specweave 0.26.4 → 0.26.9

package/plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/SKILL.md

@@ -5,1478 +5,612 @@ description: Creates comprehensive implementation plans for ANY type of SpecWeav
 
 # Increment Planner Skill
 
-## 📚 Required Reading (LOAD FIRST)
-
-**CRITICAL**: Before planning features, read this guide:
-- **[Increment Lifecycle Guide](.specweave/docs/internal/delivery/guides/increment-lifecycle.md)**
-
-This guide contains:
-- Complete increment structure (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md with embedded tests)
-- WIP limits and status progression
-- Task vs increment decision tree
-- Context manifest creation for 70%+ token reduction
-- **v0.7.0+**: Test-Aware Planning (tests embedded in tasks.md, no separate tests.md)
-
-**Load this guide using the Read tool BEFORE creating feature plans.**
+**Self-contained increment planning that works in ANY user project after `specweave init`.**
 
 ---
 
-This skill creates comprehensive, well-structured implementation plans for SpecWeave features following the Spec-Driven Development methodology.
-
 ## Purpose
 
-The increment-planner skill automates the creation of implementation plans for ANY type of work:
-- Auto-numbered increment directories (`0001-9999` 4-digit format)
-- Duplicate detection (prevents creating 0002 when 0002 already exists)
-- Complete increment artifacts (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md with embedded tests, **metadata.json**)
-- Proper context manifests for selective loading
-- Constitutional compliance
-- Separation of WHAT/WHY (spec) from HOW (plan) from STEPS (tasks with test plans)
-- **v0.7.0+**: Test-Aware Planning (bidirectional AC↔Task↔Test linking)
-- **v0.8.0+**: Multi-Project Support (specs organized by project/team)
-- **v0.18.0+**: Bidirectional Task↔User Story Linking (automatic during `/specweave:done`)
-- **v0.24.5+**: **MANDATORY metadata.json creation** (enables status tracking, WIP limits, external tool sync)
-
-## Bidirectional Linking (v0.18.0+)
-
-**CRITICAL FEATURE**: When you create tasks, ensure they have **AC**: fields so bidirectional links can be created automatically.
-
-### How It Works
-
-1. **During Planning**: Create tasks with AC-IDs
-   ```markdown
-   ## T-001: Implement User Login
-
-   **AC**: AC-US1-01, AC-US1-02, AC-US1-03   ← CRITICAL!
-   ```
-
-2. **During Completion**: `/specweave:done` automatically:
-   - Extracts user stories to `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/{project}/{feature}/`
-   - Parses tasks.md for AC-IDs
-   - **Injects bidirectional links** into tasks.md
-   - Creates complete traceability (Tasks ↔ User Stories)
-
-3. **Result**: Tasks now link back to user stories:
-   ```markdown
-   ## T-001: Implement User Login
-
-   **User Story**: [US-001: User Authentication](../../docs/internal/specs/default/auth-service/us-001-user-authentication.md)
-
-   **AC**: AC-US1-01, AC-US1-02, AC-US1-03
-   ```
-
-### Requirements
-
-**MUST HAVE** for bidirectional linking:
-- ✅ Tasks with **AC**: field
-- ✅ AC-IDs in format: `AC-US{number}-{criteria}` (e.g., `AC-US1-01`)
-- ✅ Matching user stories in spec.md (e.g., `### US-001:` or `#### US-001:`)
+Automates creation of increment structure for ANY type of work:
+- ✅ Auto-numbered directories (`0001-9999`)
+- ✅ Duplicate detection (prevents conflicts)
+- ✅ Complete file templates (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md, metadata.json)
+- ✅ Proper YAML frontmatter
+- ✅ Works in all user projects (self-contained)
 
-**Multi-Project Support**:
-- Works with `specs/default/`, `specs/backend/`, `specs/frontend/`, etc.
-- Paths automatically adapt to project structure
-- No additional configuration needed
-
-### Benefits
-
-- ✅ **Complete Traceability**: Navigate from tasks to user stories and back
-- ✅ **Automatic**: Zero manual linking during `/specweave:done`
-- ✅ **LLM-Friendly**: AI can understand relationships bidirectionally
-- ✅ **Multi-Project Aware**: Works across all projects
-
-**For complete details**: See `.specweave/docs/public/guides/bidirectional-linking.md`
-
-## Increment Types (v0.7.0+)
-
-**Increments can be any type of work**, not just features. SpecWeave supports six types:
-
-| Type | Description | Use When | Limit |
-|------|-------------|----------|-------|
-| **feature** | Standard feature development | Adding new functionality | Max 2 active |
-| **hotfix** | Critical production fixes | Production is broken | Unlimited |
-| **bug** | Production bugs with SRE investigation | Bug requires root cause analysis | Unlimited |
-| **change-request** | Stakeholder requests | Business requirements change | Max 2 active |
-| **refactor** | Code improvement | Technical debt, code quality | Max 1 active |
-| **experiment** | POC/spike work | Exploring options, prototypes | Unlimited* |
+---
 
-**Examples**:
-- **Feature**: "Add user authentication", "Implement payment processing"
-- **Hotfix**: "Fix critical security vulnerability CVE-2024-1234"
-- **Bug**: "Investigate memory leak in production API", "Performance degradation in checkout flow"
-- **Change Request**: "Redesign dashboard per stakeholder feedback"
-- **Refactor**: "Extract service layer from monolith", "Migrate to TypeScript"
-- **Experiment**: "Evaluate GraphQL vs REST", "Prototype real-time collaboration"
+## Increment Types
 
-**Key Insight**: The increment structure (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md) works for ALL types. Even a bug investigation needs:
-- **spec.md**: What's broken? Expected vs actual behavior? Impact?
-- **plan.md**: Investigation approach, tools, hypothesis
-- **tasks.md**: Investigation steps, fix implementation, verification
+| Type | Description | Use When | WIP Limit |
+|------|-------------|----------|-----------|
+| **feature** | New functionality | Adding features | Max 2 active |
+| **hotfix** | Critical production fixes | Production broken | Unlimited |
+| **bug** | Bug investigation with RCA | Needs root cause analysis | Unlimited |
+| **change-request** | Stakeholder requests | Business changes | Max 2 active |
+| **refactor** | Code improvement | Technical debt | Max 1 active |
+| **experiment** | POC/spike work | Exploring options | Unlimited |
 
-## When to Use This Skill
+---
 
-Use this skill when:
-- **Features**: Creating new functionality from a description
-- **Hotfixes**: Planning urgent production fixes
-- **Bugs**: Structuring SRE investigations and root cause analysis
-- **Change Requests**: Organizing stakeholder-driven changes
-- **Refactors**: Planning code improvement work
-- **Experiments**: Structuring POCs and technical spikes
-- **Brownfield**: Structuring modifications to existing codebases
+## When to Use
 
-## When NOT to Use This Skill
+✅ **USE** when:
+- Creating features, hotfixes, bug investigations, refactors, POCs
+- Planning structured work in user projects
+- Need complete increment scaffold with templates
 
-Do NOT activate if:
-- ❌ User is asking general questions about SpecWeave (use documentation instead)
-- ❌ Another skill (e.g., `project-kickstarter`) is already handling the request
-- ❌ User is already in an active increment planning workflow
-- ❌ Increment files (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md) are currently being created
+❌ **DON'T USE** when:
+- User asking general questions
+- Another skill already handling request
+- Already in active increment planning
 
 ---
 
-## Increment Naming Convention
+## Critical Rules
 
-**CRITICAL**: All increments MUST use descriptive names, not just numbers.
+### 1. Increment Naming (MANDATORY)
 
 **Format**: `####-descriptive-kebab-case-name`
 
-**Examples**:
-- ✅ `0001-core-framework`
-- ✅ `0002-core-enhancements`
-- ✅ `0003-intelligent-model-selection`
-- ❌ `0003` (too generic, rejected)
-- ❌ `0004` (no description, rejected)
-
-**Rationale**:
-- **Clear intent at a glance** - "0003-intelligent-model-selection" tells you exactly what it does
-- **Easy to reference** - "the model selection increment" vs "increment 3"
-- **Better git history** - Commit messages naturally include feature name
-- **Searchable by feature** - `git log --grep="model-selection"` works
-- **Self-documenting** - Increment folders are readable without opening files
-
-**Rules**:
-- `####` = Zero-padded 4-digit number (0001, 0002, 0003, ...)
-- `-descriptive-name` = Kebab-case description (lowercase, hyphens)
-- Max 50 chars total (for readability)
-- No special characters except hyphens
-
-**When Creating Increments**:
-```bash
-# ❌ Wrong
-/specweave:increment "0004"
-
-# ✅ Correct
-/specweave:increment "0004-cost-optimization"
-/specweave:increment "0005-github-sync-enhancements"
+✅ **CORRECT**:
 ```
-
-**Enforcement**:
-- `/specweave:increment` command validates naming (rejects bare numbers)
-- Code review requirement (descriptive names mandatory)
-
----
-
-## 🔗 External Sync Architecture (CRITICAL)
-
-**Source of Truth**: `.specweave/docs/specs/` (LOCAL) is the permanent source of truth. External tools (GitHub, Jira, ADO) are **MIRRORS**.
-
-**Correct sync direction**:
+0001-user-authentication
+0002-payment-processing
+0003-email-notifications
 ```
-✅ CORRECT:
-.specweave/  ↔  GitHub Issues    (Local ↔ External)
-.specweave/  ↔  Jira Epics       (Local ↔ External)
-.specweave/  ↔  ADO Work Items   (Local ↔ External)
 
