collaborative — section-by-section, every section confirmed
+      #       2. Selective collaborative — agent drafts routine sections silently
+      #          and walks you through high-risk sections live; before drafting,
+      #          you'll see which sections will be presented and why
+      #       3. Draft-and-review — full draft up front, you review the committed file"
+      #    Mark exactly one option "(recommended for this design)". Hide or
+      #    label Selective unavailable when grounding is broadly absent:
+      #    - Recommended: "Selective collaborative (recommended for this design)"
+      #    - Available: "Selective collaborative (available)"
+      #    - Available-not-recommended: "Selective collaborative (available, not recommended)"
+      #    - Unavailable: "Selective collaborative (unavailable — insufficient grounding context)"
+      #    If Selective is recommended, add one sentence explaining the section
+      #    count and adequate grounding.
+      #
+      # Result populates DESIGN_MODE
+      :
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
+echo "Running in ${DESIGN_MODE} mode."
+```
 
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/project-index.md` - Overview
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/architecture.md` - Existing patterns
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/stack.md` - Technologies available
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/conventions.md` - Code patterns to follow
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/integrations.md` - External services
-- `.oat/repo/knowledge/concerns.md` - Issues to avoid
+**Resolution order (FR1 + FR15):**
 
-**Purpose:** Ensure design aligns with existing architecture and follows established patterns.
+1. `--mode` argument (`ARG_MODE`)
+2. `OAT_DESIGN_MODE` env var
+3. **Explicit** non-interactive signal (`OAT_NON_INTERACTIVE=1`, or the runtime truly cannot pause for any user response) → forces `draft`
+4. `workflow.designMode` from effective config
+5. Interactive prompt (default: Collaborative)
+
+Runtime/context signals always outrank persisted preferences. **Missing `AskUserQuestion` is not a non-interactive signal** — fall through to the plain-chat prompt path instead.
+
+**Selective recommendation states:** `recommended` when grounding is adequate and at least 3 sections (or about 30-40% of sections) classify as routine; `available` when it can run but Collaborative is safer; `available-not-recommended` when savings are marginal; `unavailable` when grounding is broadly absent. Do not offer Selective Collaborative from quick-start — this mode is only for full `oat-project-design`.
+
+**Recovery — draft mode entered by mistake:** If the agent drafted and committed the full design in draft mode because `AskUserQuestion` was unavailable but normal chat was available, do **not** mark the design complete. Treat the committed draft as a starting point and walk it section by section with the user via plain chat — present each section, ask for confirmation or changes, revise and commit on feedback, then move to the next section. Only after the section-by-section pass approves the full artifact should Step 6's user-review gate be considered satisfied.
 
-### Step 4: Initialize Design Document
+### Step 2: Requirements Confirmation (folded spec authoring)
 
-Copy template: `.oat/templates/design.md` → `"$PROJECT_PATH/design.md"`
+<!--
+Requirements-confirmation sub-step.
+The authoring logic below duplicates oat-project-spec Steps 6-16.
+When updating the requirements-authoring prose, update BOTH files.
+-->
 
-Update frontmatter:
+**If `spec.md` already exists with `oat_status: complete`** (produced by the optional standalone `oat-project-spec` skill): read it to understand Problem Statement, FRs/NFRs, Constraints, Dependencies, High-Level Design, Success Metrics, Requirement Index. Then skip to Step 2.5 (Approach Reaffirmation).
+
+**Otherwise** (default path — no `spec.md` yet): author `spec.md` inline by formalizing requirements from `discovery.md`, following the steps below (ported from `oat-project-spec` Steps 6-16).
+
+**Step 2a: Read discovery**
+
+Read `"$PROJECT_PATH/discovery.md"` and extract:
+
+- **Initial Request** → Core problem
+- **Clarifying Questions** → Context and nuances
+- **Key Decisions** → Scope boundaries, FR seeds
+- **Success Criteria** → Goals and NFR seeds
+- **Constraints** → Constraints section
+- **Out of Scope** → Non-Goals
+
+**Step 2b: Initialize spec.md from template**
+
+Copy `.oat/templates/spec.md` → `"$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md"`. Update frontmatter:
 
 ```yaml
 ---
@@ -110,271 +197,435 @@ oat_template: false
 ---
 ```
 
-### Step 5: Draft Architecture Overview
+**Step 2c: Draft Problem Statement**
 
-Based on spec's high-level design + knowledge base architecture:
+Transform from discovery: Initial Request → Core problem; Clarifying Questions → Context; Key Decisions → Scope boundaries. Write 2-4 paragraphs clearly describing the problem being solved.
 
