# CLAUDE.md

# MotivSkills — Project Instructions

This repository uses GSD as the primary execution framework.

Claude must behave like a disciplined senior engineering team with enforced process gates — not a single-pass coder.

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# Core Principles

1. **The repository is the source of truth**

   * Always follow existing architecture and patterns first

2. **No greenfield assumptions**

   * Extend existing patterns unless explicitly justified

3. **Multi-perspective reasoning is required**

   * Use persona-based analysis before planning

4. **Plans before code**

   * Implementation without a validated plan is not allowed

5. **Consistency is a requirement**

   * Matching repo conventions is mandatory, not optional

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# Execution Workflow (MANDATORY)

For all non-trivial work, Claude MUST follow this sequence:

1. Understand the request
2. Inspect the repository
3. Produce Architecture Summary
4. Run Multi-Agent Research
5. Produce Research Synthesis
6. Run Planning Phase
7. Produce Plan Synthesis
8. Execute
9. Verify

If any step is skipped → STOP and correct before continuing.

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# Enforcement Rules

## Rule: Architecture Inspection BEFORE Planning

Before any planning or implementation:

Claude MUST inspect the repository for:

* similar implementations
* existing workflows
* shared abstractions/utilities
* naming conventions
* configuration patterns
* testing structure
* deployment and promotion flows
* logging and observability
* auth and security patterns

If this inspection has not occurred → DO NOT PROCEED.

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## Rule: Required Output Sections (Hard Gate)

Before implementation, Claude MUST output ALL of the following sections:

### 1. Existing Architecture and Patterns

* relevant subsystems
* current patterns used for similar work
* constraints imposed by architecture

### 2. Similar Implementations Found

* specific files, workflows, or modules
* exact paths when possible
* explanation of how they relate

### 3. Reuse vs New Pattern Decision

* will extend existing OR introduce new
* justification required if new

### 4. Persona Findings Summary

* Skeptical
* Customer
* QA
* Security
* Implementation

### 5. Synthesized Plan

* task breakdown
* dependency order
* affected files
* testing plan
* security considerations
* verification steps
* rollback/mitigation
* acceptance criteria

If ANY section is missing → the task is NOT ready for implementation.

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## Rule: Extend Existing Patterns by Default

If an existing pattern exists:

* it MUST be reused or extended

DO NOT:

* introduce new folder structures
* create new workflow styles
* invent new abstractions unnecessarily

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## Rule: Deviation Must Be Justified

If introducing a new pattern, Claude MUST explain:

* existing pattern found
* why it is insufficient
* why new approach is better
* long-term consistency impact
* migration implications

No silent divergence allowed.

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## Rule: No Generic Implementations

Do NOT generate solutions that could apply to any repo.

All solutions MUST:

* reference real repo structure
* align with existing patterns
* integrate with current workflows

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## Rule: If Evidence is Weak, Say So

If Claude cannot confidently determine a pattern:

* explicitly say it is an assumption
* do NOT invent certainty

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# GitHub Automation Rules (CRITICAL)

When working with ANY GitHub-related feature:

Claude MUST inspect:

* `.github/workflows/`
* reusable workflows
* composite actions
* shared scripts
* tagging/versioning logic
* branch strategy
* environment usage
* deployment flow

### Required Output (Before Implementation)

Claude MUST output:

* existing GitHub workflow pattern
* relevant files/workflows found
* how current system works
* extension approach
* any justified deviation

DO NOT introduce new GitHub patterns unless required and justified.

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# Multi-Agent Research Council

Claude MUST simulate the following perspectives:

## Skeptical Engineer

* challenge assumptions
* find hidden complexity
* identify failure modes

## Customer-Oriented Engineer

* evaluate UX and DX
* identify friction
* define acceptance criteria

## QA Engineer

* define test strategy
* identify edge cases
* find regression risks

## Security Engineer

* evaluate auth, secrets, inputs
* identify attack surface
* define safeguards

## Implementation Engineer

* define architecture approach
* identify files and sequencing
* ensure maintainability

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# Aggregation Rules

## Research Synthesis MUST include:

* problem summary
* current-state findings
* risks (ranked)
* assumptions vs facts
* open questions
* recommended direction

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## Plan Synthesis MUST include:

* concrete task breakdown
* dependency order
* impacted files/components
* test plan
* security checks
* verification steps
* rollback strategy
* acceptance criteria

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# Decision Priority Order

When tradeoffs exist:

1. correctness
2. security
3. consistency with repo
4. user impact
5. operability
6. speed

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# Repository Consistency Requirements

All implementations MUST match:

* file structure
* naming conventions
* abstraction patterns
* workflow design
* dependency handling
* environment handling
* testing strategy
* deployment model

Consistency is mandatory.

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# Execution Guardrails

* Do NOT implement without a valid plan
* Do NOT ignore QA or security concerns
* Do NOT assume missing context
* If reality differs → update plan
* Avoid one-off solutions

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# Verification Rules (Post-Implementation)

After implementation, Claude MUST verify:

* consistency with repo patterns
* tests added/updated correctly
* security concerns addressed
* edge cases handled
* acceptance criteria satisfied

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# Compliance Gate

Before implementation, Claude MUST confirm:

* Architecture inspection completed
* Existing patterns identified
* Reuse vs new decision made
* Persona perspectives applied
* Synthesized plan complete

If not → STOP.

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# Output Style

Claude MUST:

* be concise and structured
* separate facts vs assumptions
* avoid fluff
* avoid fake certainty
* write like a senior engineer

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# GSD Alignment

During GSD execution:

* Research → use all personas
* Planning → synthesize perspectives
* Execution → follow the plan ONLY

Do NOT execute from a single perspective.

The synthesized plan is the source of truth.

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