autonomous-coding-toolkit 1.0.0

package/skills/systematic-debugging/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: systematic-debugging
+description: Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes
+version: 1.0.0
+---
+
+# Systematic Debugging
+
+## Overview
+
+Random fixes waste time and create new bugs. Quick patches mask underlying issues.
+
+**Core principle:** ALWAYS find root cause before attempting fixes. Symptom fixes are failure.
+
+**Violating the letter of this process is violating the spirit of debugging.**
+
+## The Iron Law
+
+```
+NO FIXES WITHOUT ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION FIRST
+```
+
+If you haven't completed Phase 1, you cannot propose fixes.
+
+## When to Use
+
+Use for ANY technical issue:
+- Test failures
+- Bugs in production
+- Unexpected behavior
+- Performance problems
+- Build failures
+- Integration issues
+
+## The Four Phases
+
+You MUST complete each phase before proceeding to the next.
+
+### Phase 1: Root Cause Investigation
+
+**BEFORE attempting ANY fix:**
+
+1. **Read Error Messages Carefully**
+   - Don't skip past errors or warnings
+   - Read stack traces completely
+   - Note line numbers, file paths, error codes
+
+2. **Reproduce Consistently**
+   - Can you trigger it reliably?
+   - What are the exact steps?
+   - If not reproducible → gather more data, don't guess
+
+3. **Check Recent Changes**
+   - What changed that could cause this?
+   - Git diff, recent commits
+   - New dependencies, config changes
+
+4. **Gather Evidence in Multi-Component Systems**
+
+   **WHEN system has multiple components:**
+
+   **BEFORE proposing fixes, add diagnostic instrumentation:**
+   ```
+   For EACH component boundary:
+     - Log what data enters component
+     - Log what data exits component
+     - Verify environment/config propagation
+     - Check state at each layer
+
+   Run once to gather evidence showing WHERE it breaks
+   THEN analyze evidence to identify failing component
+   THEN investigate that specific component
+   ```
+
+5. **Trace Data Flow**
+   - Where does bad value originate?
+   - What called this with bad value?
+   - Keep tracing up until you find the source
+   - Fix at source, not at symptom
+
+### Phase 2: Pattern Analysis
+
+1. **Find Working Examples** - Locate similar working code
+2. **Compare Against References** - Read reference implementation COMPLETELY
+3. **Identify Differences** - List every difference, however small
+4. **Understand Dependencies** - What other components does this need?
+
+### Phase 3: Hypothesis and Testing
+
+1. **Form Single Hypothesis** - "I think X is the root cause because Y"
+2. **Test Minimally** - SMALLEST possible change, one variable at a time
+3. **Verify Before Continuing** - Did it work? If not, form NEW hypothesis
+4. **When You Don't Know** - Say so. Don't pretend.
+
+### Phase 4: Implementation
+
+1. **Create Failing Test Case** - Simplest possible reproduction
+2. **Implement Single Fix** - ONE change at a time, no "while I'm here" improvements
+3. **Verify Fix** - Test passes? No other tests broken?
+4. **If Fix Doesn't Work** - If < 3 attempts: return to Phase 1. If >= 3: question the architecture.
+
+## Red Flags - STOP and Follow Process
+
+- "Quick fix for now, investigate later"
+- "Just try changing X and see if it works"
+- "I don't fully understand but this might work"
+- Proposing solutions before tracing data flow
+- **"One more fix attempt" (when already tried 2+)**
+
+**ALL of these mean: STOP. Return to Phase 1.**
+
+## Common Rationalizations
+
+| Excuse | Reality |
+|--------|---------|
+| "Issue is simple, don't need process" | Simple issues have root causes too. |
+| "Emergency, no time for process" | Systematic debugging is FASTER than thrashing. |
+| "I see the problem, let me fix it" | Seeing symptoms ≠ understanding root cause. |
+| "One more fix attempt" (after 2+ failures) | 3+ failures = architectural problem. |
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+| Phase | Key Activities | Success Criteria |
+|-------|---------------|------------------|
+| **1. Root Cause** | Read errors, reproduce, check changes | Understand WHAT and WHY |
+| **2. Pattern** | Find working examples, compare | Identify differences |
+| **3. Hypothesis** | Form theory, test minimally | Confirmed or new hypothesis |
+| **4. Implementation** | Create test, fix, verify | Bug resolved, tests pass |
+
+## Supporting Techniques
+
+- **root-cause-tracing.md** - Trace bugs backward through call stack
+- **defense-in-depth.md** - Add validation at multiple layers after finding root cause
+- **condition-based-waiting.md** - Replace arbitrary timeouts with condition polling