-**System Context:**
+**Step 2d: Define Goals and Non-Goals**
 
-- How this fits into existing architecture
-- What components it interacts with
-- Boundaries of this change
+**Primary Goals:** Must-have outcomes (from Key Decisions + Success Criteria).
+**Secondary Goals:** Nice-to-have outcomes (Success Criteria marked optional).
+**Non-Goals:** Copy from discovery "Out of Scope", adding explicit boundaries and related work intentionally excluded.
 
-**Key Components:**
+**Step 2e: Draft Requirements**
 
-- List main components needed
-- Define responsibilities
-- Show relationships
+Transform Key Decisions and Success Criteria into structured requirements.
 
-**Data Flow:**
+**Functional Requirements (FR):**
 
-- How data moves through the system
-- Entry points and exit points
-- Transformation steps
+```markdown
+**FR1: {Requirement Name}**
 
-Update design.md Architecture section.
+- **Description:** {What the system must do}
+- **Acceptance Criteria:**
+  - {Testable criterion 1}
+  - {Testable criterion 2}
+- **Priority:** P0 / P1 / P2
+```
 
-### Step 6: Design Components
+**Non-Functional Requirements (NFR):**
 
-For each component identified:
+```markdown
+**NFR1: {Requirement Name}**
 
-**Component Details:**
+- **Description:** {Performance, security, usability requirement}
+- **Acceptance Criteria:**
+  - {Measurable criterion}
+- **Priority:** P0 / P1 / P2
+```
 
-```markdown
-### {Component Name}
+**Priorities:**
 
-**Purpose:** {Single responsibility}
+- **P0:** Must have — blocks launch
+- **P1:** Should have — important but not blocking
+- **P2:** Nice to have — future enhancement
 
-**Responsibilities:**
+**Step 2f: Iterate with user (collaborative and selective modes only)**
 
-- {Specific task 1}
-- {Specific task 2}
+```
+IF DESIGN_MODE == "collaborative" || DESIGN_MODE == "selective":
+  Present draft requirements list to user.
+  Ask (AskUserQuestion): "Are these requirements complete? Anything missing or unclear?"
+  Update spec.md with refinements; update oat_last_updated.
+  Repeat until user confirms completeness.
+
+IF DESIGN_MODE == "draft":
+  Commit the drafted requirements as part of the one-pass draft.
+  The user reviews them holistically at the user-review gate (Step 6).
+```
 
-**Interfaces:**
-{Code signatures following conventions.md patterns}
+**Focus areas:** Acceptance criteria testable; priorities clear; edge cases covered; dependencies identified.
 
-**Dependencies:**
+**Step 2g: Document Constraints and Dependencies**
 
-- {What it depends on}
+Copy from discovery "Constraints" and enrich with technical constraints from knowledge base (architecture.md, concerns.md), business/timeline/resource constraints. Identify dependencies: external systems (integrations.md), existing components (architecture.md), third-party libraries, infrastructure.
 
-**Design Decisions:**
+**Step 2h: Draft High-Level Design in spec.md**
 
-- {Why this approach}
-```
+Transform discovery "Options Considered" into design proposal:
 
-Follow patterns from conventions.md. Use stack.md technologies.
+```markdown
+## High-Level Design (Proposed)
 
-### Step 7: Define Data Models
+{2-3 paragraph overview of chosen approach}
 
-For each entity/model needed:
+**Key Components:**
 
-**Model Schema:**
+- {Component 1} — {Brief description}
 
-- Define fields and types
-- Validation rules
-- Storage approach (from architecture.md patterns)
+**Alternatives Considered:**
 
-**Considerations:**
+- {Alternative 1} — {Why rejected}
 
-- Align with existing models (from architecture.md)
-- Follow naming conventions (from conventions.md)
-- Address NFR requirements (performance, security)
+**Open Questions:**
 
-### Step 8: Design APIs
+- {Question needing resolution}
+```
 
-For each API endpoint or interface:
+Keep high-level — detailed design comes in `design.md` below.
 