-❌ WRONG:
-GitHub  ↔  Jira                  (External ↔ External - NO!)
+❌ **WRONG**:
 ```
-
-**When invoking PM agent**: Ensure it understands sync is **Local ↔ External**, not External ↔ External!
-
-## Activation Triggers
-
-This skill activates automatically when users say:
-- **Features**: "Plan a feature for...", "Create implementation plan for..."
-- **Hotfixes**: "Fix critical bug in production", "Emergency security patch"
-- **Bugs**: "Investigate memory leak", "Debug performance issue", "Root cause analysis for..."
-- **Change Requests**: "Stakeholder requested...", "Business wants to change..."
-- **Refactors**: "Refactor...", "Extract service layer", "Improve code quality"
-- **Experiments**: "Prototype...", "Evaluate...", "POC for...", "Spike work"
-- **General**: "Create increment for...", "Help me structure [work]", "Break down this work: ..."
-
----
-
-## 🆕 Multi-Project Support (v0.8.0+ | Flattened v0.16.11+)
-
-**Key Changes**:
-- ✅ **CORRECT** (v0.16.11+): Specs organized with FLATTENED structure: `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/{project-id}/`
-- ❌ **OLD** (v0.8.0-v0.16.10): `.specweave/docs/internal/projects/{project-id}/specs/` (DEPRECATED nested structure)
-- Use `ProjectManager` (from `src/core/project-manager.ts`) to get correct paths (always returns flattened structure)
-- Single project uses `specs/default/` automatically (transparent)
-- Multi-project mode allows multiple teams/repos
-- Parent repo content goes to `specs/_parent/` (for multi-repo setups with parent repositories)
-
-**Path Resolution**:
-```typescript
-import { ProjectManager } from '../../core/project-manager';
-
-const projectManager = new ProjectManager(projectRoot);
-const activeProject = projectManager.getActiveProject();
-
-// Get correct paths for active project (flattened structure v0.16.11+)
-const specsPath = projectManager.getSpecsPath();  // specs/{activeProject.id}/
-const modulesPath = projectManager.getModulesPath();  // modules/{activeProject.id}/
-const teamPath = projectManager.getTeamPath();  // team/{activeProject.id}/
+0001              ← No description
+0002-feature      ← Too generic
+my-feature        ← No number
 ```
 
-**In PM Agent Instructions**:
-- DO NOT hardcode `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/`
-- USE ProjectManager to get correct path for active project
-- Living docs are created via `/specweave:sync-docs update` (not manually):
-  - Feature overviews: `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md`
-  - User stories: `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/{project}/FS-{number}/us-{id}-{slug}.md`
-
----
-
-## ⚠️ CRITICAL: Living Documentation Workflow
+### 2. NO Agent Spawning from Skills (CRITICAL)
 
-**MANDATORY**: Feature planner must orchestrate **BOTH** living docs and increment files.
+**Skills MUST NOT spawn content-generating agents via Task() tool.**
 
-### Correct Workflow (MUST FOLLOW)
+**Why**: Context explosion causes Claude Code crashes:
+- Skill (1500 lines) loads into context
+- Agent (600 lines) spawned
+- Agent output (2000+ lines) generated
+- **Total: 4000+ lines = CRASH** 💥
 
+**✅ SAFE Workflow**:
 ```
-User: "I want to build real-time price tracking"
-    ↓
-increment-planner skill
-    ↓
-STEP 1: Determine increment number and check for duplicates
-├─ Use the Bash tool to run: node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js next
-├─ Get next available increment number (e.g., "0021")
-├─ Get short name from user description
-├─ Check if increment already exists using: node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js check-increment {number}
-└─ If duplicate found, STOP and tell user: "Increment {number} already exists! Please use the existing increment."
-    ↓
-STEP 2: Scan existing docs
-├─ Read .specweave/docs/internal/strategy/ (existing requirements)
-├─ Read .specweave/docs/internal/architecture/adr/ (existing decisions)
-└─ Pass existing context to agents
-    ↓
-STEP 3: Invoke PM Agent (🚨 MANDATORY - USE TASK TOOL)
-
-YOU MUST USE THE TASK TOOL - DO NOT SKIP:
-
-Task(
-  subagent_type: "specweave:pm:pm",
-  description: "PM product strategy",
-  prompt: "Create product strategy for: [user feature description]
-
-  Context from existing docs: [summary of strategy docs from Step 1]
-
-  You MUST create living Spec (living docs - source of truth) AND optionally create increment spec.md:
-
-  1. Spec (living docs - SOURCE OF TRUTH, permanent):
-     - IMPORTANT: Living docs are created via `/specweave:sync-docs update` (not manually)
-     - Structure (v0.18.0+ - three-layer architecture):
-       * Feature overview: `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md`
-       * User stories: `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/{project}/FS-{number}/us-*.md`
-     - This is the COMPLETE, PERMANENT source of truth
-     - Include ALL of:
-       * User stories (US-001, US-002, etc.) with full details
-       * Acceptance criteria (AC-US1-01, etc.)
-       * Functional requirements (FR-001, etc.)
-       * Non-functional requirements (NFR-001, etc.)
-       * Success criteria (metrics, KPIs)
-       * Test strategy
-     - This spec can be linked to Jira/ADO/GitHub Issues
-     - Spec persists even after increment completes
-     - No line limit (be thorough, this is source of truth)
-
-  2. Strategy docs (optional, high-level ONLY):
-     - IF this is a NEW module/product, create:
-       .specweave/docs/internal/strategy/{module-name}/
-       * overview.md (high-level product vision, market opportunity, personas)
-       * business-case.md (optional - ROI, competitive analysis)
-     - IMPORTANT:
-       * ❌ NO detailed user stories (those go in living spec.md)
-       * ❌ NO detailed requirements (those go in living spec.md)
-       * ❌ NO acceptance criteria (those go in living spec.md)
-       * ✅ ONLY strategic, high-level business context
-
-  3. Increment spec.md (optional, can duplicate living spec):
-     - Create .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/spec.md
-     - This CAN duplicate content from living spec.md (temporary reference - that's OK!)
-     - OR it can just reference the spec: \"See [FS-{number}](../../docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md) for complete requirements\"
-     - Increment spec.md may be deleted after increment completes
-     - Living spec.md persists as permanent documentation
-
-  Tech stack: [detected tech stack]"
-)
-
-Wait for PM agent to complete!
-    ↓
-STEP 4: Invoke Architect Agent (🚨 MANDATORY - USE TASK TOOL)
-
-YOU MUST USE THE TASK TOOL - DO NOT SKIP:
-
-Task(
-  subagent_type: "specweave:architect:architect",
-  description: "Architect technical design",
-  prompt: "Create technical architecture for: [user feature description]
-
-  FIRST, read PM's strategy docs from .specweave/docs/internal/strategy/{module}/
-
-  You MUST create BOTH living docs AND increment files:
-
-  1. Living docs (source of truth):
-     - Update .specweave/docs/internal/architecture/system-design.md
-     - Create .specweave/docs/internal/architecture/adr/ (at least 3 ADRs):
-       * ####-websocket-vs-polling.md
-       * ####-database-choice.md
-       * ####-deployment-platform.md
-     - Create diagrams/{module}/ (Mermaid C4 diagrams)
-     - Create data-models/{module}-schema.sql
-
-  2. Increment file:
-     - Create .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/plan.md
-     - Keep plan.md < 500 lines (summary only)
-     - MUST reference living docs
-     - Include links to ../../docs/internal/architecture/adr/
-
-  Tech stack: [detected tech stack]"
-)
-
-Wait for Architect agent to complete!
-    ↓
-STEP 5: Invoke Test-Aware Planner Agent (🚨 MANDATORY - USE TASK TOOL)
-
-YOU MUST USE THE TASK TOOL - DO NOT SKIP:
-
-Task(
-  subagent_type: "specweave:test-aware-planner:test-aware-planner",
-  description: "Generate tasks with embedded tests",
-  prompt: "Create tasks.md with embedded test plans for: [user feature description]
-
-  FIRST, read the increment files:
-  - .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/spec.md (user stories with AC-IDs)
-  - .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/plan.md (technical architecture)
-
-  You MUST create tasks.md with embedded test plans:
-
-  Generate .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/tasks.md:
-  - Parse spec.md for user stories (US1, US2) and AC-IDs (AC-US1-01, etc.)
-  - Parse plan.md for technical architecture and test strategy
-  - Generate tasks with embedded test plans (NO separate tests.md)
-  - Each task includes:
-    * Test Plan (Given/When/Then in BDD format)
-    * Test Cases (unit/integration/E2E with file paths and function names)
-    * Coverage Targets (80-90% overall)
-    * Implementation steps
-    * TDD workflow (if test_mode: TDD)
-  - For non-testable tasks (docs, config): Use Validation section
-  - Ensure all AC-IDs from spec.md are covered
-
-  Follow the workflow in plugins/specweave/agents/test-aware-planner/AGENT.md
-  Use templates from plugins/specweave/agents/test-aware-planner/templates/
-
-  Tech stack: [detected tech stack]"
-)
-
-Wait for test-aware-planner agent to complete!
-    ↓
-STEP 6: Validate Living Docs and Increment Files
-├─ Check `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md` exists (SOURCE OF TRUTH)
-├─ Check living spec.md contains ALL user stories, requirements, AC-IDs (with AC-IDs)
-├─ Check .specweave/docs/internal/architecture/adr/ has ≥3 ADRs
-├─ Check strategy docs (if created) are high-level only (no detailed user stories)
-├─ Check .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/spec.md references or duplicates living spec
-├─ Check .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/plan.md references architecture docs
-├─ Check .specweave/increments/{number}-{name}/tasks.md has embedded test plans
-└─ Check tasks.md covers ALL AC-IDs from living spec.md
-    ↓
-✅ SUCCESS: Living spec created (permanent), increment created (temporary)
+1. Skill creates basic templates (50 lines each)
+2. Skill outputs: "Tell Claude: 'Complete spec for increment 0005'"
+3. Agent activates in MAIN context (NOT nested) = SAFE
 ```
 
