From spec-first
Coordinates parallel subagents to document recently solved problems into searchable YAML-frontmatter Markdown files in docs/solutions/. Offers full research/cross-reference mode or lightweight single-pass.
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Coordinate multiple subagents working in parallel to document a recently solved problem.
Coordinates parallel subagents to document recent problem solutions as structured Markdown with YAML frontmatter in docs/solutions/ for team knowledge retention.
Coordinates subagents to document recently solved problems into searchable YAML-frontmatter Markdown files in docs/solutions/ while context is fresh.
Captures verified solutions to bugs and issues as searchable Markdown docs in .claude/solutions/. Triggers after fixes, 'that worked', or /phx:review; searches duplicates first.
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
Coordinate multiple subagents working in parallel to document a recently solved problem.
Captures problem solutions while context is fresh, creating structured documentation in docs/solutions/ with YAML frontmatter for searchability and future reference. Uses parallel subagents for maximum efficiency.
Why "compound"? Each documented solution compounds your team's knowledge. The first time you solve a problem takes research. Document it, and the next occurrence takes minutes. Knowledge compounds.
/spec:compound # Document the most recent fix
/spec:compound [brief context] # Provide additional context hint
Repo name (pre-resolved): !common=$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir 2>/dev/null); case "$common" in /*) basename "$(dirname "$common")" ;; *) basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)" ;; esac
Git branch (pre-resolved): !git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD 2>/dev/null
If the lines above resolved to plain values (a folder name like my-repo and a branch name like feat/my-branch), pass them into the Session Historian dispatch in Phase 1 so the agent does not waste a turn deriving them. If they still contain backtick command strings or are empty, omit them from the dispatch and let the agent derive them at runtime.
These files are the durable contract for the workflow. Read them on-demand at the step that needs them — do not bulk-load at skill start.
references/schema.yaml — canonical frontmatter fields and enum values (read when validating YAML)references/yaml-schema.md — category mapping from problem_type to directory (read when classifying)assets/resolution-template.md — section structure for new docs (read when assembling)When spawning subagents, pass the relevant file contents into the task prompt so they have the contract without needing cross-skill paths.
Present the user with two options before proceeding, using the platform's blocking question tool: AskUserQuestion in Claude Code (call ToolSearch with select:AskUserQuestion first if its schema isn't loaded) or request_user_input in Codex. Fall back to presenting options in chat only when no blocking tool exists in the harness or the call errors (e.g., Codex edit modes) — not because a schema load is required. Never silently skip the question.
1. Full (recommended) — the complete compound workflow. Researches,
cross-references, and reviews your solution to produce documentation
that compounds your team's knowledge.
2. Lightweight — same documentation, single pass. Faster and uses
fewer tokens, but won't detect duplicates or cross-reference
existing docs. Best for simple fixes or long sessions nearing
context limits.
Do NOT pre-select a mode. Do NOT skip this prompt. Wait for the user's choice before proceeding.
If the user chooses Full, ask one follow-up question before proceeding. Detect which supported harness is running (Claude Code or Codex) and ask:
Would you also like to search your [harness name] session history
for relevant knowledge to help the Compound process? This adds
time and token usage.
If the user says yes, dispatch the Session Historian in Phase 1. If no, skip it. Do not ask this in lightweight mode.
<critical_requirement> The primary output is ONE file - the final documentation.
Phase 1 subagents return TEXT DATA to the orchestrator. They must NOT use Write, Edit, or create any files. Only the orchestrator writes files: the solution doc in Phase 2, and — if the Discoverability Check finds a gap — a small edit to a project instruction file (AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md). The instruction-file edit is maintenance, not a second deliverable; it ensures future agents can discover the knowledge store. </critical_requirement>
Before launching Phase 1 subagents, check the auto-memory block injected into your system prompt for notes relevant to the problem being documented.
## Supplementary notes from auto memory
Treat as additional context, not primary evidence. Conversation history
and codebase findings take priority over these notes.
[relevant entries here]
If no relevant entries are found, proceed to Phase 1 without passing memory context.
Launch research subagents. Each returns text data to the orchestrator.