-**Specification:**
+**Guardrail:** Do not name specific scripts/files/functions here. Describe components and responsibilities only.
 
-- Method and path
-- Request/response schemas
-- Error handling approach
-- Authorization requirements
+**Step 2i: Define Success Metrics**
 
-**Considerations:**
+Transform "Success Criteria" into measurable metrics (performance, quality, user, business).
 
-- Follow API patterns from architecture.md
-- Align with integrations.md external API patterns
-- Address security NFRs
+**Step 2j: Populate Requirement Index**
 
-### Step 9: Address Security Considerations
+Create traceability matrix in spec.md "Requirement Index" section:
 
-Based on NFRs + concerns.md:
+| Column        | Content                                       |
+| ------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
+| ID            | FR1, FR2, NFR1, etc. (sequential)             |
+| Description   | Brief 1-sentence summary                      |
+| Priority      | P0/P1/P2 from requirement                     |
+| Verification  | `method: pointer` — how this will be verified |
+| Planned Tasks | Leave as "TBD - see plan.md"                  |
 
-**Required sections:**
+**Verification column format:** `method: pointer` — method is `unit` / `integration` / `e2e` / `manual` / `perf`; pointer is a brief scope hint (e.g., `unit: auth token validation`).
 
-- Authentication approach
-- Authorization model
-- Data protection (encryption, PII)
-- Input validation strategy
-- Threat mitigation
+**Step 2k: Quality Gate (merged into Step 5 self-review)**
 
-Reference security patterns from conventions.md and concerns.md.
+The prior standalone-spec quality gate (completeness / quality / boundary checks) now merges into Step 5 (Design Self-Review) — those checks run once against both `spec.md` and `design.md` together rather than twice.
 
-### Step 10: Address Performance Considerations
+**Step 2l: Mark spec.md complete and commit**
 
-Based on NFRs + concerns.md:
+Update spec.md frontmatter:
 
-**Required sections:**
+```yaml
+oat_status: complete
+oat_ready_for: oat-project-design
+oat_last_updated: { today }
+```
 
-- Scalability approach
-- Caching strategy
-- Database optimization
-- Resource limits
+Commit separately (keeps history clean; lets reviewers fetch spec independently):
 
-Reference performance patterns from concerns.md.
+```bash
+git add "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md"
+git commit -m "docs: confirm requirements for {project-name}"
+```
 
-### Step 11: Define Error Handling
+### Step 2.5: Approach Reaffirmation (one divergent moment)
 
-**Error Strategy:**
+This is the sole divergent-thinking moment in the skill. After requirements are confirmed and before drafting begins, reaffirm the approach-level direction. Do this exactly once per run.
 
-- Error categories and handling
-- Retry logic
-- Logging approach (follow conventions.md patterns)
+```
+Read "$PROJECT_PATH/discovery.md" — look for "## Solution Space" section
+with a "### Chosen Direction" sub-section.
 
-### Step 12: Define Testing Strategy
+IF Chosen Direction exists:
+  Present to user:
+    "Based on discovery, we're designing around [Approach N — one-line summary].
+     Confirming this is still the right direction before I draft the design?"
+  Use AskUserQuestion:
+    1. Yes — proceed with this approach
+    2. Revisit — I want to explore alternatives again
+  If "Revisit": invoke the 2-3-approaches block below.
 
-Based on spec success metrics + testing.md:
+IF no Chosen Direction (or Solution Space section absent):
+  Invoke the 2-3-approaches pattern inline:
 
-**Step 12a: Create Requirement-to-Test Mapping**
+    > Propose 2-3 different approaches with trade-offs.
+    > Present options conversationally with your recommendation and reasoning.
+    > Lead with your recommended option and explain why.
 