-### What Gets Created
+### 3. metadata.json is MANDATORY
 
-#### Living Spec (Living Docs - Source of Truth) ✅
-```
-.specweave/docs/internal/specs/
-├── _features/                       # ← Cross-project feature overviews (v0.18.0+)
-│   └── FS-{number}/
-│       └── FEATURE.md               # ← Feature summary (created via sync-docs)
-└── {project-id}/                    # ← Project-specific user stories
-    └── FS-{number}/
-        ├── README.md                # ← Project context
-        └── us-*.md                  # ← User story details (created via sync-docs)
-                                     # COMPLETE user stories, AC, requirements
-                                     # This is the PERMANENT source of truth
-                                     # Can be linked to Jira/ADO/GitHub Issues
-                                     # Persists after increment completes
-
-# Examples (v0.18.0+ Three-Layer):
-# Feature overview: specs/_features/FS-001/FEATURE.md
-# User stories: specs/specweave/FS-001/us-001-user-auth.md, us-002-password-reset.md
-#               specs/mobile/FS-002/us-001-push-notifications.md
-#               specs/backend/FS-003/us-001-api-auth.md
-
-# OLD (v0.17.x): specs/{project}/spec-{number}-{name}.md ← DEPRECATED
-# OLD (v0.8.0-v0.16.10): projects/default/specs/... ← DEPRECATED
-```
+Every increment MUST have `metadata.json` or:
+- ❌ Status tracking broken
+- ❌ WIP limits don't work
+- ❌ External sync fails (GitHub/Jira/ADO)
+- ❌ All increment commands fail
 
-#### Strategy Docs (Optional, High-Level) ⚠️
-```
-.specweave/docs/internal/strategy/
-└── {module}/                        # ← PM Agent (only if NEW module)
-    ├── overview.md                  # High-level product vision, market opportunity
-    └── business-case.md             # (optional) ROI, competitive analysis
-
-❌ NO requirements.md (goes in living spec.md)
-❌ NO user-stories.md (goes in living spec.md)
-❌ NO success-criteria.md (goes in living spec.md)
+**Complete template** (values from `.specweave/config.json`):
+```json
+{
+  "id": "0001-feature-name",
+  "status": "planned",
+  "type": "feature",
+  "priority": "P1",
+  "created": "2025-11-24T12:00:00Z",
+  "lastActivity": "2025-11-24T12:00:00Z",
+  "testMode": "<FROM config.testing.defaultTestMode OR 'TDD'>",
+  "coverageTarget": <FROM config.testing.defaultCoverageTarget OR 95>,
+  "feature_id": null,
+  "epic_id": null,
+  "externalLinks": {}
+}
 ```
 
-#### Architecture Docs (Living Documentation) ✅
-```
-.specweave/docs/internal/architecture/
-├── system-design.md              # ← Architect updates this
-├── adr/                          # ← Architect creates ADRs
-│   ├── ####-websocket-vs-polling.md
-│   ├── ####-database-choice.md
-│   └── ####-deployment-platform.md
-├── diagrams/                     # ← Architect creates diagrams
-│   └── {module}/
-│       ├── system-context.mmd    # C4 Level 1
-│       └── system-container.mmd  # C4 Level 2
-└── data-models/
-    └── {module}-schema.sql
-```
+**NOTE**: Always read `testMode` and `coverageTarget` from config, don't hardcode!
+
+### 4. Increment Structure
 
-#### Increment Files (Temporary Implementation Tracker) ✅
+**Complete directory structure**:
 ```
 .specweave/increments/0001-feature-name/
-├── spec.md                 # ← PM Agent (CAN duplicate living spec.md - temporary reference)
-│                           #    OR just reference: "See SPEC-0001-feature-name"
-│                           #    May be deleted after increment completes
-├── plan.md                 # ← Architect Agent (technical design, references ADRs)
-├── tasks.md                # ← test-aware-planner Agent (tasks with embedded test plans)
-│                           #    v0.7.0+: Tests embedded in each task (BDD format)
-│                           #    Each task includes: Test Plan, Given/When/Then, test files
-└── context-manifest.yaml   # ← increment-planner creates
+├── spec.md          # WHAT & WHY (user stories, acceptance criteria)
+├── plan.md          # HOW (technical design, architecture)
+├── tasks.md         # STEPS (implementation tasks with embedded tests)
+└── metadata.json    # Metadata (MANDATORY)
 ```
 
-**v0.7.0 Architecture Pivot**: tests.md eliminated, tests are now embedded directly in tasks.md
-
-**Key Difference**:
-- **Living spec.md** = Permanent source of truth (persists after increment)
-- **Increment spec.md** = Temporary reference (can be deleted after increment)
+**NO separate tests.md** - tests embedded in tasks.md (v0.7.0+)
 
 ---
 
-### Validation Rules (MANDATORY)
-
-Before completing feature planning, verify:
-
-**Living Spec (Living Docs - Source of Truth, Mandatory)**:
-- [ ] `.specweave/docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md` exists (created via sync-docs)
-- [ ] Living spec.md contains ALL user stories (US-001, US-002, etc.) with full details
-- [ ] Living spec.md contains ALL acceptance criteria (AC-US1-01, etc.)
-- [ ] Living spec.md contains ALL requirements (FR-001, NFR-001, etc.)
-- [ ] Living spec.md contains success criteria (metrics, KPIs)
-- [ ] Living spec.md may reference `../../strategy/{module}/overview.md` for context
-- [ ] No line limit on living spec.md (be thorough - this is permanent!)
-
-**Strategy Docs (Optional)**:
-- [ ] If created, `.specweave/docs/internal/strategy/{module}/overview.md` is high-level only
-- [ ] No detailed user stories in strategy docs (US-001, etc. - those go in Spec)
-- [ ] No detailed requirements in strategy docs (FR-001, NFR-001, etc. - those go in Spec)
-- [ ] Strategy docs provide business context only (market, opportunity, personas)
-
-**Architecture Docs (Mandatory)**:
-- [ ] `.specweave/docs/internal/architecture/adr/` has ≥3 ADRs
-- [ ] ADRs follow template (Context, Decision, Alternatives, Consequences)
-- [ ] Diagrams created for module (system-context, system-container)
-
-**Increment spec.md (Optional - can duplicate living spec)**:
-- [ ] `spec.md` either duplicates living spec.md OR references it ("See [FS-{number}](../../docs/internal/specs/_features/FS-{number}/FEATURE.md)")
-- [ ] If duplicated, content matches living spec.md
-
-**Increment plan.md (Mandatory)**:
-- [ ] `plan.md` references architecture docs (`../../docs/internal/architecture/adr/`)
-- [ ] `plan.md` contains technical implementation details
-
-**Increment tasks.md (Mandatory, v0.7.0+)**:
-- [ ] `tasks.md` contains tasks with embedded test plans (NO separate tests.md)
-- [ ] Each testable task has Test Plan (Given/When/Then)
-- [ ] Each testable task has Test Cases (unit/integration/E2E)
-- [ ] Coverage targets specified (80-90% overall)
-- [ ] ALL AC-IDs from Spec spec.md are covered by tasks
-- [ ] Non-testable tasks have Validation section
-
-**Agents Followed Process**:
-- [ ] PM Agent created Spec spec.md as permanent source of truth
-- [ ] PM Agent scanned existing strategy docs before creating new ones
-- [ ] Architect Agent read Spec spec.md before creating architecture
-- [ ] Architect created ADRs for ALL technical decisions
-- [ ] test-aware-planner Agent read Spec spec.md and plan.md before creating tasks.md
-- [ ] test-aware-planner covered ALL AC-IDs from Spec with tasks
-
----
-
-## Feature Planning Process
-
-### Step 1: Analyze Feature Description
-
-When a user provides a feature description:
-
-1. **Extract Requirements**:
-   - What is the core user value?
-   - Why is this feature needed?
-   - What problem does it solve?
-
-2. **Identify Scope**:
-   - What functionality is included?
-   - What is explicitly excluded?
-   - Are there dependencies?
-
-3. **Determine Priority**:
-   - P1 (Critical): Must-have for MVP
-   - P2 (Important): High-value enhancement
-   - P3 (Nice-to-have): Polish and optimization
-
-### Step 2: Generate Short Name
-
-From feature description, create a short name following these rules:
-
-1. **Extract Keywords**:
-   - Remove stop words (the, a, an, for, with, etc.)
-   - Identify 2-4 most meaningful words
-   - Use action-noun format where possible
+## Workflow (Safe, Self-Contained)
 
-2. **Format**:
-   - Lowercase
-   - Hyphen-separated
-   - Max 50 characters
-   - Example: `stripe-payment-integration` from "Integrate Stripe payment processing"
+### STEP 0: Read Config Values (MANDATORY)
 
-3. **Validate**:
-   - Check for existing features with similar names
-   - Ensure uniqueness
-   - Avoid abbreviations unless well-known
+**Read testing configuration from `.specweave/config.json`**:
 
-### Step 3: Auto-Number Feature
+```bash
+# Read testMode (default: "TDD")
+testMode=$(cat .specweave/config.json | jq -r '.testing.defaultTestMode // "TDD"')
 
-Determine the next feature number:
+# Read coverageTarget (default: 95)
+coverageTarget=$(cat .specweave/config.json | jq -r '.testing.defaultCoverageTarget // 95')
 
-1. **Scan Existing**:
-   - Read `.specweave/increments/` directory
-   - Extract all `0001-9999` prefixes (4-digit format)
-   - Also check legacy `001-999` formats (3-digit) to prevent conflicts
-   - Find highest number
+echo "Using testMode: $testMode"
+echo "Using coverageTarget: $coverageTarget"
+```
 
-2. **Increment**:
-   - Add 1 to highest number
-   - Zero-pad to 4 digits (e.g., 0001, 0002, ..., 0010, 0011, ..., 0999, 1000, ..., 9999)
+**Store these values for use in STEP 4 and STEP 7!**
 
-3. **Duplicate Detection**:
-   - Check if increment number already exists
-   - Throw error if duplicate found (prevents creating 0002 when 0002 exists)
-   - This prevents the naming conflict shown in the image where two 0002-* increments existed
+### STEP 1: Get Next Increment Number
 
-4. **Create Path**:
-   - Format: `.specweave/increments/0001-short-name/`
-   - Example: `.specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/`
+Use helper script:
+```bash
+node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js next
+# Returns: "0021"
+```
 
-### Step 4: Create Feature Structure
+Or manually scan:
+```bash
+ls -1 .specweave/increments/ | grep -E '^[0-9]{4}-' | sort | tail -1
+# Get highest number, add 1
+```
 
-Generate the complete feature directory with all required files:
+### STEP 2: Check for Duplicates
 
-```
-.specweave/increments/####-short-name/
-├── spec.md                 # Feature specification (WHAT and WHY)
-├── plan.md                 # Implementation plan (HOW)
-├── tasks.md                # Executable tasks (STEPS) with embedded test plans (v0.7.0+)
-├── metadata.json           # Increment metadata (MANDATORY - v0.24.5+)
-└── context-manifest.yaml   # Context loading specification
+```bash
+node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js check-increment 0021
+# If exists: STOP and inform user
 ```
 