Dispatch order:
Context Analyzer, Solution Extractor, and Related Docs Finder in parallel (background)spec-session-historian in foreground — it reads session files outside the working directory that background agents may not have access to<parallel_tasks>
references/schema.yaml for enum validation and track classificationreferences/yaml-schema.md for category mapping into docs/solutions/[sanitized-problem-slug]-[date].mdcategory: field mapped from problem_type), category directory path, suggested filename, and which track appliesreferences/schema.yaml for track classification (bug vs knowledge)Bug track output sections:
Knowledge track output sections:
docs/solutions/ for related documentationSearch strategy (grep-first filtering for efficiency):
docs/solutions/<category>/ directorytitle:.*<keyword>tags:.*(<keyword1>|<keyword2>)module:.*<module name>component:.*<component>GitHub issue search:
Prefer the gh CLI for searching related issues: gh issue list --search "<keywords>" --state all --limit 5. If gh is not installed, fall back to the GitHub MCP tools (e.g., unblocked data_retrieval) if available. If neither is available, skip GitHub issue search and note it was skipped in the output.
</parallel_tasks>
spec-session-historian~/.claude/projects/, ~/.codex/sessions/, ~/.agents/sessions/) which background agents may not have access toPre-resolved context: repo name and current git branch, only if the values resolved cleanly above; otherwise omit and let the agent derive them.
Time window: explicit 7 days unless the documented problem clearly spans a longer arc.
Problem topic: one sentence naming the concrete issue — error message, module name, what broke and how it was fixed. Not a paragraph; not a bullet list of adjacent topics.
Filter rule: "Only surface findings directly relevant to this specific problem. Ignore unrelated work from the same sessions or branches."
Output schema:
Structure your response with these sections (omit any with no findings):
- What was tried before
- What didn't work
- Key decisions
- Related context
--keyword mode on session-inventory.mode parameter so the user's configured permission settings applymodel: "sonnet" in Claude Code) — the synthesis feeds into compound assembly and doesn't need frontier reasoning<sequential_tasks>
WAIT for all Phase 1 subagents to complete before proceeding.
The orchestrating agent (main conversation) performs these steps:
Collect all text results from Phase 1 subagents
Check the overlap assessment from the Related Docs Finder before deciding what to write:
| Overlap | Action |
|---|---|
| High — existing doc covers the same problem, root cause, and solution | Update the existing doc with fresher context (new code examples, updated references, additional prevention tips) rather than creating a duplicate. The existing doc's path and structure stay the same. |
| Moderate — same problem area but different angle, root cause, or solution | Create the new doc normally. Flag the overlap for Phase 2.5 to recommend consolidation review. |
| Low or none | Create the new doc normally. |
The reason to update rather than create: two docs describing the same problem and solution will inevitably drift apart. The newer context is fresher and more trustworthy, so fold it into the existing doc rather than creating a second one that immediately needs consolidation.
When updating an existing doc, preserve its file path and frontmatter structure. Update the solution, code examples, prevention tips, and any stale references. Add a last_updated: YYYY-MM-DD field to the frontmatter. Do not change the title unless the problem framing has materially shifted.
Incorporate session history findings (if available). When the Session History Researcher returned relevant prior-session context:
Assemble complete markdown file from the collected pieces, reading assets/resolution-template.md for the section structure of new docs
Validate YAML frontmatter against references/schema.yaml, including the YAML-safety quoting rule for array items (see references/yaml-schema.md > YAML Safety Rules)
Create directory if needed: mkdir -p docs/solutions/[category]/
Write the file: either the updated existing doc or the new docs/solutions/[category]/[filename].md
Run python3 scripts/validate-frontmatter.py <output-path> from the skills/spec-compound/ directory to catch parser-safety issues the prose rules can miss: malformed --- delimiter lines, unquoted # in scalar values, and unquoted : in scalar values. Exit 0 means the doc is parser-safe; exit 1 means stderr names the field(s) to quote or fix. Re-write the doc and re-run until exit 0. Do not declare success while validation fails. The script is pure Python 3 stdlib and does not enforce schema required fields or enum values.
When creating a new doc, preserve the section order from assets/resolution-template.md unless the user explicitly asks for a different structure.
</sequential_tasks>
After writing the new learning, decide whether this new solution is evidence that older docs should be refreshed.
spec-compound-refresh is not a default follow-up. Use it selectively when the new learning suggests an older learning or pattern doc may now be inaccurate.