-Pull from spec.md Requirement Index and expand:
+  Ask user to choose. Document the chosen approach in design.md's
+  Overview section before section drafting begins.
 
-| ID          | Verification       | Key Scenarios                            |
-| ----------- | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
-| {from spec} | {method from spec} | {scenarios seeded from pointer + design} |
+Record confirmed approach in design.md §Overview before Step 4 (section iterator).
+```
 
-For each requirement:
+**Key points:**
 
-1. Copy the ID from spec.md
-2. Copy the **method** (left side of `method: pointer`) into Verification
-3. Use the **pointer** (right side) to seed Key Scenarios
-4. Expand scenarios based on component design decisions
-5. Note if multiple test levels apply (e.g., "unit + integration")
+- One divergent moment per run — not per section. Section-level divergence happens organically when the user pushes back on a drafted section (see Step 4).
+- Reaffirmation, not re-derivation: if discovery already chose a direction, confirm and move on.
+- The 2-3-approaches block handles the case where discovery skipped solution-space exploration (well-understood request).
 
-**Step 12b: Define Test Levels**
+### Step 3: Read Knowledge Base for Design Context
 
-- Unit tests: scope and coverage target
-- Integration tests: key scenarios and test environment
-- E2E tests: critical user paths
+Read for architectural context and conventions:
 
-Follow testing patterns from testing.md.
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/project-index.md` - Overview
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/architecture.md` - Existing patterns
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/stack.md` - Technologies available
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/conventions.md` - Code patterns to follow
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/integrations.md` - External services
+- `.oat/repo/knowledge/concerns.md` - Issues to avoid
 
-**Why mapping matters:**
+**Purpose:** Ensure design aligns with existing architecture and follows established patterns.
 
-- Ensures every requirement has a verification plan
-- Feeds directly into `oat-project-plan` task breakdown
-- Prevents "untested requirements" gaps
+### Step 4: Section Iterator
 
-### Step 13: Plan Deployment
+Draft `design.md` section-by-section (Collaborative mode) or in a single pass (Draft-and-review mode). The section list and per-section templates are shared between both branches.
 
-**Deployment Strategy:**
+**Shared section list (in order):**
 
-- Build process (from stack.md)
-- Deployment steps
-- Rollback plan
-- Configuration approach
-- Monitoring and alerts
+1. **Overview + Architecture** — System context (how this fits into existing architecture, components it interacts with, boundaries of this change); Key Components (main components, responsibilities, relationships); Data Flow (how data moves through the system, entry/exit points, transformation steps).
+2. **Component Design** — For each component: Purpose (single responsibility), Responsibilities (specific tasks), Interfaces (code signatures following `conventions.md`), Dependencies, Design Decisions (why this approach). Follow patterns from `conventions.md`; use `stack.md` technologies.
+3. **Data Models** — For each entity/model: Schema (fields, types, validation, storage from `architecture.md`); Considerations (align with existing models; follow naming from `conventions.md`; address NFRs).
+4. **API Design** — For each API/interface: Method and path, Request/response schemas, Error handling, Authorization; Considerations (follow API patterns from `architecture.md`; align with `integrations.md`; address security NFRs).
+5. **Security Considerations** — Authentication, Authorization, Data protection (encryption, PII), Input validation, Threat mitigation. Reference `conventions.md` and `concerns.md`.
+6. **Performance Considerations** — Scalability, Caching, Database optimization, Resource limits. Reference `concerns.md`.
+7. **Error Handling** — Error categories and handling, Retry logic, Logging approach (follow `conventions.md`).
+8. **Testing Strategy (with Requirement-to-Test Mapping)** —
+   - **Step a (Requirement-to-Test Mapping):** Pull from spec.md Requirement Index and expand into a table with `ID | Verification | Key Scenarios`. For each requirement: copy the ID, copy the **method** (left side of `method: pointer`) into Verification, use the **pointer** (right side) to seed Key Scenarios, expand scenarios based on component design decisions, note if multiple test levels apply.
+   - **Step b (Test Levels):** Unit tests (scope and coverage target), Integration tests (key scenarios and test environment), E2E tests (critical user paths). Follow `testing.md`.
+   - **Why mapping matters:** Every requirement gets a verification plan; feeds `oat-project-plan` task breakdown; prevents untested-requirement gaps.
+9. **Deployment Strategy** — Build process (from `stack.md`), Deployment steps, Rollback plan, Configuration, Monitoring and alerts.
+10. **Migration Plan** — Database migrations, Data migrations, Breaking changes handling, Rollback strategy. If not applicable, state as a single sentence.
+11. **Implementation Phases** — Break work into manageable phases (1-3 days each). Per-phase structure: Goal, Tasks (high-level), Verification.
+12. **Risks and Mitigation** — For each significant risk: Probability | Impact; Mitigation; Contingency.
 