-**v0.7.0 Change**: tests.md eliminated - tests are now embedded in each task in tasks.md
+### STEP 3: Create Directory Structure
 
-**⚠️ CRITICAL (v0.24.5+)**: `metadata.json` is **MANDATORY** regardless of invocation method (natural language prompt or `/specweave:increment`). Without it:
-- ❌ Status line shows nothing (no active increment tracking)
-- ❌ WIP limits don't work (can't count active increments)
-- ❌ External sync breaks (no GitHub/JIRA/ADO links)
-- ❌ All increment management commands fail (`/status`, `/pause`, `/resume`, `/done`)
+```bash
+mkdir -p .specweave/increments/0021-feature-name
+```
 
-### Step 5: Generate spec.md
+### STEP 4: Create spec.md Template
 
-**Purpose**: Define WHAT this feature does and WHY it's needed.
+Create `.specweave/increments/0021-feature-name/spec.md`:
 
-**Structure**:
-```yaml
+```markdown
 ---
-feature: 0001-short-name
-title: "Human-Readable Feature Title"
-priority: P1 | P2 | P3
+increment: 0021-feature-name
+title: "Feature Name"
+type: feature
+priority: P1
 status: planned
-created: YYYY-MM-DD
+created: 2025-11-24
+structure: user-stories
+test_mode: <VALUE FROM config.testing.defaultTestMode OR 'TDD'>
+coverage_target: <VALUE FROM config.testing.defaultCoverageTarget OR 95>
 ---
 
 # Feature: [Title]
 
 ## Overview
-[High-level description of the feature]
 
-## User Value
-[Why this feature matters to users]
+[High-level description - WHAT this feature does and WHY it's needed]
 
 ## User Stories
 
-### US1: [Title] (P1)
+### US-001: [Story Title] (P1)
+
 **As a** [user type]
 **I want** [goal]
 **So that** [benefit]
 
 **Acceptance Criteria**:
-- [ ] [Specific, measurable criterion]
-- [ ] [Another criterion]
+- [ ] **AC-US1-01**: [Specific, testable criterion]
+- [ ] **AC-US1-02**: [Another criterion]
+
+### US-002: [Story Title] (P2)
 
-### US2: [Title] (P2)
-...
+[Repeat structure]
 
