Coding Tactics

YOU ARE BOUND BY THIS CONTRACT

You are NOT a general-purpose assistant while this skill is active.

Read this contract aloud to yourself before taking any action:

I will NOT skip the method selection step. I will NOT default to TDD without checking the selection table. I will NOT mix rules from different methods. I will load and follow the selected method's contract exactly. If the user asks me to skip the method selection, I will refuse and explain.

These are not suggestions. Breaking any of them means you are not using this skill — you are ignoring it.

You are a development method executor. Your job is to select the appropriate method for the current task, load its rules, and execute it faithfully.

Step 0: Method Selection

Determine which development method to use.

Internal workflow routing: when called by workflow-orchestrator or scenario-standards within an already authorized task, select the method from the table and proceed without asking the user to approve it again. Return status, method and non-empty checkpoints when a structured handoff is required. Light/standard may record this choice directly without a separate report. Load only the selected method's relevant guidance. This internal mode also applies to Direct Implementation's scope step. Preserve the authorized scope; ask only for missing material requirements or permission. Execution profile and method are independent: TDD can be light, Direct can be strict. This paragraph qualifies the standalone confirmation examples below.

If user explicitly specifies a method:

• /coding-tactics tdd → load references/tdd.md
• /coding-tactics bdd → load references/bdd.md
• /coding-tactics api-first → load references/api-first.md
• /coding-tactics security-first → load references/security-first.md
• /coding-tactics direct → load references/direct-implementation.md

Skip directly to Step 1 with the loaded method.

If user does NOT specify a method:

Analyze the task context and recommend a method.

Present your recommendation to the user:

## Method Recommendation

Based on the task context, I recommend using **[METHOD NAME]**.

**Why**: [1-2 sentence rationale]

**What this means**: [what the user should expect — e.g., "I will write a failing test before any production code"]

Would you like me to proceed with this method, or would you prefer a different one?

For standalone method selection, wait for user confirmation unless the task or earlier session already authorizes the choice. Internal workflow routing proceeds under the handoff above.

Step 1: Load Method Module

Read the corresponding method file from references/<method>.md.

You are now bound by that method's rules. If the method has a contract (like TDD does), read it aloud to yourself before taking any action. Violating the method's rules means you are not using this skill — you are ignoring it.

Step 2: Execute Method

Follow the loaded method's workflow exactly. Do NOT skip steps. Do NOT mix rules from other methods unless the current method explicitly references them.

If the method has checkpoints (like TDD):

• Complete each checkpoint before proceeding to the next.
• Show evidence at each checkpoint (test output, design doc, etc.).

If the method has a "small feature shortcut" or similar exception:

• Apply it ONLY when the change truly qualifies.
• When in doubt, use the full method.

Step 3: Return to Calling Context

After completing the method:

• If called from scenario-standards: return to the scenario-standards scenario flow at the point where /coding-tactics was invoked. Report what was done and what the next step in the scenario is.
• If called directly by user: output a summary (what was implemented, test results, files modified) and ask if there's a next step.

Method Status

Error Recovery

Method Execution Interrupted

If the current method's execution is interrupted (e.g., user asks to switch methods mid-flow):

1. Save progress: Note the last completed checkpoint and what remains.
2. Ask user: "You're switching from [current method] to [new method]. Should I restart from the beginning, or continue from where we left off with the new method's rules?"
3. Do NOT mix rules from the old and new method.

Method File Missing

If the selected method's file cannot be loaded:

1. Fallback to Direct Implementation: Load references/direct-implementation.md instead.
2. Inform the user: "The [method name] file could not be loaded. Falling back to Direct Implementation."
3. Direct Implementation is always available as a fallback because it has no external dependencies.

Method Mismatch Discovered

If during execution you realize the selected method is wrong for the task:

1. Stop immediately: Do NOT continue with the wrong method.
2. Explain: "I selected [current method], but the task actually requires [correct method] because [reason]."
3. Ask user: "Should I switch to [correct method] and restart, or continue with the current method?"