work-kit-cli 0.4.1 → 0.5.0

package/cli/src/config/workflow.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ export const PHASE_ORDER: PhaseName[] = [...PHASE_NAMES];
 // ── Prerequisites ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export const PHASE_PREREQUISITES: Record<PhaseName, PhaseName | null> = {
-  plan: null,
+  define: null,
+  plan: "define", // when define is fully skipped, validators treat the skipped phase as satisfied
   build: "plan",
   test: "build",
   review: "test",
@@ -36,55 +37,60 @@ type InclusionRule = "YES" | "skip" | "if UI" | "if DB" | "optional";
 
 const WORKFLOW_MATRIX: Record<Classification, Record<string, InclusionRule>> = {
   "bug-fix": {
+    "define/refine": "skip", "define/spec": "skip",
     "plan/clarify": "YES", "plan/investigate": "YES", "plan/sketch": "skip", "plan/scope": "skip",
     "plan/ux-flow": "skip", "plan/architecture": "skip", "plan/blueprint": "skip", "plan/audit": "skip",
     "build/setup": "skip", "build/migration": "skip", "build/red": "YES", "build/core": "YES",
     "build/ui": "if UI", "build/refactor": "skip", "build/integration": "skip", "build/commit": "YES",
-    "test/verify": "YES", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "YES",
+    "test/verify": "YES", "test/browser": "skip", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "YES",
     "review/self-review": "YES", "review/security": "skip", "review/performance": "skip",
     "review/compliance": "skip", "review/handoff": "YES",
     "deploy/merge": "YES", "deploy/monitor": "optional", "deploy/remediate": "optional",
     "wrap-up/summary": "YES", "wrap-up/knowledge": "skip",
   },
   "small-change": {
+    "define/refine": "skip", "define/spec": "skip",
     "plan/clarify": "YES", "plan/investigate": "skip", "plan/sketch": "skip", "plan/scope": "skip",
     "plan/ux-flow": "skip", "plan/architecture": "skip", "plan/blueprint": "skip", "plan/audit": "skip",
     "build/setup": "skip", "build/migration": "skip", "build/red": "skip", "build/core": "YES",
     "build/ui": "if UI", "build/refactor": "skip", "build/integration": "skip", "build/commit": "YES",
-    "test/verify": "YES", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "skip",
+    "test/verify": "YES", "test/browser": "skip", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "skip",
     "review/self-review": "YES", "review/security": "skip", "review/performance": "skip",
     "review/compliance": "skip", "review/handoff": "YES",
     "deploy/merge": "YES", "deploy/monitor": "optional", "deploy/remediate": "optional",
     "wrap-up/summary": "YES", "wrap-up/knowledge": "skip",
   },
   refactor: {
+    "define/refine": "skip", "define/spec": "skip",
     "plan/clarify": "YES", "plan/investigate": "YES", "plan/sketch": "skip", "plan/scope": "skip",
     "plan/ux-flow": "skip", "plan/architecture": "skip", "plan/blueprint": "skip", "plan/audit": "skip",
     "build/setup": "skip", "build/migration": "skip", "build/red": "skip", "build/core": "YES",
     "build/ui": "if UI", "build/refactor": "YES", "build/integration": "skip", "build/commit": "YES",
-    "test/verify": "YES", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "skip",
+    "test/verify": "YES", "test/browser": "skip", "test/e2e": "skip", "test/validate": "skip",
     "review/self-review": "YES", "review/security": "skip", "review/performance": "YES",
     "review/compliance": "skip", "review/handoff": "YES",
     "deploy/merge": "YES", "deploy/monitor": "optional", "deploy/remediate": "optional",
     "wrap-up/summary": "YES", "wrap-up/knowledge": "YES",
   },
   feature: {
+    "define/refine": "YES", "define/spec": "YES",
     "plan/clarify": "YES", "plan/investigate": "YES", "plan/sketch": "YES", "plan/scope": "YES",
     "plan/ux-flow": "if UI", "plan/architecture": "YES", "plan/blueprint": "YES", "plan/audit": "skip",
     "build/setup": "YES", "build/migration": "if DB", "build/red": "YES", "build/core": "YES",
     "build/ui": "if UI", "build/refactor": "skip", "build/integration": "YES", "build/commit": "YES",
-    "test/verify": "YES", "test/e2e": "if UI", "test/validate": "YES",
+    "test/verify": "YES", "test/browser": "if UI", "test/e2e": "if UI", "test/validate": "YES",
     "review/self-review": "YES", "review/security": "YES", "review/performance": "skip",
     "review/compliance": "YES", "review/handoff": "YES",
     "deploy/merge": "YES", "deploy/monitor": "optional", "deploy/remediate": "optional",
     "wrap-up/summary": "YES", "wrap-up/knowledge": "YES",
   },
   "large-feature": {
+    "define/refine": "YES", "define/spec": "YES",
     "plan/clarify": "YES", "plan/investigate": "YES", "plan/sketch": "YES", "plan/scope": "YES",
     "plan/ux-flow": "if UI", "plan/architecture": "YES", "plan/blueprint": "YES", "plan/audit": "YES",
     "build/setup": "YES", "build/migration": "if DB", "build/red": "YES", "build/core": "YES",
     "build/ui": "if UI", "build/refactor": "YES", "build/integration": "YES", "build/commit": "YES",
-    "test/verify": "YES", "test/e2e": "YES", "test/validate": "YES",
+    "test/verify": "YES", "test/browser": "if UI", "test/e2e": "YES", "test/validate": "YES",
     "review/self-review": "YES", "review/security": "YES", "review/performance": "YES",
     "review/compliance": "YES", "review/handoff": "YES",
     "deploy/merge": "YES", "deploy/monitor": "optional", "deploy/remediate": "optional",