-### Step 14: Plan Migrations
+### Step 4a: Selective Review Pass
 
-If changes require migrations:
+If `DESIGN_MODE == "selective"`, classify every section before drafting and present the Section Review Plan to the user. Use `.agents/skills/oat-project-design/references/selective-review-pass.md` for the full signal set, grounding rules, edge cases, and dogfood notes.
 
-**Migration Plan:**
+The pass returns a table with `Section | Classification | Reason | Signals hit`. Classifications are `routine` or `needs-eyes`. Bias is conservative: any one needs-eyes signal marks the section `needs-eyes`. `Overview + Architecture`, `Security Considerations`, `Performance Considerations`, `Error Handling`, and `Migration Plan` are high-risk-by-default and always `needs-eyes`; if no section is marked `needs-eyes`, force `Overview + Architecture` to `needs-eyes` so the user sees the framing.
 
-- Database migrations
-- Data migrations
-- Breaking changes handling
-- Rollback strategy
+Before drafting, print `## Section Review Plan` followed by `Section | Classification | Reason | Signals hit`.
 
-### Step 15: Identify Implementation Phases
+Then ask: "Proceed with this section review plan, or elevate any routine sections to needs-eyes?" If the user elevates sections, update the plan. If every section is `needs-eyes`, say "All sections flagged for review — running as full collaborative" and use the Collaborative branch.
 
-Break work into phases:
+**YAGNI check per section:** If the section would draft a capability `spec.md` doesn't require, cut it. If a component boundary is speculative ("in case we need it later"), cut it.
 
-**Phase Structure:**
+**Collaborative branch:**
 
-```markdown
-### Phase 1: {Phase Name}
+```
+IF DESIGN_MODE == "collaborative":
+  Read spec.md for requirements context; read knowledge base.
+
+  Do NOT create or write to design.md yet — sections are drafted in
+  context and shown to the user inline. design.md is assembled and
+  written to disk only after all sections are approved (see end of
+  this branch). Writing per-section to file is wrong in collaborative
+  mode; it bypasses the per-section review and produces a committed
+  artifact the user never read.
+
+  For SECTION in [
+    "Overview + Architecture",
+    "Component Design",
+    "Data Models",
+    "API Design",
+    "Security Considerations",
+    "Performance Considerations",
+    "Error Handling",
+    "Testing Strategy (with Requirement-to-Test Mapping)",
+    "Deployment Strategy",
+    "Migration Plan",
+    "Implementation Phases",
+    "Risks and Mitigation"
+  ]:
+    Draft section content from spec.md + knowledge base. Scale each
+      section to its complexity: a few sentences if straightforward,
+      up to 200-300 words if nuanced.
+    Not-applicable sections: state as a single sentence, not empty
+      (e.g., "No database migrations required.").
+
+    STEP A — emit the section content as a plain assistant message.
+      Show the full drafted text, not a summary. Do NOT put the section
+      content inside an AskUserQuestion prompt — the question widget is
+      for the confirmation choices only.
+
+    STEP B — ask for approval (separate message, via AskUserQuestion
+      when available, or as a plain chat message when it is not; do
+      not downgrade to draft mode just because AskUserQuestion is
+      missing):
+      "Does this look right, or should we adjust before continuing?"
+
+    On feedback: revise the draft in context. Re-emit the revised
+      section if the change is substantive. Only the final approved
+      text gets written to design.md.
+    Mark section approved. Move to next.
+
+  Track which sections have been approved so re-runs don't redo
+  finalized sections. Divergent thinking during sections happens
+  organically in response to user feedback — there is no scripted
+  per-section "present 2-3 options" step (that happened once at
+  Step 2.5 Approach Reaffirmation).
+
+  Once ALL sections are approved:
+    Copy `.oat/templates/design.md` → `"$PROJECT_PATH/design.md"`.
+    Write each approved section into the corresponding template
+    section. Update frontmatter:
+      oat_status: in_progress
+      oat_ready_for: null
+      oat_blockers: []
+      oat_last_updated: {today}
+      oat_generated: false
+      oat_template: false
+    Continue to Step 5 (Self-Review) and Step 6 (User-Review Gate).
+```
 
