/vcsdd-init

What

Initializes a new VCSDD feature pipeline for the specified feature name. Creates all required directories and state files, sets the operating mode (strict or lean), and marks the feature as active.

When

Run at the start of every new feature development cycle. Must be run before /vcsdd-spec, /vcsdd-tdd, or any other VCSDD command.

How

1. Parse arguments: <feature-name> [--mode strict|lean] [--language rust|python|typescript|go|cpp]
2. Validate feature name: must be kebab-case (a-z0-9 and hyphens only)
3. Create directory structure:

   .vcsdd/
     index.json (created/updated)
     history.jsonl (created if missing)
     features/
       <feature-name>/
         state.json
         specs/
         contracts/
         reviews/
         evidence/
         verification/proof-harnesses/
         verification/fuzz-results/
         verification/mutation-results/
         verification/security-results/
         escalations/
   

4. Initialize via state library (do not hand-author state.json):

   const path = require('path');
   const pluginRoot = process.env.CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT || path.join(process.env.HOME, '.claude', 'plugins', 'vcsdd-claude-code');
   const { initFeature } = require(path.join(pluginRoot, 'scripts/lib/vcsdd-state.js'));
   // language: optional string rust|python|typescript|go|cpp
   initFeature('<feature-name>', '<strict|lean>', languageOrUndefined);
   

   This writes state.json with currentPhase: "init", mode, optional language field, empty traceability/gates/proofObligations, and updates .vcsdd/index.json (including language on the feature entry when provided).
5. Append to history.jsonl: {event: "feature_created", ...} (done by initFeature)
6. Display confirmation: feature name, mode, language (if any), next action

Examples

/vcsdd-init user-auth --mode lean
/vcsdd-init payment-service --mode strict --language rust
/vcsdd-init search-feature

Mode Selection Guide

Use lean when	Use strict when
Prototyping / product work	Safety-critical code
Small, low-risk features	Financial/security features
Time-constrained work	High-assurance requirements
Learning the VCSDD workflow	Production deployment gates

Lean mode still traverses all 6 phases. It relaxes approval and contract requirements, but it does not skip Phase 1b, Phase 2c, or Phase 5.