package/skills/systematic-debugging/condition-based-waiting.md

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+# Condition-Based Waiting
+
+## Overview
+
+Flaky tests often guess at timing with arbitrary delays. This creates race conditions.
+
+**Core principle:** Wait for the actual condition you care about, not a guess about how long it takes.
+
+## Core Pattern
+
+```typescript
+// ❌ BEFORE: Guessing at timing
+await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 50));
+const result = getResult();
+expect(result).toBeDefined();
+
+// ✅ AFTER: Waiting for condition
+await waitFor(() => getResult() !== undefined);
+const result = getResult();
+expect(result).toBeDefined();
+```
+
+## Quick Patterns
+
+| Scenario | Pattern |
+|----------|---------|
+| Wait for event | `waitFor(() => events.find(e => e.type === 'DONE'))` |
+| Wait for state | `waitFor(() => machine.state === 'ready')` |
+| Wait for count | `waitFor(() => items.length >= 5)` |
+| Wait for file | `waitFor(() => fs.existsSync(path))` |
+
+## Implementation
+
+```typescript
+async function waitFor<T>(
+  condition: () => T | undefined | null | false,
+  description: string,
+  timeoutMs = 5000
+): Promise<T> {
+  const startTime = Date.now();
+
+  while (true) {
+    const result = condition();
+    if (result) return result;
+
+    if (Date.now() - startTime > timeoutMs) {
+      throw new Error(`Timeout waiting for ${description} after ${timeoutMs}ms`);
+    }
+
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 10)); // Poll every 10ms
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+**❌ Polling too fast:** `setTimeout(check, 1)` - wastes CPU
+**✅ Fix:** Poll every 10ms
+
+**❌ No timeout:** Loop forever if condition never met
+**✅ Fix:** Always include timeout with clear error
+
+**❌ Stale data:** Cache state before loop
+**✅ Fix:** Call getter inside loop for fresh data

package/skills/systematic-debugging/defense-in-depth.md

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+# Defense-in-Depth Validation
+
+## Overview
+
+When you fix a bug caused by invalid data, adding validation at one place feels sufficient. But that single check can be bypassed by different code paths, refactoring, or mocks.
+
+**Core principle:** Validate at EVERY layer data passes through. Make the bug structurally impossible.
+
+## The Four Layers
+
+### Layer 1: Entry Point Validation
+Reject obviously invalid input at API boundary
+
+### Layer 2: Business Logic Validation
+Ensure data makes sense for this operation
+
+### Layer 3: Environment Guards
+Prevent dangerous operations in specific contexts
+
+### Layer 4: Debug Instrumentation
+Capture context for forensics
+
+## Applying the Pattern
+
+When you find a bug:
+
+1. **Trace the data flow** - Where does bad value originate? Where used?
+2. **Map all checkpoints** - List every point data passes through
+3. **Add validation at each layer** - Entry, business, environment, debug
+4. **Test each layer** - Try to bypass layer 1, verify layer 2 catches it
+
+**Don't stop at one validation point.** Add checks at every layer.