package/cli/src/index.ts

@@ -361,8 +361,8 @@ program
 
 program
   .command("learn")
-  .description("Append a knowledge entry (lesson/convention/risk/workflow) to .work-kit-knowledge/")
-  .requiredOption("--type <type>", "Entry type: lesson, convention, risk, workflow")
+  .description("Append a knowledge entry (lesson/convention/risk/workflow/decision) to .work-kit-knowledge/")
+  .requiredOption("--type <type>", "Entry type: lesson, convention, risk, workflow, decision")
   .requiredOption("--text <text>", "Free-form text. Secrets are auto-redacted at write time.")
   .option("--scope <glob>", "Optional path glob (stored, not yet used for filtering)")
   .option("--phase <phase>", "Override session phase auto-fill")

package/cli/src/state/helpers.test.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function makeState(): WorkKitState {
     phases[phase] = { status: "pending", steps };
   }
   return {
-    version: 2,
+    version: 3,
     slug: "test",
     branch: "feature/test",
     started: "2026-01-01",

package/cli/src/state/schema.ts

@@ -1,15 +1,17 @@
 // ── Phase & Step Types ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-export const PHASE_NAMES = ["plan", "build", "test", "review", "deploy", "wrap-up"] as const;
+export const PHASE_NAMES = ["define", "plan", "build", "test", "review", "deploy", "wrap-up"] as const;
 export type PhaseName = (typeof PHASE_NAMES)[number];
 
+export const DEFINE_STEPS = ["refine", "spec"] as const;
 export const PLAN_STEPS = ["clarify", "investigate", "sketch", "scope", "ux-flow", "architecture", "blueprint", "audit"] as const;
 export const BUILD_STEPS = ["setup", "migration", "red", "core", "ui", "refactor", "integration", "commit"] as const;
-export const TEST_STEPS = ["verify", "e2e", "validate"] as const;
+export const TEST_STEPS = ["verify", "e2e", "browser", "validate"] as const;
 export const REVIEW_STEPS = ["self-review", "security", "performance", "compliance", "handoff"] as const;
 export const DEPLOY_STEPS = ["merge", "monitor", "remediate"] as const;
 export const WRAPUP_STEPS = ["summary", "knowledge"] as const;
 