-**Goal:** {What this achieves}
+**Selective Collaborative branch:**
 
-**Tasks:**
+```
+IF DESIGN_MODE == "selective":
+  Read spec.md for requirements context; read knowledge base.
+  Run Step 4a if not already run during the picker.
+
+  Do NOT create or write to design.md yet. Draft routine sections
+  silently in memory; present needs-eyes sections inline using the
+  Collaborative approval mechanics.
+
+  For SECTION in shared section list:
+    Draft section content from spec.md + knowledge base.
+    Apply the same YAGNI and not-applicable rules as Collaborative mode.
+
+    IF SECTION classification == "routine":
+      Store the drafted section in the approved-section buffer.
+      Track SECTION in SILENT_SECTIONS for Step 6.
+
+    IF SECTION classification == "needs-eyes":
+      Emit the full section content as a plain assistant message.
+      Ask: "Does this look right, should we adjust, or should I walk
+      through every remaining section?"
+      If user chooses walk-through: mark every remaining section
+        needs-eyes and continue like Collaborative mode.
+      On feedback: revise in context; only final approved text gets
+        written to design.md.
+
+  Once ALL sections are approved or silently accepted:
+    Copy `.oat/templates/design.md` → `"$PROJECT_PATH/design.md"`.
+    Write each section into the corresponding template section.
+    Update frontmatter as in Collaborative mode.
+    Continue to Step 5 (Self-Review) and Step 6 (User-Review Gate).
+```
 