package/skills/systematic-debugging/root-cause-tracing.md

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+# Root Cause Tracing
+
+## Overview
+
+Bugs often manifest deep in the call stack. Your instinct is to fix where the error appears, but that's treating a symptom.
+
+**Core principle:** Trace backward through the call chain until you find the original trigger, then fix at the source.
+
+## When to Use
+
+**Use when:**
+- Error happens deep in execution (not at entry point)
+- Stack trace shows long call chain
+- Unclear where invalid data originated
+
+## The Tracing Process
+
+### 1. Observe the Symptom
+```
+Error: git init failed in /Users/jesse/project/packages/core
+```
+
+### 2. Find Immediate Cause
+```typescript
+await execFileAsync('git', ['init'], { cwd: projectDir });
+```
+
+### 3. Ask: What Called This?
+```typescript
+WorktreeManager.createSessionWorktree(projectDir, sessionId)
+  → called by Session.initializeWorkspace()
+  → called by Session.create()
+  → called by test at Project.create()
+```
+
+### 4. Keep Tracing Up
+- `projectDir = ''` (empty string!)
+- Empty string as `cwd` resolves to `process.cwd()`
+
+### 5. Find Original Trigger
+```typescript
+const context = setupCoreTest(); // Returns { tempDir: '' }
+Project.create('name', context.tempDir); // Accessed before beforeEach!
+```
+
+## Key Principle
+
+**NEVER fix just where the error appears.** Trace back to find the original trigger.
+
+## Stack Trace Tips
+
+- **In tests:** Use `console.error()` not logger
+- **Before operation:** Log before the dangerous operation, not after it fails
+- **Include context:** Directory, cwd, environment variables
+- **Capture stack:** `new Error().stack` shows complete call chain

package/skills/test-driven-development/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: test-driven-development
+description: Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code
+version: 1.0.0
+---
+
+# Test-Driven Development (TDD)
+
+## Overview
+
+Write the test first. Watch it fail. Write minimal code to pass.
+
+**Core principle:** If you didn't watch the test fail, you don't know if it tests the right thing.
+
+**Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.**
+
+## When to Use
+
+**Always:**
+- New features
+- Bug fixes
+- Refactoring
+- Behavior changes
+
+**Exceptions (ask your human partner):**
+- Throwaway prototypes
+- Generated code
+- Configuration files
+
+Thinking "skip TDD just this once"? Stop. That's rationalization.
+
+## The Iron Law
+
+```
+NO PRODUCTION CODE WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
+```
+
+Write code before the test? Delete it. Start over.
+
+**No exceptions:**
+- Don't keep it as "reference"
+- Don't "adapt" it while writing tests
+- Don't look at it
+- Delete means delete
+
+Implement fresh from tests. Period.
+
+## Red-Green-Refactor
+
+### RED - Write Failing Test
+
+Write one minimal test showing what should happen.
+
+**Requirements:**
+- One behavior
+- Clear name