+export type DefineStep = (typeof DEFINE_STEPS)[number];
 export type PlanStep = (typeof PLAN_STEPS)[number];
 export type BuildStep = (typeof BUILD_STEPS)[number];
 export type TestStep = (typeof TEST_STEPS)[number];
@@ -17,9 +19,10 @@ export type ReviewStep = (typeof REVIEW_STEPS)[number];
 export type DeployStep = (typeof DEPLOY_STEPS)[number];
 export type WrapUpStep = (typeof WRAPUP_STEPS)[number];
 
-export type StepName = PlanStep | BuildStep | TestStep | ReviewStep | DeployStep | WrapUpStep;
+export type StepName = DefineStep | PlanStep | BuildStep | TestStep | ReviewStep | DeployStep | WrapUpStep;
 
 export const STEPS_BY_PHASE: Record<PhaseName, readonly string[]> = {
+  define: DEFINE_STEPS,
   plan: PLAN_STEPS,
   build: BUILD_STEPS,
   test: TEST_STEPS,
@@ -87,6 +90,7 @@ export const STEP_OUTCOMES = [
   "changes_requested",   // review handoff requested changes
   "fix_needed",          // deploy merge blocked, fix required
   "fix_and_redeploy",    // remediation requires another deploy cycle
+  "needs_debug",         // step hit an error it can't resolve — invoke wk-debug, then return
   "blocked",             // step cannot proceed without external input
   "skipped",             // step intentionally skipped at runtime
 ] as const;
@@ -127,6 +131,8 @@ export interface LoopbackRecord {
   to: Location;
   reason: string;
   timestamp: string;
+  /** "debug" loopbacks are virtual: the agent spawns wk-debug then retries the same step. */
+  kind?: "standard" | "debug";
 }
 
 // ── Workflow (auto-kit) ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -144,7 +150,7 @@ export type WorkStatus = "in-progress" | "paused" | "completed" | "failed";
 // ── Main State ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export interface WorkKitState {
-  version: 2;
+  version: 3;
   slug: string;
   branch: string;
   started: string;
@@ -182,6 +188,7 @@ export interface AgentSpec {
 export type Action =
   | { action: "spawn_agent"; phase: PhaseName; step: string; skillFile: string; agentPrompt: string; onComplete: string; model?: ModelTier }
   | { action: "spawn_parallel_agents"; agents: AgentSpec[]; thenSequential?: AgentSpec; onComplete: string }
+  | { action: "spawn_debug_agent"; origin: Location; iteration: number; skillFile: string; agentPrompt: string; onComplete: string; model?: ModelTier }
   | { action: "wait_for_user"; message: string }
   | { action: "loopback"; from: Location; to: Location; reason: string }
   | { action: "complete"; message: string }

package/cli/src/state/validators.test.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function makeState(): WorkKitState {
     phases[phase] = { status: "pending", steps };
   }
   return {
-    version: 2,
+    version: 3,
     slug: "test",
     branch: "feature/test",
     started: "2026-01-01",
@@ -38,14 +38,32 @@ function completePhase(state: WorkKitState, phase: PhaseName): void {
 }
 
 describe("validatePhasePrerequisites", () => {
-  it("plan has no prerequisites — valid", () => {
+  it("define has no prerequisites — valid", () => {
     const state = makeState();
+    const result = validatePhasePrerequisites(state, "define");
+    assert.equal(result.valid, true);
+  });
+
+  it("plan with define complete — valid", () => {
+    const state = makeState();
+    completePhase(state, "define");
+    const result = validatePhasePrerequisites(state, "plan");
+    assert.equal(result.valid, true);
+  });
+
+  it("plan with define skipped — valid (skipped satisfies prerequisite)", () => {
+    const state = makeState();
+    state.phases.define.status = "skipped";
+    for (const s of Object.values(state.phases.define.steps)) {
+      s.status = "skipped";
+    }
     const result = validatePhasePrerequisites(state, "plan");
     assert.equal(result.valid, true);
   });
 
   it("build with plan incomplete — invalid", () => {
     const state = makeState();
+    completePhase(state, "define");
     const result = validatePhasePrerequisites(state, "build");
     assert.equal(result.valid, false);
     assert.equal(result.missingPrerequisite, "plan");
@@ -53,6 +71,7 @@ describe("validatePhasePrerequisites", () => {
 
   it("build with plan complete — valid", () => {
     const state = makeState();
+    completePhase(state, "define");
     completePhase(state, "plan");
     const result = validatePhasePrerequisites(state, "build");
     assert.equal(result.valid, true);

package/cli/src/state/validators.ts

@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ export function validatePhasePrerequisites(state: WorkKitState, phase: PhaseName
     return { valid: true, message: "Prerequisites met for deploy" };
   }
 