-- {High-level task 1}
-- {High-level task 2}
+**Draft-and-review branch:**
 
-**Verification:** {How to verify completion}
+```
+IF DESIGN_MODE == "draft":
+  Read spec.md for requirements context; read knowledge base.
+
+  Initialize design.md now (draft-and-review writes first, user
+  reviews the committed file):
+    Copy `.oat/templates/design.md` → `"$PROJECT_PATH/design.md"`.
+    Update frontmatter:
+      oat_status: in_progress
+      oat_ready_for: null
+      oat_blockers: []
+      oat_last_updated: {today}
+      oat_generated: false
+      oat_template: false
+
+  Draft all applicable sections in one pass using the same section
+    list above. Apply the same "scale each section to its complexity"
+    principle. Not-applicable sections get a single-sentence statement.
+  Do NOT fire per-section validation prompts — this is a one-pass draft.
+  Append a banner to design.md when non-interactive:
+    "Ran in draft-and-review mode — no interactive user present.
+     Review manually before plan generation." (FR9 — applies when the
+    mode was selected via non-interactive fallback, not when the user
+    explicitly chose draft mode interactively.)
+  Write the complete design.md.
+  Continue to Step 5 (Self-Review) and Step 6 (User-Review Gate).
+  The user-review gate is the sole point of user interaction in draft mode.
 ```
 
-Keep phases manageable (1-3 days of work each).
+### Step 5: Design Self-Review
 
-### Step 16: Document Open Questions
+Silent agent-side quality pass — no user prompt fires here. After all sections are drafted (in either mode), look at `design.md` and `spec.md` with fresh eyes and run four named checks. Fix issues inline; do not recurse on self-review.
 
-Track unresolved design questions:
+1. **Placeholder scan** — Search `design.md` and `spec.md` for `TBD`, `TODO`, `FIXME`, `...`, and placeholder sections that just say "Not applicable" without elaboration. Fix inline.
+2. **Internal consistency** — Does the architecture description match the component design? Do the API request/response shapes match the data models? Does the testing strategy cover the requirements? Fix inline.
+3. **Scope check** — Did the design grow beyond what discovery scoped? If out-of-scope items crept in, move them to discovery.md "Deferred Ideas". If genuine multi-subsystem scope surfaces, escalate to the user — they may want to split into multiple projects (follow-up split-escape-hatch work, not this skill's responsibility).
+4. **Ambiguity check** — Could any requirement or design statement be interpreted two ways? Pick one and make it explicit.
 
-- Decisions needing user input
-- Technical uncertainties
-- Performance unknowns
+Apply fixes inline. Do not re-run self-review. Continue to Step 6 (User-Review Gate).
 
-### Step 17: Assess Risks
+### Step 6: User-Review Gate (commit-first ordering)
 
-For each significant risk:
+By the time Step 6 runs, `design.md` already exists on disk regardless of mode:
 
-**Risk Assessment:**
+- **Collaborative**: written at the end of the Step 4 approval loop, after all sections were confirmed in chat.
+- **Selective Collaborative**: written at the end of the Step 4 selective loop, after `needs-eyes` sections were confirmed and `routine` sections were silently accepted.
+- **Draft-and-review**: written in Step 4 as the one-pass draft.
 
-```markdown
-- **{Risk Name}:** {Probability} | {Impact}
-  - **Mitigation:** {How to reduce}
-  - **Contingency:** {Backup plan}
-```
+Step 6 commits the file and then (if a HiLL gate is configured) presents the user-review prompt. This keeps the "written and committed" prompt wording literally accurate.
 
-### Step 18: Review Design with User
+**Step 6a: Commit drafted artifacts (before user-review gate)**
 
-**Review Points:**
+Even when no HiLL checkpoint is configured, the artifact is committed — consistent behavior across HiLL-on / HiLL-off configurations. "Committed" no longer means "approved" — it means "written to disk and tracked."
 
-1. Architecture aligns with requirements
-2. Component responsibilities clear
-3. Data models cover all entities
-4. APIs meet functional requirements
-5. Security addresses NFRs
-6. Performance addresses NFRs
-7. Testing strategy adequate
-8. Implementation phases reasonable
+```bash
+# Update design.md frontmatter for the draft commit:
+#   oat_status: in_progress
+#   oat_ready_for: null
+#   oat_last_updated: {today}
 
-**Iterate:** Make refinements based on feedback, update `oat_last_updated`.
+git add "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md" "$PROJECT_PATH/design.md" "$PROJECT_PATH/state.md"
+git diff --cached --quiet || git commit -m "docs: draft design for {project-name} (awaiting review)"
+```
 
-### Step 19: Human-in-the-Loop Lifecycle (HiLL) Gate (If Configured)
+**Step 6b: Read state.md frontmatter**
 
-Read `"$PROJECT_PATH/state.md"` frontmatter:
+Read `"$PROJECT_PATH/state.md"`:
 
 - `oat_hill_checkpoints`
 - `oat_hill_completed`
 
-If `"design"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints`, require explicit user approval before advancing.
+**Step 6c: If no HiLL gate configured, skip prompt (artifact still committed)**
 
-**Approval prompt (required):**
+If neither `"design"` nor `"spec"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints`: no user-review prompt fires; artifact is committed. Skip to Step 7.
 
-- "Design artifact is ready. Approve design and unlock `oat-project-plan`?"
+**Step 6d: If HiLL gate configured, present the user-review prompt**
 
-**Optional independent review path:**
+If `"design"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints` (or `"spec"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints` and was not already completed via the standalone `oat-project-spec` skill):
 
-- If user wants fresh-context artifact review first, run:
-  - `oat-project-review-provide artifact design`
-
-**If user does not approve yet:**
+```
+Prompt (required wording):
+
+  > "Design written and committed to {design.md path}.
+  >  spec.md (with confirmed requirements) is at {spec.md path}.
+  >  Please review them and let me know if you want to make any changes
+  >  before we move to planning.
+  >
+  >  Optional: run `oat-project-review-provide artifact design` for an
+  >  independent reviewer pass first."
+
+If `DESIGN_MODE == "selective"` and `SILENT_SECTIONS` is non-empty, append: "Drafted without live confirmation: {SILENT_SECTIONS}. Please review those sections especially carefully in the committed file."
+
+Wait for user response:
+
+- Approval → continue to Step 7.
+- Change requests → revise the relevant section(s), re-run Step 5
+  (Self-Review), then MAKE A NEW COMMIT:
+    git add "$PROJECT_PATH/spec.md" "$PROJECT_PATH/design.md"
+    git commit -m "docs: revise design after user review feedback"
+  Re-present this prompt.
+- If user does not approve yet (wants to pause without explicit change
+  requests): keep design frontmatter as oat_status: in_progress /
+  oat_ready_for: null; do not append "design" to oat_hill_completed;
+  stop and report: "Design draft committed; awaiting HiLL approval."
+```
 
-- Keep design frontmatter as:
-  - `oat_status: in_progress`
-  - `oat_ready_for: null`
-- Keep project state as in-progress for design.
-- Do **not** append `"design"` to `oat_hill_completed`.
-- Stop and report: "Design draft saved; awaiting HiLL approval."
+### Step 7: Approval — Mark Design Complete and Update HiLL State
 
-If design is not configured as a HiLL checkpoint, or user explicitly approves, continue to Step 20.
+On approval (either explicit user approval when HiLL gate fired, or automatic when no HiLL gate is configured):
 
-### Step 20: Mark Design Complete
+**Step 7a: Mark design.md complete**
 
-Update frontmatter:
+Update `design.md` frontmatter:
 