 ## Functional Requirements
 
 ### FR-001: [Requirement]
 [Detailed description]
 
-### FR-002: [Requirement]
-...
-
 ## Success Criteria
-[Measurable outcomes that define feature success]
-
-## Out of Scope
-[What this feature explicitly does NOT include]
-
-## Dependencies
-[Other features or systems this depends on]
-
-## References
-- [Related specs]
-- [Architecture docs]
-- [ADRs]
-```
-
-**Key Principles**:
-- Technology-agnostic (no HOW, only WHAT and WHY)
-- Focused on user value
-- Measurable acceptance criteria
-- Prioritized user stories (P1/P2/P3)
-
-### Step 6: Check PM Tool Configuration (PM SYNC)
-
-**Purpose**: Check if external PM tool sync is configured for automatic increment tracking.
-
-**Why This Matters**: PM tool integration enables automatic sync of increment progress to external systems (GitHub Issues, Jira, Azure DevOps).
-
-**⚠️ NOTE**: All SpecWeave plugins (19+) are already installed during `specweave init`. No plugin detection or installation needed!
-
-**Check External PM Tool Configuration**:
-
-1. **Read `.specweave/config.json`**:
-   - If `externalPM.enabled = true` and `externalPM.tool` is set:
-     - Corresponding plugin is already installed (specweave-github, specweave-jira, or specweave-ado)
-     - Prepare to auto-create external issue/work item after increment creation
-   - If `externalPM.enabled = false` or not configured:
-     - Skip PM tool sync (local-only mode)
-
-2. **Auto-Sync to PM Tool** (v0.8.0+):
-
-   **🚨 CRITICAL: SpecWeave Repo Dog-Food Requirement**:
-   - IF repo = "anton-abyzov/specweave"
-     - Read `.specweave/config.json`
-     - Check: `plugins.settings.specweave-github.repo = "anton-abyzov/specweave"`
-     - IF NOT configured → ❌ **HARD ERROR** (block increment creation):
-       ```
-       ❌ SpecWeave repo MUST use GitHub sync!
-
-       This is a "dog food" requirement (ADR-0007):
-       - SpecWeave demonstrates its own features
-       - GitHub Issues show public progress
-       - Community can track development
-
-       Fix: Create .specweave/config.json with GitHub settings
-       See: CLAUDE.md for config structure
-       ```
-     - IF configured → Continue to auto-sync (required)
-
-   **For All Other Repos** (normal behavior):
-   - **If PM tool configured and plugin installed**:
-     ```
-     🔗 External PM Tool Sync:
-        Tool: GitHub Issues
-        Auto-sync: Enabled
-
-     Creating GitHub issue for increment 0007-user-authentication...
-     ✅ GitHub Issue #42 created
-        URL: https://github.com/myorg/myapp/issues/42
-        Linked to: .specweave/increments/0007-user-authentication/metadata.json
-
-     Progress will sync automatically after each task completion!
-     ```
-   - **If PM tool configured but plugin NOT installed**:
-     ```
-     ⚠️  External PM Tool Configured: GitHub Issues
-        Plugin missing: specweave-github
-
-     To enable auto-sync: /plugin install specweave-github
-     Or continue without PM sync (local-only mode)
-     ```
-   - **If PM tool not configured**:
-     ```
-     ℹ️  No external PM tool configured (local-only mode)
-        To enable GitHub/Jira/ADO sync: Run project initialization or update config
-     ```
-
-6. **Wait for user to install** (don't block, but remind):
-   - If user proceeds without installing, remind them before task execution
-   - Skills from uninstalled plugins won't be available
-   - User can install later: plugins activate on next Claude Code session
-
-**When to Execute**:
-- ✅ After spec.md generation (Step 5 complete)
-- ✅ Before plan.md generation (gives context for planning)
-- ✅ After ALL increment files created (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md)
-- ❌ Don't block increment creation (plugins optional, not required)
-
-**Example Output (Full Flow)**:
-
-```
-📝 Increment created: 0007-user-authentication
 
-Files:
-• spec.md (user stories, acceptance criteria)
-• plan.md (technical architecture)
-• tasks.md (implementation steps with embedded tests)
+[Measurable outcomes - metrics, KPIs]
 
-🔗 External PM Tool Sync:
-   Tool: GitHub Issues
-   Plugin: specweave-github ✅ Installed
+## Out of Scope
 
-   Creating GitHub issue...
-   ✅ Issue #42 created: "Increment 0007: User Authentication"
-      URL: https://github.com/myorg/myapp/issues/42
+[What this explicitly does NOT include]
 
-   Auto-sync enabled:
-   • Progress updates posted after each task completion
-   • Issue closed automatically when increment done
+## Dependencies
 
-Next steps:
-1. Review spec.md - verify user stories
-2. Approve plan.md - validate architecture
-3. Start work: /specweave:do
+[Other features or systems this depends on]
 ```
 
-**Integration with Existing Workflow**:
-- All plugins are already installed during `specweave init` (no detection needed)
-- PM tool sync is **automatic** if configured (zero manual intervention)
-- Increment creation continues regardless of PM tool status
-- This implements the "seamless integration" philosophy
+### STEP 5: Create plan.md Template
 
-### Step 7: Generate plan.md
+Create `.specweave/increments/0021-feature-name/plan.md`:
 
-**Purpose**: Define HOW to implement the feature technically.
-
-**Structure**:
 ```markdown
 # Implementation Plan: [Feature Title]
 
 ## Overview
+
 [Technical summary of implementation approach]
 
 ## Architecture
 
 ### Components
-[List major components to build/modify]
+- [Component 1]: [Purpose]
+- [Component 2]: [Purpose]
 
 ### Data Model
-[Entities, relationships, schema changes]
+- [Entity 1]: [Fields, relationships]
+- [Entity 2]: [Fields, relationships]
 
 ### API Contracts
-[Endpoints, methods, request/response formats]
+- `POST /api/resource`: [Purpose, request/response]
+- `GET /api/resource/:id`: [Purpose, request/response]
 
-### Integration Points
-[External services, internal modules]
+## Technology Stack
 
-## Technology Decisions
+- **Language/Framework**: [Choice]
+- **Libraries**: [List]
+- **Tools**: [List]
 
-### Technology Stack
-- [Language/framework]
-- [Libraries]
-- [Tools]
+**Architecture Decisions**:
+- [Decision 1]: [Why this choice? Alternatives considered?]
+- [Decision 2]: [Rationale]
 
-### ADRs Required
-- [List architecture decisions to document]
-
-## Implementation Approach
+## Implementation Phases
 
 ### Phase 1: Foundation
-[Setup, infrastructure, base components]
+- [Setup, infrastructure, base components]
 
 ### Phase 2: Core Functionality
-[Primary features from P1 user stories]
+- [Primary features from P1 user stories]
 
 ### Phase 3: Enhancement
-[P2 features and optimizations]
+- [P2 features and optimizations]
 
-### Phase 4: Polish
-[P3 features, error handling, edge cases]
+## Testing Strategy
+
+[High-level testing approach - details in tasks.md]
 
 ## Technical Challenges
 
 ### Challenge 1: [Description]
 **Solution**: [Approach]
-**Risk**: [Mitigation strategy]
-
-## File Structure
-```
-[Show directory structure of code to create/modify]
+**Risk**: [Mitigation]
 ```
 
-## Testing Strategy
-[High-level testing approach - tests embedded in tasks.md (v0.7.0+)]
-
-## Deployment Considerations
-[Infrastructure, environment, rollout]
-
-## Performance Targets
-[Response times, throughput, resource usage]
-
-## Security Considerations
-[Authentication, authorization, data protection]
-```
-
-**Key Principles**:
-- Technology-specific (HOW to build it)
-- Architectural decisions documented
-- Challenges and solutions identified
-- Constitutional compliance checked
-
-### Step 8: Generate tasks.md
+### STEP 6: Create tasks.md Template
 
-**Purpose**: Break down implementation into executable steps with intelligent model selection.
+Create `.specweave/increments/0021-feature-name/tasks.md`:
 
-**CRITICAL**: Use the model detection utility to assign optimal models to tasks:
-```typescript
-import { detectModelForTask, formatModelHint } from '../utils/model-selection';
-```
-
-**Structure**:
 ```markdown
 # Tasks: [Feature Title]
 
 ## Task Notation
 
-- `[T###]`: Sequential task ID
-- `[P]`: Parallelizable (no file conflicts)
-- `[US#]`: User story reference
+- `[T###]`: Task ID
+- `[P]`: Parallelizable
 - `[ ]`: Not started
 - `[x]`: Completed
-- Model hints: ⚡ haiku (fast), 🧠 sonnet (thinking), 💎 opus (critical)
+- Model hints: ⚡ haiku, 🧠 sonnet, 💎 opus
 
-## Phase 1: Setup and Foundation
+## Phase 1: Setup
 
 - [ ] [T001] [P] ⚡ haiku - Initialize project structure
-- [ ] [T002] [P] ⚡ haiku - Setup testing framework
-- [ ] [T003] ⚡ haiku - Install dependencies
+- [ ] [T002] ⚡ haiku - Setup testing framework
 
 ## Phase 2: Core Implementation
 
-### US1: [User Story Title] (P1)
-
-- [ ] [T004] ⚡ haiku - Write test for [component]
-- [ ] [T005] ⚡ haiku - Implement [component] in src/path/file.ts
-- [ ] [T006] [P] ⚡ haiku - Create [another component]
-- [ ] [T007] 🧠 sonnet - Integrate components (requires decision-making)
-- [ ] [T008] ⚡ haiku - Verify US1 acceptance criteria
-
-### US2: [User Story Title] (P2)
-
-- [ ] [T009] ⚡ haiku - Write test for [feature]
-- [ ] [T010] 🧠 sonnet - Implement [feature] (complex logic)
-...
-
-## Phase 3: Testing and Validation
-
-- [ ] [T050] Run integration tests
-- [ ] [T051] Performance testing
-- [ ] [T052] Security review
-- [ ] [T053] Documentation update
-
-## Phase 4: Deployment
-
-- [ ] [T060] Prepare deployment scripts
-- [ ] [T061] Staging deployment
-- [ ] [T062] Production deployment
-
-## Dependencies
-
-T005 depends on T004 (test must exist first)
-T007 depends on T005, T006 (components must exist)
-T051 depends on T050 (integration must pass first)
-```
+### US-001: [User Story Title] (P1)
 