-  // General case
+  // General case: completed OR fully skipped both satisfy the prerequisite.
   const prereqState = state.phases[prereq];
-  if (prereqState.status !== "completed") {
+  if (prereqState.status !== "completed" && prereqState.status !== "skipped") {
     return {
       valid: false,
       message: `${phase} requires ${prereq} to be complete. Current: ${prereqState.status}`,

package/cli/src/utils/knowledge.ts

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ export const AUTO_BLOCK_START = "<!-- work-kit:auto:start -->";
 export const AUTO_BLOCK_END = "<!-- work-kit:auto:end -->";
 export const MANUAL_HEADER = "## Manual";
 
-export const KNOWLEDGE_TYPES = ["lesson", "convention", "risk", "workflow"] as const;
+export const KNOWLEDGE_TYPES = ["lesson", "convention", "risk", "workflow", "decision"] as const;
 export type KnowledgeType = (typeof KNOWLEDGE_TYPES)[number];
 
 export function isKnowledgeType(value: string): value is KnowledgeType {
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const TYPE_TO_FILE: Record<KnowledgeType, string> = {
   convention: "conventions.md",
   risk: "risks.md",
   workflow: "workflow.md",
+  decision: "decisions.md",
 };
 
 const FILE_TO_TITLE: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ const FILE_TO_TITLE: Record<string, string> = {
   "conventions.md": "Conventions",
   "risks.md": "Risks",
   "workflow.md": "Workflow Feedback",
+  "decisions.md": "Decisions",
 };
 
 const FILE_TO_BLURB: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -43,6 +45,8 @@ const FILE_TO_BLURB: Record<string, string> = {
     "Known fragile or dangerous areas. Touch these with care.",
   "workflow.md":
     "Feedback about the work-kit workflow itself as observed in this project — skill quality, step skips, loopbacks, failure modes. Mined manually to improve work-kit upstream.",
+  "decisions.md":
+    "Architectural and design decisions made during work-kit sessions: what was chosen, what was rejected, why. Format mirrors a lightweight ADR — read these before re-litigating a settled choice.",
 };
 
 // ── Path Resolvers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -180,6 +184,8 @@ benefits.
 - **lessons.md** — things you learned about this codebase (project-specific).
 - **conventions.md** — codified rules this project follows.
 - **risks.md** — fragile or dangerous areas to handle with care.
+- **decisions.md** — architectural choices made during sessions: what was
+  picked, what was rejected, why. Read before re-litigating a settled choice.
 - **workflow.md** — feedback about the work-kit workflow itself as observed
   in this project. Mined manually across projects to improve work-kit.
 

package/cli/src/workflow/gates.ts

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ export const WAIT_AFTER_PHASE: Set<PhaseName> = new Set([
 // ── Phase Display Names ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export const PHASE_DISPLAY_NAMES: Record<PhaseName, string> = {
+  define: "Define",
   plan: "Plan",
   build: "Build",
   test: "Test",

package/cli/src/workflow/parallel.ts

@@ -15,7 +15,12 @@ export interface ParallelGroup {
  */
 export const DEFAULT_PARALLEL_GROUPS: Record<string, ParallelGroup> = {
   test: {
-    parallel: ["verify", "e2e"],
+    // verify (test suite), e2e (Playwright/etc), and browser (Chrome DevTools
+    // MCP) all run as independent observations. validate consolidates them.
+    // browser is auto-skipped on non-UI classifications, so the parallel set
+    // shrinks naturally. browser.md is responsible for graceful behavior if
+    // the dev server is shared with e2e.
+    parallel: ["verify", "e2e", "browser"],
     thenSequential: "validate",
   },
   review: {