 ```yaml
 ---
@@ -385,19 +636,20 @@ oat_last_updated: { today }
 ---
 ```
 
-### Step 21: Update Project State
+**Step 7b: Update project state.md**
 
 Update `"$PROJECT_PATH/state.md"`:
 
 **Frontmatter updates:**
 
 - `oat_current_task: null`
-- `oat_last_commit: {commit_sha_from_step_22}`
+- `oat_last_commit: {commit_sha_from_step_6a_or_revision}`
 - `oat_blockers: []`
 - `oat_phase: design`
 - `oat_phase_status: complete`
 - `oat_project_state_updated: "{ISO 8601 UTC timestamp}"`
-- **If** `"design"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints`: append `"design"` to `oat_hill_completed` array
+- **If** `"design"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints`: append `"design"` to `oat_hill_completed` array.
+- **If** `"spec"` is in `oat_hill_checkpoints` and not previously completed via the standalone spec skill: append `"spec"` too (folded HiLL — a single approval covers both).
 
 **Note:** Only append to `oat_hill_completed` when the phase is configured as a HiLL gate.
 
@@ -411,32 +663,19 @@ Design - Ready for implementation planning
 ## Progress
 
 - ✓ Discovery complete
-- ✓ Specification complete
+- ✓ Specification complete (folded into design)
 - ✓ Design complete
 - ⧗ Awaiting implementation plan
 ```
 
-### Step 22: Commit Design
-
-**Note:** This shows what users will do when USING oat-project-design.
-During implementation of OAT itself, use standard commit format.
+**Step 7c: Commit the approval-side metadata**
 
 ```bash
-git add "$PROJECT_PATH/"
-git commit -m "docs: complete design for {project-name}
-
-Architecture:
-- {N} components
-- {Key architectural decision}
-
-Implementation:
-- {N} phases planned
-- {Estimated complexity}
-
-Ready for implementation planning"
+git add "$PROJECT_PATH/design.md" "$PROJECT_PATH/state.md"
+git diff --cached --quiet || git commit -m "chore(oat): mark design complete for {project-name}"
 ```
 
-### Step 23: Output Summary
+### Step 8: Output Summary
 
 ```
 Design phase complete for {project-name}.