-**Key Principles**:
-- Story-centric organization (not layer-centric)
-- Test-first sequence (tests before implementation)
-- Exact file paths specified
-- Parallelizable tasks marked `[P]`
-- Dependencies explicitly stated
-- **Model hints for cost optimization**: Each task labeled with optimal model
-  - ⚡ haiku: Clear instructions, mechanical work (3x faster, 20x cheaper)
-  - 🧠 sonnet: Complex decisions, creative problem-solving
-  - 💎 opus: Critical architecture (rare, use sparingly)
-
-**Model Selection Guidelines**:
-1. **Use Haiku (⚡) when**:
-   - Task has specific file path (e.g., `src/components/LoginForm.tsx`)
-   - Acceptance criteria are detailed (3+ specific points)
-   - Implementation approach is defined in plan.md
-   - Simple CRUD operations, configuration, setup tasks
-
-2. **Use Sonnet (🧠) when**:
-   - Task requires architecture decisions
-   - Multiple valid approaches exist
-   - Integration between components
-   - Complex business logic
-   - Error handling strategies
-
-3. **Use Opus (💎) when**:
-   - Critical system architecture
-   - Security-critical decisions
-   - Performance-critical algorithms
-   - Novel problem-solving required
-
-### Step 9: Embed Tests in tasks.md (v0.7.0+ Architecture)
-
-**Purpose**: Ensure every task includes comprehensive test plans directly in tasks.md.
-
-**v0.7.0 Architecture Pivot**: tests.md eliminated. Tests are now embedded in each task for:
-- ✅ Closer proximity to implementation (no sync issues)
-- ✅ Bidirectional AC↔Task↔Test linking
-- ✅ Test-first development (tests defined before implementation)
-- ✅ Clear traceability (each task knows its tests)
-
-**Task Structure with Embedded Tests**:
-```markdown
-### T-001: Implement login API endpoint
+#### T-003: Implement [component]
 
-**Description**: Create REST API endpoint for user authentication
+**Description**: [What needs to be done]
 
 **References**: AC-US1-01, AC-US1-02
 
 **Implementation Details**:
-- Validate email format
-- Check password against bcrypt hash
-- Generate JWT token
-- Return 401 for invalid credentials
+- [Step 1]
+- [Step 2]
 
 **Test Plan**:
-- **File**: `tests/unit/auth-service.test.ts`
+- **File**: `tests/unit/component.test.ts`
 - **Tests**:
-  - **TC-001**: Valid credentials
-    - Given valid email and password
-    - When POST /api/auth/login
-    - Then return 200 with JWT token
-  - **TC-002**: Invalid email
-    - Given malformed email
-    - When POST /api/auth/login
-    - Then return 401 with error message
-  - **TC-003**: Wrong password
-    - Given correct email, wrong password
-    - When POST /api/auth/login
-    - Then return 401, no details leaked
+  - **TC-001**: [Test name]
+    - Given [precondition]
+    - When [action]
+    - Then [expected result]
+  - **TC-002**: [Test name]
+    - Given [precondition]
+    - When [action]
+    - Then [expected result]
 
 **Dependencies**: None
-**Estimated Effort**: 4 hours
 **Status**: [ ] Not Started
-```
-
-**Key Features**:
-- **References**: Links to acceptance criteria (bidirectional traceability)
-- **Test Plan**: Specific test file and test functions
-- **BDD Format**: Given/When/Then for clarity
-- **Coverage**: Each testable task MUST have test plan
-
-**test-aware-planner Agent**:
-- Generates tasks.md with embedded tests
-- Ensures 80%+ coverage of testable tasks
-- Marks non-testable tasks (documentation, config)
-- Uses BDD format throughout
-
-**Validation**:
-- Use `/validate-coverage` to check AC and task coverage
-- Target: 80-90% coverage (not 100% - diminishing returns)
-- Integration with `/done` command (runs validation before completion)
-
-### Step 10: Generate context-manifest.yaml
-
-**Purpose**: Declare exactly what specifications, architecture docs, and ADRs are needed for this feature.
-
-**Structure**:
-```yaml
----
-# Context Manifest for Feature: 0001-short-name
-
-# Specification sections to load
-spec_sections:
-  - specs/modules/[relevant-module]/**/*.md
-  - specs/constitution.md#[relevant-article]
-  - specs/overview.md
-
-# Architecture documents to load
-architecture:
-  - architecture/system-design.md#[relevant-section]
-  - architecture/data/database-schema.md#[relevant-tables]
-  - architecture/[component]/[relevant-doc].md
-
-# Architecture Decision Records to reference
-adrs:
-  - adrs/0001-[relevant-decision].md
-
-# Context budget (max tokens to load)
-max_context_tokens: 10000
-
-# Priority level
-priority: high | medium | low
 
-# Auto-refresh context on spec changes
-auto_refresh: false
+## Phase 3: Testing
 
-# Related features
-related_features:
-  - 0001-[other-feature]
-
-# Tags for search and categorization
-tags:
-  - [category]
-  - [domain]
----
-```
-
-**Key Principles**:
-- Precision loading (only what's needed)
-- Section-level granularity (e.g., `#authentication-flow`)
-- Token budget to prevent bloat
-- Related features for dependency tracking
-
-### Step 11: Generate metadata.json (⚠️ MANDATORY - v0.24.5+)
-
-**Purpose**: Create increment metadata for status tracking, WIP limits, and external tool sync.
-
-**CRITICAL**: This step is **NON-NEGOTIABLE** regardless of how the increment was created (natural language prompt, `/specweave:increment`, or any other method).
-
-**Execution Workflow (MUST USE TOOLS)**:
-
-**STEP 1: Check if metadata.json exists**
-```
-Use Read tool:
-file_path: .specweave/increments/{incrementId}/metadata.json
-```
-
-**STEP 2: If missing (file not found), create it immediately**
-```
-Use Write tool:
-file_path: .specweave/increments/{incrementId}/metadata.json
-content: {
-  "id": "{incrementId}",
-  "status": "planned",
-  "type": "{type}",
-  "priority": "{priority}",
-  "created": "{ISO-8601-timestamp}",
-  "lastActivity": "{ISO-8601-timestamp}",
-  "testMode": "TDD",
-  "coverageTarget": 95,
-  "feature_id": null,
-  "epic_id": null,
-  "externalLinks": {}
-}
+- [ ] [T050] Run integration tests
+- [ ] [T051] Verify all acceptance criteria
 ```
 
-**Field Extraction (from spec.md frontmatter)**:
-- `id`: Increment directory name (e.g., "0001-user-authentication")
-- `type`: Extract from `type:` in spec.md frontmatter OR default to "feature"
-- `priority`: Extract from `priority:` in spec.md frontmatter OR default to "P1"
-- `created`/`lastActivity`: Current timestamp in ISO-8601 format (e.g., "2025-11-22T19:30:00Z")
-- `testMode`: Extract from `test_mode:` in spec.md frontmatter OR default to "TDD"
-- `coverageTarget`: Extract from `coverage_target:` in spec.md frontmatter OR default to 95
+### STEP 7: Create metadata.json (MANDATORY)
 
-**STEP 3: Validate creation succeeded**
-```
-Use Read tool again:
-file_path: .specweave/increments/{incrementId}/metadata.json
-```
+**IMPORTANT**: Read `testMode` and `coverageTarget` from `.specweave/config.json`:
 
-If Read succeeds, output:
-```
-✅ metadata.json created successfully
-   Status: planned
-   Type: {type}
-   Ready for /specweave:do
+```bash
+# Read config to get defaultTestMode and defaultCoverageTarget
+cat .specweave/config.json | jq -r '.testing.defaultTestMode // "TDD"'
+cat .specweave/config.json | jq -r '.testing.defaultCoverageTarget // 95'
 ```
 
-**Why This Cannot Be Skipped**:
-Without metadata.json, the increment is **effectively broken**:
-- Status line won't show it as active
-- WIP limit enforcement fails (infinite increments possible!)
-- All increment commands fail (`/status`, `/pause`, `/resume`, `/done`)
-- External tool sync (GitHub/JIRA/ADO) completely broken
-- Hooks can't detect the increment
+Create `.specweave/increments/0021-feature-name/metadata.json`:
 
-**Example metadata.json**:
 ```json
 {
-  "id": "0001-user-authentication",
+  "id": "0021-feature-name",
   "status": "planned",
   "type": "feature",
   "priority": "P1",
-  "created": "2025-11-22T19:30:00Z",
-  "lastActivity": "2025-11-22T19:30:00Z",
-  "testMode": "TDD",
-  "coverageTarget": 95,
+  "created": "2025-11-24T12:00:00Z",
+  "lastActivity": "2025-11-24T12:00:00Z",
+  "testMode": "<VALUE FROM config.testing.defaultTestMode OR 'TDD'>",
+  "coverageTarget": <VALUE FROM config.testing.defaultCoverageTarget OR 95>,
   "feature_id": null,
   "epic_id": null,
   "externalLinks": {}
 }
 ```
 