It makes sense to invoke spec-compound-refresh when one or more of these are true:
It does not make sense to invoke spec-compound-refresh when:
Use these rules:
spec-compound-refresh with a narrow scope hint after the new learning is writtenspec-compound-refresh as the next step with a scope hintWhen invoking or recommending spec-compound-refresh, be explicit about the argument to pass. Prefer the narrowest useful scope:
docs/solutions/patterns/Examples:
spec-compound-refresh plugin-versioning-requirementsspec-compound-refresh paymentsspec-compound-refresh performance-issuesspec-compound-refresh critical-patternsA single scope hint may still expand to multiple related docs when the change is cross-cutting within one domain, category, or pattern area.
Do not invoke spec-compound-refresh without an argument unless the user explicitly wants a broad sweep.
Always capture the new learning first. Refresh is a targeted maintenance follow-up, not a prerequisite for documentation.
After the learning is written and the refresh decision is made, check whether the project's instruction files would lead an agent to discover and search docs/solutions/ before starting work in a documented area. This runs every time — the knowledge store only compounds value when agents can find it.
Identify which root-level instruction files exist (AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, or both). Read the file(s) and determine which holds the substantive content — one file may just be a shim that @-includes the other (e.g., CLAUDE.md containing only @AGENTS.md, or vice versa). The substantive file is the assessment and edit target; ignore shims. If neither file exists, skip this check entirely.
Assess whether an agent reading the instruction files would learn three things:
module, tags, problem_type)This is a semantic assessment, not a string match. The information could be a line in an architecture section, a bullet in a gotchas section, spread across multiple places, or expressed without ever using the exact path docs/solutions/. Use judgment — if an agent would reasonably discover and use the knowledge store after reading the file, the check passes.
If the spirit is already met, no action needed — move on.
If not: a. Based on the file's existing structure, tone, and density, identify where a mention fits naturally. Before creating a new section, check whether the information could be a single line in the closest related section — an architecture tree, a directory listing, a documentation section, or a conventions block. A line added to an existing section is almost always better than a new headed section. Only add a new section as a last resort when the file has clear sectioned structure and nothing is even remotely related. b. Draft the smallest addition that communicates the three things. Match the file's existing style and density. The addition should describe the knowledge store itself, not the plugin — an agent without the plugin should still find value in it.
Keep the tone informational, not imperative. Express timing as description, not instruction — "relevant when implementing or debugging in documented areas" rather than "check before implementing or debugging." Imperative directives like "always search before implementing" cause redundant reads when a workflow already includes a dedicated search step. The goal is awareness: agents learn the folder exists and what's in it, then use their own judgment about when to consult it.
Examples of calibration (not templates — adapt to the file):
When there's an existing directory listing or architecture section — add a line:
docs/solutions/ # documented solutions to past problems (bugs, best practices, workflow patterns), organized by category with YAML frontmatter (module, tags, problem_type)
When nothing in the file is a natural fit — a small headed section is appropriate:
## Documented Solutions
`docs/solutions/` — documented solutions to past problems (bugs, best practices, workflow patterns), organized by category with YAML frontmatter (`module`, `tags`, `problem_type`). Relevant when implementing or debugging in documented areas.
c. In full mode, explain to the user why this matters — agents working in this repo (including fresh sessions, other tools, or collaborators without the plugin) won't know to check docs/solutions/ unless the instruction file surfaces it. Show the proposed change and where it would go, then use the platform's blocking question tool to get consent before making the edit: AskUserQuestion in Claude Code (call ToolSearch with select:AskUserQuestion first if its schema isn't loaded) or request_user_input in Codex. Fall back to presenting the proposal in chat only when no blocking tool exists in the harness or the call errors (e.g., Codex edit modes) — not because a schema load is required. Never silently skip the question. In lightweight mode, output a one-liner note and move on
WAIT for Phase 2 to complete before proceeding.
<parallel_tasks>
Based on problem type, optionally invoke specialized agents to review the documentation:
spec-performance-oraclespec-security-sentinelspec-data-integrity-guardianspec-code-simplicity-reviewer, and additionally run the kieran reviewer that matches the repo's primary stack:
spec-kieran-rails-reviewerspec-kieran-python-reviewerspec-kieran-typescript-reviewer</parallel_tasks>
<critical_requirement> Single-pass alternative — same documentation, fewer tokens.