package/cli/src/workflow/transitions.test.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function makeState(): WorkKitState {
     phases[phase] = { status: "pending", steps };
   }
   return {
-    version: 2,
+    version: 3,
     slug: "test",
     branch: "feature/test",
     started: "2026-01-01",
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ describe("determineNextStep", () => {
     state.currentPhase = null;
     const result = determineNextStep(state);
     assert.equal(result.type, "phase-boundary");
-    assert.equal(result.phase, "plan");
+    assert.equal(result.phase, "define");
   });
 
   it("returns step for current phase with pending work", () => {

package/package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "work-kit-cli",
-  "version": "0.4.1",
-  "description": "Structured development workflow for Claude Code. Two modes, 6 phases, 27 steps.",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
+  "description": "Structured development workflow for Claude Code. Two modes, 7 phases, 31 steps, plus debug recovery.",
   "type": "module",
   "bin": {
     "work-kit": "cli/bin/work-kit.mjs",

package/skills/auto-kit/SKILL.md

@@ -26,13 +26,16 @@ Do not proceed until `doctor` reports all checks passed.
 
 These are the building blocks you pick from:
 
+- **Define:** Refine, Spec  *(included for `feature` and `large-feature` only)*
 - **Plan:** Clarify, Investigate, Sketch, Scope, UX Flow, Architecture, Blueprint, Audit
 - **Build:** Setup, Migration, Red, Core, UI, Refactor, Integration, Commit
-- **Test:** Verify, E2E, Validate
+- **Test:** Verify, E2E, Browser, Validate  *(Browser uses Chrome DevTools MCP, included for `if UI`)*
 - **Review:** Self-Review, Security, Performance, Compliance, Handoff
 - **Deploy:** Merge, Monitor, Remediate (optional)
 - **Wrap-up**
 
+**Debug recovery:** any step can report outcome `needs_debug`. The CLI auto-spawns the **wk-debug** skill (5-step triage), then the originating step retries. Max 2 debug attempts per step.
+
 ## Starting New Work (`/auto-kit <description>`)
 
 ### Step 1: Analyze
@@ -55,6 +58,8 @@ Based on the classification, select steps. Use this table as a starting point, t
 
 | Step              | bug-fix | small-change | refactor | feature | large-feature |
 |------------------------|---------|--------------|----------|---------|---------------|
+| **Define: Refine**     | skip    | skip         | skip     | YES     | YES           |
+| **Define: Spec**       | skip    | skip         | skip     | YES     | YES           |
 | **Plan: Clarify**      | YES     | YES          | YES      | YES     | YES           |
 | **Plan: Investigate**  | YES     | skip         | YES      | YES     | YES           |
 | **Plan: Sketch**       | skip    | skip         | skip     | YES     | YES           |
@@ -73,6 +78,7 @@ Based on the classification, select steps. Use this table as a starting point, t
 | **Build: Commit**      | YES     | YES          | YES      | YES     | YES           |
 | **Test: Verify**       | YES     | YES          | YES      | YES     | YES           |
 | **Test: E2E**          | skip    | skip         | skip     | if UI   | YES           |
+| **Test: Browser**      | skip    | skip         | skip     | if UI   | if UI         |
 | **Test: Validate**     | YES     | skip         | skip     | YES     | YES           |
 | **Review: Self-Review**| YES     | YES          | YES      | YES     | YES           |
 | **Review: Security**   | skip    | skip         | skip     | YES     | YES           |
@@ -205,6 +211,7 @@ The CLI manages all state transitions, prerequisites, and loopbacks. Follow this
 3. Follow the action type:
    - **`spawn_agent`**: Use the Agent tool with the provided `agentPrompt`. Pass `skillFile` path for reference. **If the action includes a `model` field, pass it as the Agent tool's `model` parameter; if the field is absent, do not set `model` (let Claude Code's default pick).** After the agent completes: `work-kit complete <phase>/<step> --outcome <outcome>`
    - **`spawn_parallel_agents`**: Spawn all agents in the `agents` array in parallel using the Agent tool. **For each agent, pass its `model` field as the Agent tool's `model` parameter when present; omit when absent.** Wait for all to complete. Then spawn `thenSequential` if provided (same rule for its `model` field). After all complete: `work-kit complete <onComplete target>`
+   - **`spawn_debug_agent`**: A previous step reported `needs_debug`. Spawn the **wk-debug** skill via the Agent tool with the provided `agentPrompt` and `skillFile`. Use the `model` field if present. Do **not** call `work-kit complete` for the debug agent — when it finishes, simply run `work-kit next` and the originating step will retry automatically.
    - **`wait_for_user`**: Report the message to the user and stop. Wait for them to say "proceed" before running `work-kit next` again.
    - **`loopback`**: Report the loopback to the user, then run `work-kit next` to continue from the target.
    - **`complete`**: Done — run wrap-up if not already done.