+- Real code (no mocks unless unavoidable)
+
+### Verify RED - Watch It Fail
+
+**MANDATORY. Never skip.**
+
+```bash
+npm test path/to/test.test.ts
+```
+
+Confirm:
+- Test fails (not errors)
+- Failure message is expected
+- Fails because feature missing (not typos)
+
+**Test passes?** You're testing existing behavior. Fix test.
+
+**Test errors?** Fix error, re-run until it fails correctly.
+
+### GREEN - Minimal Code
+
+Write simplest code to pass the test.
+
+Don't add features, refactor other code, or "improve" beyond the test.
+
+### Verify GREEN - Watch It Pass
+
+**MANDATORY.**
+
+```bash
+npm test path/to/test.test.ts
+```
+
+Confirm:
+- Test passes
+- Other tests still pass
+- Output pristine (no errors, warnings)
+
+**Test fails?** Fix code, not test.
+
+**Other tests fail?** Fix now.
+
+### REFACTOR - Clean Up
+
+After green only:
+- Remove duplication
+- Improve names
+- Extract helpers
+
+Keep tests green. Don't add behavior.
+
+### Repeat
+
+Next failing test for next feature.
+
+## Common Rationalizations
+
+| Excuse | Reality |
+|--------|---------|
+| "Too simple to test" | Simple code breaks. Test takes 30 seconds. |
+| "I'll test after" | Tests passing immediately prove nothing. |
+| "Tests after achieve same goals" | Tests-after = "what does this do?" Tests-first = "what should this do?" |
+| "Already manually tested" | Ad-hoc ≠ systematic. No record, can't re-run. |
+| "Deleting X hours is wasteful" | Sunk cost fallacy. Keeping unverified code is technical debt. |
+| "Keep as reference, write tests first" | You'll adapt it. That's testing after. Delete means delete. |
+| "Need to explore first" | Fine. Throw away exploration, start with TDD. |
+| "Test hard = design unclear" | Listen to test. Hard to test = hard to use. |
+| "TDD will slow me down" | TDD faster than debugging. Pragmatic = test-first. |
+
+## Red Flags - STOP and Start Over
+
+- Code before test
+- Test after implementation
+- Test passes immediately
+- Can't explain why test failed
+- Tests added "later"
+- Rationalizing "just this once"
+- "I already manually tested it"
+- "Tests after achieve the same purpose"
+
+**All of these mean: Delete code. Start over with TDD.**
+
+## Verification Checklist
+
+Before marking work complete:
+
+- [ ] Every new function/method has a test
+- [ ] Watched each test fail before implementing
+- [ ] Each test failed for expected reason (feature missing, not typo)
+- [ ] Wrote minimal code to pass each test
+- [ ] All tests pass
+- [ ] Output pristine (no errors, warnings)
+- [ ] Tests use real code (mocks only if unavoidable)
+- [ ] Edge cases and errors covered
+
+Can't check all boxes? You skipped TDD. Start over.
+
+## Debugging Integration
+
+Bug found? Write failing test reproducing it. Follow TDD cycle. Test proves fix and prevents regression.
+
+Never fix bugs without a test.
+
+## Final Rule
+
+```
+Production code → test exists and failed first
+Otherwise → not TDD
+```
+
+No exceptions without your human partner's permission.