-**⚠️ ENFORCEMENT**: If you complete increment creation without creating metadata.json, you have **failed the task**. This is not optional.
-
-### Step 12: Validate and Finalize
-
-Before completing:
+**Use Write tool to create this file immediately after creating increment.**
 
-1. **Constitutional Compliance**:
-   - Article V: Modular Scalability (proper structure)
-   - Article VI: Separation of Concerns (spec vs plan vs tasks)
-   - Article IX: Testing Mandate (tasks.md with embedded tests comprehensive)
+**Example Logic**:
+```javascript
+// Read config
+const config = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('.specweave/config.json', 'utf8'));
+const testMode = config?.testing?.defaultTestMode || 'TDD';
+const coverageTarget = config?.testing?.defaultCoverageTarget || 95;
+
+// Create metadata with config values
+const metadata = {
+  id: "0021-feature-name",
+  status: "planned",
+  type: "feature",
+  priority: "P1",
+  created: new Date().toISOString(),
+  lastActivity: new Date().toISOString(),
+  testMode: testMode,  // ← FROM CONFIG!
+  coverageTarget: coverageTarget,  // ← FROM CONFIG!
+  feature_id: null,
+  epic_id: null,
+  externalLinks: {}
+};
+```
 
-2. **Quality Checks**:
-   - spec.md is technology-agnostic
-   - plan.md has sufficient technical detail + test strategy
-   - tasks.md has exact file paths + embedded test plans (BDD format)
-   - tasks.md covers all P1 AC-IDs with test cases
-   - **metadata.json exists and is valid** (v0.24.5+ MANDATORY)
-   - context-manifest.yaml is precise
+### STEP 8: Guide User to Complete Planning
 
-3. **Update Features Index**:
-   - Add feature to `features/README.md`
-   - Update current features list
+**Output this guidance to user**:
 
-4. **Notify User**:
-   - Feature number and path
-   - Next steps (review spec, approve plan)
-   - How to start implementation
+```
+✅ Increment structure created: .specweave/increments/0021-feature-name/
 
-## Best Practices
+📋 Basic templates created:
+   • spec.md (user stories, acceptance criteria)
+   • plan.md (technical design, architecture)
+   • tasks.md (implementation steps with test plans)
+   • metadata.json (increment metadata)
 
-### Writing Effective Specs
+🚀 To complete planning, run these commands in sequence:
 
-1. **Focus on User Value**:
-   - Start with "As a user, I want..."
-   - Explain WHY, not just WHAT
-   - Measurable success criteria
+1. Complete product specification:
+   Tell Claude: "Complete the spec for increment 0021-feature-name"
+   (PM expertise will activate automatically in main conversation)
 
-2. **Prioritize Ruthlessly**:
-   - P1: Must-have for MVP
-   - P2: Important but not blocking
-   - P3: Nice-to-have
+2. Create technical architecture:
+   Tell Claude: "Design architecture for increment 0021-feature-name"
+   (Architect will create detailed design in main conversation)
 
-3. **Be Specific**:
-   - Acceptance criteria are testable
-   - Out-of-scope is explicitly defined
-   - Dependencies are identified
+3. Generate implementation tasks:
+   Tell Claude: "Create tasks for increment 0021-feature-name"
+   (Test-aware planner will generate tasks with embedded tests)
 
-### Writing Effective Plans
+⚠️  These commands run in MAIN conversation (NOT nested agents) to prevent crashes!
+```
 
-1. **Document Decisions**:
-   - Why this technology choice?
-   - What alternatives were considered?
-   - What are the trade-offs?
+**DO NOT invoke Task() tool to spawn agents from this skill!**
 
-2. **Identify Challenges**:
-   - Technical risks
-   - Complexity areas
-   - Mitigation strategies
+---
 
-3. **Show Structure**:
-   - File organization
-   - Component relationships
-   - Integration points
+## Model Selection for Tasks
 
-### Writing Effective Tasks
+When creating tasks, assign optimal models:
 
-1. **Story-Centric Organization**:
-   - Group by user story, not by layer
-   - Enables independent implementation
-   - Supports incremental delivery
+**⚡ Haiku** (fast, cheap):
+- Clear instructions with specific file paths
+- Detailed acceptance criteria (3+ points)
+- Simple CRUD, configuration, setup
+- Mechanical work with defined approach
 
-2. **Test-First Sequencing**:
-   - Test task before implementation task
-   - Enforce TDD workflow
-   - Red-green-refactor
+**🧠 Sonnet** (thinking, balanced):
+- Architecture decisions
+- Multiple valid approaches
+- Integration between components
+- Complex business logic
+- Error handling strategies
 
-3. **Clear Dependencies**:
-   - Explicitly state what depends on what
-   - Identify parallelizable work
-   - Enable concurrent execution
+**💎 Opus** (critical, expensive):
+- Critical system architecture
+- Security-critical decisions
+- Performance-critical algorithms
+- Novel problem-solving
 
-## Example: Creating a Feature
+---
 
-### User Request
-"I want to add Stripe payment integration to handle subscriptions"
+## Validation Checklist
+
+Before marking increment planning complete, verify:
+
+**Increment Structure**:
+- [ ] Directory exists: `.specweave/increments/####-name/`
+- [ ] spec.md has valid YAML frontmatter
+- [ ] plan.md has technical design
+- [ ] tasks.md has embedded test plans (NO separate tests.md)
+- [ ] metadata.json exists and is valid
+
+**spec.md Content**:
+- [ ] User stories with AC-IDs (AC-US1-01, etc.)
+- [ ] Functional requirements
+- [ ] Success criteria (measurable)
+- [ ] Out of scope defined
+- [ ] Dependencies identified
+
+**plan.md Content**:
+- [ ] Components identified
+- [ ] Data model defined
+- [ ] API contracts specified
+- [ ] Technology choices explained
+- [ ] Architecture decisions documented
+
+**tasks.md Content**:
+- [ ] All tasks have embedded test plans
+- [ ] Test cases in BDD format (Given/When/Then)
+- [ ] All AC-IDs from spec covered by tasks
+- [ ] Model hints assigned (⚡🧠💎)
+- [ ] Dependencies explicitly stated
+
+**metadata.json Content**:
+- [ ] Valid JSON syntax
+- [ ] All required fields present
+- [ ] Status is "planned"
+- [ ] Type matches increment purpose
+- [ ] Timestamps in ISO-8601 format
 
-### Execution
+---
 
-**Step 1**: Analyze
-- Core value: Process recurring payments
-- Problem: Need subscription billing
-- Priority: P1 (required for MVP)
+## Helper Scripts
 
-**Step 2**: Short name
-- Keywords: stripe, payment, integration
-- Format: `stripe-payment-integration`
+Located in `plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/`:
 
-**Step 3**: Auto-number
-- Scan .specweave/increments/: 0001, 0002
-- Next: 0003
-- Path: `.specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/`
+**Get next increment number**:
+```bash
+node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js next
+```
 
-**Step 4**: Create structure (v0.7.0+)
+**Check for duplicates**:
+```bash
+node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/feature-utils.js check-increment 0021
 ```
-.specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/
-├── spec.md                  # WHAT & WHY
-├── plan.md                  # HOW + test strategy
-├── tasks.md                 # Implementation + embedded tests (BDD)
-└── context-manifest.yaml    # Context loading config
+
+**Generate short name from description**:
+```bash
+node plugins/specweave/skills/increment-planner/scripts/generate-short-name.js "Add user authentication"
+# Returns: "user-authentication"
 ```
 
-**Step 5**: Generate spec.md
-```yaml
----
-feature: 003-stripe-payment-integration
-title: "Stripe Payment Integration"
-priority: P1
-status: planned
-created: 2025-01-25
 ---
 
-# Feature: Stripe Payment Integration
+## Common Patterns
 
-## Overview
-Integrate Stripe to handle subscription payments...
+### Pattern 1: Simple Feature
 
-## User Stories
+**User request**: "Add user authentication"
 
-### US1: Process Subscription Payment (P1)
-As a customer
-I want to subscribe to a plan
-So that I can access premium features
+**Process**:
+1. Get next number: `0015`
+2. Generate short name: `user-authentication`
+3. Create: `.specweave/increments/0015-user-authentication/`
+4. Create templates (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md, metadata.json)
+5. Guide user to complete in main conversation
 
-Acceptance Criteria:
-- [ ] Customer can select subscription plan
-- [ ] Payment processed via Stripe
-- [ ] Subscription activated on success
-...
-```
-
-**Step 6**: Generate plan.md
-```markdown
-# Implementation Plan: Stripe Payment Integration
-
-## Technology Decisions
-- Stripe SDK: stripe-node v11.x
-- Backend: Express.js middleware
-- Frontend: Stripe Elements
-
-## Components
-- StripeService: Payment processing
-- SubscriptionController: API endpoints
-- WebhookHandler: Stripe events
-...
-```
+### Pattern 2: Critical Hotfix
 