package/skills/full-kit/SKILL.md

@@ -24,12 +24,17 @@ Do not proceed until `doctor` reports all checks passed.
 
 ## Phases
 
-1. **Plan** (8 steps) — Clarify → Investigate → Sketch → Scope → UX Flow → Architecture → Blueprint → Audit
-2. **Build** (8 steps) — Setup → Migration → Red → Core → UI → Refactor → Integration → Commit
-3. **Test** (3 steps) — Verify → E2E → Validate
-4. **Review** (5 steps) — Self-Review → Security → Performance → Compliance → Handoff
-5. **Deploy** (3 steps) — Merge → Monitor → Remediate
-6. **Wrap-up** — Synthesize work-kit summary, clean up worktree
+1. **Define** (2 steps) — Refine → Spec  *(catches vague asks before Plan investigates)*
+2. **Plan** (8 steps) — Clarify → Investigate → Sketch → Scope → UX Flow → Architecture → Blueprint → Audit
+3. **Build** (8 steps) — Setup → Migration → Red → Core → UI → Refactor → Integration → Commit
+4. **Test** (4 steps) — Verify, E2E, Browser (parallel) → Validate
+5. **Review** (5 steps) — Self-Review → Security → Performance → Compliance → Handoff
+6. **Deploy** (3 steps) — Merge → Monitor → Remediate
+7. **Wrap-up** — Synthesize work-kit summary, clean up worktree
+
+**Browser test step** uses the Chrome DevTools MCP server. If it isn't installed, `work-kit doctor` warns but does not block — the browser step is skipped gracefully.
+
+**Debug recovery:** any step can report outcome `needs_debug` when it hits an error it can't resolve. The CLI will automatically spawn the **wk-debug** skill (5-step triage), then the originating step retries. Max 2 debug attempts per step before surfacing to you.
 
 ## Starting New Work (`/full-kit <description>`)
 
@@ -80,6 +85,7 @@ The CLI manages all state transitions, prerequisites, and loopbacks. Follow this
 3. Follow the action type:
    - **`spawn_agent`**: Use the Agent tool with the provided `agentPrompt`. Pass `skillFile` path for reference. **If the action includes a `model` field, pass it as the Agent tool's `model` parameter; if the field is absent, do not set `model` (let Claude Code's default pick).** After the agent completes: `work-kit complete <phase>/<step> --outcome <outcome>`
    - **`spawn_parallel_agents`**: Spawn all agents in the `agents` array in parallel using the Agent tool. **For each agent, pass its `model` field as the Agent tool's `model` parameter when present; omit when absent.** Wait for all to complete. Then spawn `thenSequential` if provided (same rule for its `model` field). After all complete: `work-kit complete <onComplete target>`
+   - **`spawn_debug_agent`**: A previous step reported `needs_debug`. Spawn the **wk-debug** skill via the Agent tool with the provided `agentPrompt` and `skillFile`. Use the `model` field if present. Do **not** call `work-kit complete` for the debug agent — when it finishes writing its `.work-kit/debug-*.md` file, simply run `work-kit next` and the originating step will retry automatically.
    - **`wait_for_user`**: Report the message to the user and stop. Wait for them to say "proceed" before running `work-kit next` again. (Only appears in `--gated` mode.)
    - **`loopback`**: Report the loopback to the user, then run `work-kit next` to continue from the target.
    - **`complete`**: Done — run wrap-up if not already done.
@@ -93,7 +99,8 @@ Prerequisites are enforced by the CLI (`work-kit validate <phase>`). You don't n
 