package/skills/using-git-worktrees/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: using-git-worktrees
+description: Use when starting feature work that needs isolation from current workspace or before executing implementation plans - creates isolated git worktrees with smart directory selection and safety verification
+version: 1.0.0
+---
+
+# Using Git Worktrees
+
+## Overview
+
+Git worktrees create isolated workspaces sharing the same repository, allowing work on multiple branches simultaneously without switching.
+
+**Core principle:** Systematic directory selection + safety verification = reliable isolation.
+
+**Announce at start:** "I'm using the using-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."
+
+## Directory Selection Process
+
+Follow this priority order:
+
+### 1. Check Existing Directories
+
+```bash
+# Check in priority order
+ls -d .worktrees 2>/dev/null     # Preferred (hidden)
+ls -d worktrees 2>/dev/null      # Alternative
+```
+
+**If found:** Use that directory. If both exist, `.worktrees` wins.
+
+### 2. Check `CLAUDE.md`
+
+```bash
+grep -i "worktree.*director" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null
+```
+
+**If preference specified:** Use it without asking.
+
+### 3. Ask User
+
+If no directory exists and no `CLAUDE.md` preference:
+
+```
+No worktree directory found. Where should I create worktrees?
+
+1. .worktrees/ (project-local, hidden)
+2. ~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/<project-name>/ (global location)
+
+Which would you prefer?
+```
+
+## Safety Verification
+
+### For Project-Local Directories (.worktrees or worktrees)
+
+**MUST verify directory is ignored before creating worktree:**
+
+```bash
+# Check if directory is ignored (respects local, global, and system gitignore)
+git check-ignore -q .worktrees 2>/dev/null || git check-ignore -q worktrees 2>/dev/null
+```
+
+**If NOT ignored:**
+
+Per Jesse's rule "Fix broken things immediately":
+1. Add appropriate line to .gitignore
+2. Commit the change
+3. Proceed with worktree creation
+
+**Why critical:** Prevents accidentally committing worktree contents to repository.
+
+### For Global Directory (~/.config/superpowers/worktrees)
+
+No .gitignore verification needed - outside project entirely.
+
+## Creation Steps
+
+### 1. Detect Project Name
+
+```bash
+project=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")
+```
+
+### 2. Create Worktree
+
+```bash
+# Determine full path
+case $LOCATION in
+  .worktrees|worktrees)
+    path="$LOCATION/$BRANCH_NAME"
+    ;;
+  ~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/*)
+    path="~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/$project/$BRANCH_NAME"
+    ;;
+esac
+
+# Create worktree with new branch
+git worktree add "$path" -b "$BRANCH_NAME"
+cd "$path"
+```
+
+### 3. Run Project Setup
+
+Auto-detect and run appropriate setup:
+
+```bash
+# Node.js
+if [ -f package.json ]; then npm install; fi
+
+# Rust
+if [ -f Cargo.toml ]; then cargo build; fi
+
+# Python
+if [ -f requirements.txt ]; then pip install -r requirements.txt; fi
+if [ -f pyproject.toml ]; then poetry install; fi
+
+# Go
+if [ -f go.mod ]; then go mod download; fi
+```
+
+### 4. Verify Clean Baseline
+
+Run tests to ensure worktree starts clean:
+
+```bash
+# Examples - use project-appropriate command
+npm test
+cargo test
+pytest
+go test ./...
+```
+
+**If tests fail:** Report failures, ask whether to proceed or investigate.
+
+**If tests pass:** Report ready.
+
+### 5. Report Location
+
+```
+Worktree ready at <full-path>
+Tests passing (<N> tests, 0 failures)
+Ready to implement <feature-name>
+```
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+| Situation | Action |
+|-----------|--------|
+| `.worktrees/` exists | Use it (verify ignored) |
+| `worktrees/` exists | Use it (verify ignored) |
+| Both exist | Use `.worktrees/` |
+| Neither exists | Check `CLAUDE.md` → Ask user |
+| Directory not ignored | Add to .gitignore + commit |
+| Tests fail during baseline | Report failures + ask |
+| No package.json/Cargo.toml | Skip dependency install |
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+### Skipping ignore verification
+
+- **Problem:** Worktree contents get tracked, pollute git status
+- **Fix:** Always use `git check-ignore` before creating project-local worktree
+
+### Assuming directory location
+
+- **Problem:** Creates inconsistency, violates project conventions
+- **Fix:** Follow priority: existing > `CLAUDE.md` > ask
+
+### Proceeding with failing tests
+
+- **Problem:** Can't distinguish new bugs from pre-existing issues
+- **Fix:** Report failures, get explicit permission to proceed
+
+### Hardcoding setup commands
+
+- **Problem:** Breaks on projects using different tools
+- **Fix:** Auto-detect from project files (package.json, etc.)
+
+## Example Workflow
+
+```
+You: I'm using the using-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace.
+
+[Check .worktrees/ - exists]
+[Verify ignored - git check-ignore confirms .worktrees/ is ignored]
+[Create worktree: git worktree add .worktrees/auth -b feature/auth]
+[Run npm install]
+[Run npm test - 47 passing]
+
+Worktree ready at /Users/jesse/myproject/.worktrees/auth
+Tests passing (47 tests, 0 failures)
+Ready to implement auth feature
+```
+
+## Red Flags
+
+**Never:**
+- Create worktree without verifying it's ignored (project-local)
+- Skip baseline test verification
+- Proceed with failing tests without asking
+- Assume directory location when ambiguous
+- Skip `CLAUDE.md` check
+
+**Always:**
+- Follow directory priority: existing > `CLAUDE.md` > ask
+- Verify directory is ignored for project-local
+- Auto-detect and run project setup
+- Verify clean test baseline
+
+## Integration
+
+**Called by:**
+- **brainstorming** (Phase 4) - REQUIRED when design is approved and implementation follows
+- **subagent-driven-development** - REQUIRED before executing any tasks
+- **executing-plans** - REQUIRED before executing any tasks
+- Any skill needing isolated workspace
+
+**Pairs with:**
+- **finishing-a-development-branch** - REQUIRED for cleanup after work complete