ralphex-plan

What this skill does

# Implementation Plan Creation

Create an implementation plan in `docs/plans/YYYYMMDD-<task-name>.md` with interactive context gathering.

## Prerequisites: Verify CLI Installation

Check if ralphex CLI is installed (needed to execute the plan after creation):
```bash
which ralphex
```

**If not found**, inform user they'll need it to execute the plan:
- **macOS (Homebrew)**: `brew install umputun/apps/ralphex`
- **Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)**: download `.deb` from https://github.com/umputun/ralphex/releases
- **Linux (RHEL/Fedora)**: download `.rpm` from https://github.com/umputun/ralphex/releases
- **Any platform with Go**: `go install github.com/umputun/ralphex/cmd/ralphex@latest`

Proceed with plan creation regardless, but remind user to install before execution.

## Step 0: Parse Intent and Gather Context

Before asking questions, understand what the user is working on:

1. **Parse user's command arguments** to identify intent:
   - "add feature Z" / "implement W" → feature development
   - "fix bug" / "debug issue" → bug fix plan
   - "refactor X" / "improve Y" → refactoring plan
   - "migrate to Z" / "upgrade W" → migration plan
   - generic request → explore current work

2. **Launch Explore agent** (via Task tool with `subagent_type: Explore`) to gather relevant context based on intent:

   **For feature development:**
   - locate related existing code and patterns
   - check project structure (README, config files, existing similar implementations)
   - identify affected components and dependencies

   **For bug fixing:**
   - look for error logs, test failures, or stack traces
   - find related code that might be involved
   - check recent git changes in problem areas

   **For refactoring/migration:**
   - identify all files/components affected
   - check test coverage of affected areas
   - find dependencies and integration points

   **For generic/unclear requests:**
   - check `git status` and recent file activity
   - examine current working directory structure
   - identify primary language/framework from file extensions and config files

3. **Synthesize findings** into context summary:
   - what work is in progress
   - which files/areas are involved
   - what the apparent goal is
   - relevant patterns or structure discovered

## Step 1: Present Context and Ask Focused Questions

Show the discovered context, then ask questions **one at a time** using the AskUserQuestion tool:

"Based on your request, I found: [context summary]"

**Ask questions one at a time (do not overwhelm with multiple questions):**

1. **Plan purpose**: use AskUserQuestion - "What is the main goal?"
   - provide multiple choice with suggested answer based on discovered intent
   - wait for response before next question

2. **Scope**: use AskUserQuestion - "Which components/files are involved?"
   - provide multiple choice with suggested discovered files/areas
   - wait for response before next question

3. **Constraints**: use AskUserQuestion - "Any specific requirements or limitations?"
   - can be open-ended if constraints vary widely
   - wait for response before next question

4. **Testing approach**: use AskUserQuestion - "Do you prefer TDD or regular approach?"
   - options: "TDD (tests first)" and "Regular (code first, then tests)"
   - store preference for reference during implementation
   - wait for response before next question

5. **Plan title**: use AskUserQuestion - "Short descriptive title?"
   - provide suggested name based on intent

After all questions answered, synthesize responses into plan context.

## Step 1.5: Explore Approaches

Once the problem is understood, propose implementation approaches:

1. **Propose 2-3 different approaches** with trade-offs for each
2. **Lead with recommended option** and explain reasoning
3. **Present conversationally** - not a formal document yet

Example format:
```
I see three approaches:

**Option A: [name]** (recommended)
- How it works: ...
- Pros: ...
- Cons: ...

**Option B: [name]**
- How it works: ...
- Pros: ...
- Cons: ...

Which direction appeals to you?
```

Use AskUserQuestion tool to let user select preferred approach before creating the plan.

**Skip this step** if:
- the implementation approach is obvious (single clear path)
- user explicitly specified how they want it done
- it's a bug fix with clear solution

## Step 2: Create Plan File

Check `docs/plans/` for existing files, then create `docs/plans/YYYYMMDD-<task-name>.md`:

### Plan Structure

```markdown
# [Plan Title]

## Overview
- Clear description of the feature/change being implemented
- Problem it solves and key benefits
- How it integrates with existing system

## Context (from discovery)
- Files/components involved: [list from step 0]
- Related patterns found: [patterns discovered]
- Dependencies identified: [dependencies]

## Development Approach
- **Testing approach**: [TDD / Regular - from user preference in planning]
- Complete each task fully before moving to the next
- Make small, focused changes
- **CRITICAL: every task MUST include new/updated tests** for code changes in that task
  - tests are not optional - they are a required part of the checklist
  - write unit tests for new functions/methods
  - write unit tests for modified functions/methods
  - add new test cases for new code paths
  - update existing test cases if behavior changes
  - tests cover both success and error scenarios
- **CRITICAL: all tests must pass before starting next task** - no exceptions
- **CRITICAL: update this plan file when scope changes during implementation**
- Run tests after each change
- Maintain backward compatibility

## Testing Strategy
- **Unit tests**: required for every task (see Development Approach above)
- **E2E tests**: if project has UI-based e2e tests (Playwright, Cypress, etc.):
  - UI changes → add/update e2e tests in same task as UI code
  - Backend changes supporting UI → add/update e2e tests in same task
  - Treat e2e tests with same rigor as unit tests (must pass before next task)
  - Store e2e tests alongside unit tests (or in designated e2e directory)

## Progress Tracking
- Mark completed items with `[x]` immediately when done
- Add newly discovered tasks with ➕ prefix
- Document issues/blockers with ⚠️ prefix
- Update plan if implementation deviates from original scope
- Keep plan in sync with actual work done

## What Goes Where
- **Implementation Steps** (`[ ]` checkboxes): tasks achievable within this codebase - code changes, tests, documentation updates
- **Post-Completion** (no checkboxes): items requiring external action - manual testing, changes in consuming projects, deployment configs, third-party verifications
- **Checkbox placement**: Checkboxes belong only in Task sections (`### Task N:` or `### Iteration N:`). Do not put checkboxes in Success criteria, Overview, or Context — they cause extra loop iterations.

## Implementation Steps

<!--
Task structure guidelines:
- Each task = ONE logical unit (one function, one endpoint, one component)
- Use specific descriptive names, not generic "[Core Logic]" or "[Implementation]"
- Aim for ~5 checkboxes per task (more is OK if logically atomic)
- **CRITICAL: Each task MUST end with writing/updating tests before moving to next**
  - tests are not optional - they are a required deliverable of every task
  - write tests for all NEW code added in this task
  - write tests for all MODIFIED code in this task
  - include both success and error scenarios in tests
  - list tests as SEPARATE checklist items, not bundled with implementation

Example (NOTICE: tests are separate checklist items):

### Task 1: Add password hashing utility
- [ ] create `auth/hash` module with HashPassword and VerifyPassword functions
- [ ] implement secure hashing with configurable cost
- [ ] write tests for HashPassword (success + error cases)
- [ ] write tests for VerifyPassword (success + error cases)
- [ ] run project tests - must pass before task 2

### Task 2: Add user registration endpoi