 | Phase    | Requires                          |
 |----------|-----------------------------------|
-| Plan     | — (first phase, always allowed)   |
+| Define   | — (first phase, always allowed)   |
+| Plan     | Define (complete or skipped)      |
 | Build    | Plan (complete)                   |
 | Test     | Build (complete)                  |
 | Review   | Test (complete)                   |

package/skills/wk-bootstrap/SKILL.md

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Run `work-kit bootstrap` to detect work-kit state.
   - `knowledge.lessons` — project-specific learnings from prior sessions
   - `knowledge.conventions` — codified rules this project follows
   - `knowledge.risks` — fragile or dangerous areas to handle with care
+  - `knowledge.decisions` — architectural choices made in past sessions (what was picked, what was rejected, why) — read this **before** proposing any choice that might re-litigate a settled one
   - Read each of these silently into your working context — they're prior knowledge you should respect when planning and building. Briefly mention to the user that prior knowledge was loaded (one line; do not dump the full text into the chat).
   - `workflow.md` is intentionally NOT loaded — it's a write-only artifact for human curators.
 - If recovery is suggested: follow the recovery instruction
@@ -27,6 +28,13 @@ Run `work-kit bootstrap` to detect work-kit state.
 - Available commands: `/full-kit <description>` or `/auto-kit <description>`
 - Do not start work unprompted
 
+## v0.5 capabilities to be aware of
+
+- **Define phase** — runs before Plan for `feature` and `large-feature` work, refines vague asks into a concrete spec.
+- **wk-debug** — auto-invoked when any step reports outcome `needs_debug`. You don't trigger it; the orchestrator does.
+- **test/browser** — exercises the running app via Chrome DevTools MCP. Skips gracefully if the MCP isn't installed (doctor will warn at session start).
+- **decisions in knowledge layer** — `## Decisions` bullets matching `**<context>**: chose X over Y — <why>` are auto-graduated to `.work-kit-knowledge/decisions.md` during wrap-up.
+
 ## If session is stale
 