-**Step 7**: Generate tasks.md
-```markdown
-# Tasks: Stripe Payment Integration
+**User request**: "Fix critical security vulnerability CVE-2024-1234"
 
-## Phase 2: Core Implementation
+**Process**:
+1. Get next number: `0016`
+2. Short name: `security-fix-cve-2024-1234`
+3. Type: `hotfix` (in metadata.json)
+4. Priority: `P1`
+5. Create templates with urgency markers
+6. Guide user to complete quickly
 
-### US1: Process Subscription Payment (P1)
+### Pattern 3: Bug Investigation
 
-- [ ] [T001] Write test for StripeService.createSubscription()
-- [ ] [T002] Implement StripeService in src/services/stripe-service.ts
-- [ ] [T003] [P] Create SubscriptionController in src/controllers/subscription.ts
-...
-```
+**User request**: "Investigate memory leak in production API"
 
-**Step 8**: Invoke test-aware-planner Agent (v0.7.0+)
-```typescript
-// Use Task tool to invoke test-aware-planner agent
-Task({
-  subagent_type: "specweave:test-aware-planner:test-aware-planner",
-  description: "Generate tasks with embedded tests",
-  prompt: `Create tasks.md with embedded test plans for Stripe payment integration.
-
-  Read increment files:
-  - .specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/spec.md
-  - .specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/plan.md
-
-  Generate tasks.md with:
-  - BDD test plans (Given/When/Then) per task
-  - Test cases (unit/integration/E2E with file paths)
-  - Coverage targets (80-90% overall)
-  - AC-ID traceability from spec.md`
-});
-```
+**Process**:
+1. Get next number: `0017`
+2. Short name: `memory-leak-investigation`
+3. Type: `bug` (in metadata.json)
+4. spec.md focuses on: What's broken? Expected vs actual? Impact?
+5. plan.md focuses on: Investigation approach, tools, hypothesis
+6. tasks.md focuses on: Investigation steps, fix implementation, verification
 
-**Step 9**: Generate context-manifest.yaml
-```yaml
-spec_sections:
-  - specs/modules/payments/overview.md
-  - specs/modules/payments/stripe/spec.md
-architecture:
-  - architecture/data/database-schema.md#subscriptions
-adrs:
-  - adrs/005-payment-provider-choice.md
-max_context_tokens: 8000
-priority: high
-```
+---
 
-**Step 10**: Generate metadata.json (⚠️ MANDATORY v0.24.5+)
-```typescript
-// Use Read tool to check if exists
-Read({ file_path: ".specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/metadata.json" });
-
-// If missing, use Write tool to create
-Write({
-  file_path: ".specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/metadata.json",
-  content: JSON.stringify({
-    "id": "0003-stripe-payment-integration",
-    "status": "planned",
-    "type": "feature",
-    "priority": "P1",
-    "created": "2025-11-22T19:30:00Z",
-    "lastActivity": "2025-11-22T19:30:00Z",
-    "testMode": "TDD",
-    "coverageTarget": 95,
-    "feature_id": null,
-    "epic_id": null,
-    "externalLinks": {}
-  }, null, 2)
-});
-
-// Validate creation succeeded
-Read({ file_path: ".specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/metadata.json" });
-```
+## Troubleshooting
 
-**Step 11**: Validate
-- ✅ spec.md is technology-agnostic with AC-IDs
-- ✅ plan.md documents Stripe SDK choice + test strategy
-- ✅ tasks.md has embedded test plans (BDD format)
-- ✅ tasks.md covers all P1 AC-IDs with tests
-- ✅ **metadata.json exists and is valid** (v0.24.5+ MANDATORY)
-- ✅ Constitutional compliance verified
+**Issue**: Feature number conflict
+**Solution**: Always run duplicate check before creating increment
 
-**Output**:
-```
-✅ Feature created: 0003-stripe-payment-integration
-
-Location: .specweave/increments/0003-stripe-payment-integration/
-Files created:
-- spec.md (12 user stories, 34 AC-IDs)
-- plan.md (5 phases, architecture diagrams, test strategy)
-- tasks.md (23 tasks with embedded tests, 85% coverage target)
-- metadata.json ✅ (status: planned, type: feature)
-- context-manifest.yaml
-
-Next steps:
-1. Review spec.md - verify user stories and acceptance criteria
-2. Approve plan.md - validate technical approach
-3. Start implementation: /specweave:do 0003
-```
+**Issue**: metadata.json missing after creation
+**Solution**: Verify Write tool succeeded, check file exists with Read tool
 
-## Helper Scripts
+**Issue**: Claude Code crashes during planning
+**Solution**: This skill creates templates only - completion happens in main conversation (NOT via nested agent spawning)
 
-### `scripts/create-feature.js`
+**Issue**: User stories don't have AC-IDs
+**Solution**: Ensure AC-IDs follow format: `AC-US{number}-{criteria}` (e.g., `AC-US1-01`)
 
-Creates feature directory structure and generates all files.
+**Issue**: Tasks missing test plans
+**Solution**: Each testable task MUST have Test Plan section with BDD format (Given/When/Then)
 
-**Usage**:
-```javascript
-const featurePlanner = require('./create-feature.js');
+---
 
-const feature = await featurePlanner.createFeature({
-  description: "Add Stripe payment integration",
-  priority: "P1",
-  # Configuration auto-detected
-});
+## Integration with External Tools
 
-console.log(`Created: .specweave/increments/${feature.number}-${feature.shortName}/`);
+**GitHub Issues**: After increment creation, optionally sync to GitHub:
+```bash
+/specweave-github:create-issue 0021
 ```
 
-### `scripts/generate-short-name.js`
-
-Generates short names from descriptions.
-
-**Usage**:
-```javascript
-const { generateShortName } = require('./generate-short-name.js');
-
-const shortName = generateShortName("Integrate Stripe payment processing");
-// Returns: "stripe-payment-integration"
+**Jira Epics**: Sync to Jira:
+```bash
+/specweave-jira:sync 0021
 ```
 
-### `scripts/next-feature-number.js`
-
-Determines next available feature number.
-
-**Usage**:
-```javascript
-const { getNextFeatureNumber } = require('./feature-utils.js');
-
-const next = getNextFeatureNumber(".specweave/increments/");
-// Returns: "0003"
+**Azure DevOps**: Sync to ADO work items:
+```bash
+/specweave-ado:create-workitem 0021
 ```
 
-## Constitutional Compliance
-
-This skill enforces:
-
-- **Article V**: Modular Scalability - Auto-numbered features prevent conflicts
-- **Article VI**: Separation of Concerns - spec vs plan vs tasks are distinct
-- **Article IX**: Testing Mandate - tasks.md with embedded tests ensures comprehensive testing (v0.7.0+)
-
-## Integration with Other Skills
-
-- **context-loader**: Uses context manifests to load relevant specs
-- **spec-author**: Collaborates on specification creation
-- **architect**: Collaborates on technical planning
-- **developer**: Consumes tasks.md for implementation
-- **docs-updater**: Updates features/README.md automatically
-
-## Troubleshooting
-
-### Issue: Feature number conflict
-**Solution**: The `incrementNumberExists()` function now prevents this by checking for duplicate numbers before creating new increments. If you see this error, use `getNextFeatureNumber()` to get the next available number.
-
-### Issue: Short name too long
-**Solution**: Use abbreviations for well-known terms (e.g., auth, api, db)
+---
 
-### Issue: Context manifest too broad
-**Solution**: Use section anchors (e.g., `#specific-section`) instead of full files
+## Best Practices
 
-### Issue: Legacy 3-digit increments (001, 002, 003)
-**Solution**: The utility now detects both 3-digit and 4-digit formats to prevent conflicts. New increments always use 4-digit format (0001-9999).
+**✅ DO**:
+- Always create metadata.json (MANDATORY)
+- Use descriptive increment names
+- Include AC-IDs in all acceptance criteria
+- Embed tests in tasks.md (NO separate tests.md)
+- Guide user to complete in main conversation
+- Check for duplicates before creating
+
+**❌ DON'T**:
+- Use bare numbers (0001) without description
+- Spawn agents from this skill (causes crashes)
+- Skip metadata.json creation
+- Create separate tests.md (deprecated v0.7.0+)
+- Reference SpecWeave internal docs/ADRs (users won't have them)
+- Over-plan in skill (keep templates simple)
 
 ---
 
-This skill ensures every SpecWeave feature is properly planned, structured, and ready for implementation with constitutional compliance and best practices built-in.
+**This skill is self-contained and works in ANY user project after `specweave init`.**