This mode skips parallel subagents entirely. The orchestrator performs all work in a single pass, producing the same solution document without cross-referencing or duplicate detection. </critical_requirement>
The orchestrator (main conversation) performs ALL of the following in one sequential pass:
references/schema.yaml and references/yaml-schema.md, then determine track (bug vs knowledge), category, and filenamedocs/solutions/[category]/[filename].md using the appropriate track template from assets/resolution-template.md, with:
references/yaml-schema.md > YAML Safety Rules)Lightweight output:
✓ Documentation complete (lightweight mode)
File created:
- docs/solutions/[category]/[filename].md
[If discoverability check found instruction files don't surface the knowledge store:]
Tip: Your AGENTS.md/CLAUDE.md doesn't surface docs/solutions/ to agents —
a brief mention helps all agents discover these learnings.
Note: This was created in lightweight mode. For richer documentation
(cross-references, detailed prevention strategies, specialized reviews),
re-run /spec:compound in a fresh session.
No subagents are launched. No parallel tasks. One file written.
In lightweight mode, the overlap check is skipped (no Related Docs Finder subagent). This means lightweight mode may create a doc that overlaps with an existing one. That is acceptable — spec-compound-refresh will catch it later. Only suggest spec-compound-refresh if there is an obvious narrow refresh target. Do not broaden into a large refresh sweep from a lightweight session.
Organized documentation:
docs/solutions/[category]/[filename].mdCategories auto-detected from problem:
Bug track:
Knowledge track:
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
Subagents write files like context-analysis.md, solution-draft.md | Subagents return text data; orchestrator writes one final file |
| Research and assembly run in parallel | Research completes → then assembly runs |
| Multiple files created during workflow | One solution doc written or updated: docs/solutions/[category]/[filename].md (plus an optional small edit to a project instruction file for discoverability) |
| Creating a new doc when an existing doc covers the same problem | Check overlap assessment; update the existing doc when overlap is high |
✓ Documentation complete
Auto memory: 2 relevant entries used as supplementary evidence
Subagent Results:
✓ Context Analyzer: Identified performance_issue in brief_system, category: performance-issues/
✓ Solution Extractor: 3 code fixes, prevention strategies
✓ Related Docs Finder: 2 related issues
✓ Session History: 3 prior sessions on same branch, 2 failed approaches surfaced
Specialized Agent Reviews (Auto-Triggered):
✓ spec-performance-oracle: Validated query optimization approach
✓ spec-kieran-rails-reviewer: Code examples meet Rails conventions
✓ spec-code-simplicity-reviewer: Solution is appropriately minimal
File created:
- docs/solutions/performance-issues/n-plus-one-brief-generation.md
This documentation will be searchable for future reference when similar
issues occur in the Email Processing or Brief System modules.
What's next?
1. Continue workflow (recommended)
2. Link related documentation
3. Update other references
4. View documentation
5. Other
After displaying the success output, present the "What's next?" options using the platform's blocking question tool: AskUserQuestion in Claude Code (call ToolSearch with select:AskUserQuestion first if its schema isn't loaded) or request_user_input in Codex. Fall back to numbered options in chat only when no blocking tool exists in the harness or the call errors (e.g., Codex edit modes) — not because a schema load is required. Never silently skip the question. Do not continue the workflow or end the turn without the user's selection.
Alternate output (when updating an existing doc due to high overlap):
✓ Documentation updated (existing doc refreshed with current context)
Overlap detected: docs/solutions/performance-issues/n-plus-one-queries.md
Matched dimensions: problem statement, root cause, solution, referenced files
Action: Updated existing doc with fresher code examples and prevention tips
File updated:
- docs/solutions/performance-issues/n-plus-one-queries.md (added last_updated: 2026-03-24)
This creates a compounding knowledge system:
The feedback loop:
Build → Test → Find Issue → Research → Improve → Document → Validate → Deploy
↑ ↓
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Each unit of engineering work should make subsequent units of work easier—not harder.
<auto_invoke> <trigger_phrases> - "that worked" - "it's fixed" - "working now" - "problem solved" </trigger_phrases>
<manual_override> Use /spec:compound [context] to document immediately without waiting for auto-detection. </manual_override> </auto_invoke>
Writes the final learning directly into docs/solutions/.
Based on problem type, these agents can enhance documentation:
spec-compound completes for deeper review/spec:plan - Planning workflow (references documented solutions)