 - Report the staleness warning to the user

package/skills/wk-debug/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+---
+name: debug
+description: "Mid-pipeline triage skill — invoked automatically when a step reports outcome=needs_debug. Five-step methodology to find and fix (or escalate) the failure."
+user-invocable: false
+allowed-tools: Bash, Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep
+---
+
+You are the **Debug Triage Lead**. Another agent has hit something it can't resolve and reported `needs_debug`. Your job is **not** to do that agent's work — your job is to find out *why* it's stuck so it can retry with a clear path forward.
+
+You are invoked by the work-kit orchestrator (not directly by the user) when any step reports outcome `needs_debug`. After you finish, the originating step will retry. You get **at most 2 invocations per origin step** before the orchestrator surfaces the failure to the user.
+
+## Inputs you'll receive
+
+The orchestrator hands you:
+- `origin` — the phase/step that triggered debug (e.g. `build/core`, `test/verify`)
+- `iteration` — 1 or 2 (how many debug attempts have already happened for this origin)
+- A snapshot of the relevant state.md sections for the origin step
+
+You should also read:
+- `.work-kit/state.md` — full session state
+- The most recent `### <Phase>: <Step>` section the originating agent wrote
+- Any `.work-kit/debug-*.md` files from previous debug iterations (if `iteration > 1`)
+
+## The 5 steps
+
+Work through these in order. Don't skip.
+
+### 1. Reproduce
+Confirm the failure deterministically. Run the exact command, request, or scenario that broke. If you can't reproduce, that's information — record it and skip to step 5 (escalate).
+
+### 2. Isolate
+Shrink the failing case to the smallest input that still fails. Identify the boundary: does it fail before X, after Y, only with Z? Narrowing the surface area is more valuable than guessing causes.
+
+### 3. Hypothesize
+List candidate causes, ranked by likelihood. Be honest about confidence:
+- **High** — direct evidence points here
+- **Medium** — pattern matches a known failure mode
+- **Low** — possible but speculative
+
+Three hypotheses is usually enough. More is procrastination.
+
+### 4. Test
+Make the cheapest hypothesis-killing observation first. The goal is to *eliminate* hypotheses, not to prove the favorite one. Read the relevant code, check a log, run a smaller variant. Each observation should rule something out.
+
+### 5. Fix or escalate
+- **Fix** — if the cause is obvious and small, apply the minimal fix. Do NOT scope-creep into surrounding cleanup. Verify the fix addresses the original failure (re-run step 1).
+- **Escalate** — if the fix requires architectural change, user input, or work outside the originating step's scope, write a clear escalation: what's known, what's unknown, what would unblock it.
+
+## Output
+
+Write your full triage to `.work-kit/debug-<ISO-timestamp>.md`:
+
+```markdown
+# Debug — <origin-phase>/<origin-step> (iteration <N>)
+
+## 1. Reproduce
+**Confirmed:** yes | no
+<what you ran, what happened>
+
+## 2. Isolate
+**Minimal failing case:** <description or exact command>
+**Boundary:** <fails when X; works when Y>
+
+## 3. Hypotheses
+1. [high|med|low] <hypothesis>
+2. [high|med|low] <hypothesis>
+3. [high|med|low] <hypothesis>
+
+## 4. Tests
+- <observation 1> → ruled out: <which hypothesis>
+- <observation 2> → ruled out: <which>
+- <observation 3> → confirmed: <which>
+
+## 5. Outcome
+**Verdict:** fixed | escalated | unreproducible
+
+**If fixed:**
+- **Root cause:** <one sentence>
+- **Fix applied:** <files changed, what changed>
+- **Verification:** <how you confirmed the fix worked>
+
+**If escalated:**
+- **What's known:** <facts>
+- **What's unknown:** <gaps>
+- **What would unblock:** <user input needed | architectural change | scope expansion>
+- **Recommended next step:** <concrete suggestion>
+```
+
+Then append a **single-line breadcrumb** to `.work-kit/state.md` under `## Observations`:
+
+```markdown
+- [risk] debug:<origin-phase>/<origin-step>: <one-sentence cause + verdict>
+```
+
+This lets `wrap-up/knowledge` graduate the debug finding into the project's risks file.
+
+## After you finish
+
+The orchestrator will:
+- See your debug-*.md file
+- Re-spawn the originating step
+- That agent will see your `### Debug: <origin>` summary in its prompt context (if applicable) and your fixes in the working tree
+
+You don't need to explicitly hand off — just write the file and exit. **Do not call `work-kit complete`** for the originating step. The retry will do that.
+
+## Boundaries
+
+### Always
+- Reproduce before hypothesizing. Skipping reproduce is the #1 cause of bad debug sessions.
+- Cap hypotheses at 3 unless the failure is genuinely complex.
+- Write the file even if you escalate. The escalation is the deliverable.
+- Re-run the failing case after applying a fix. "Should work" is not "does work".
+
+### Never
+- Expand scope beyond the failing case. You are not refactoring, you are unsticking.
+- Disable tests, skip checks, or comment out failing code to "pass" the retry.
+- Loop forever — if iteration 2 still can't fix it, ESCALATE. The orchestrator will surface to the user.
+- Touch files unrelated to the failure boundary you isolated in step 2.
+
+## Anti-Rationalization
+
+| Excuse | Reality |
+|--------|---------|
+| "I can see the problem, I'll just fix it without reproducing" | Skipping reproduce means you might fix the wrong thing. Reproduce takes 30 seconds. Do it. |
+| "Disabling this check will make the test pass" | Yes, and it will hide the real failure. Debug exists to find causes, not symptoms. |
+| "I'll keep trying hypotheses until one works" | That's gambling, not debugging. Each test must *eliminate* something. If you're not narrowing the space, stop and re-isolate. |
+| "This is a deeper issue, I should rewrite the module" | Out of scope. Escalate it. Architectural rewrites belong in a separate work-kit session. |