gsd-new-project

name	gsd:new-project
description	Initialize a new project with deep context gathering and PROJECT.md. Creates project structure, requirements, roadmap, and state.
version	1.0.0
author	GSD Project
tags	["project-initialization","questioning","requirements","roadmap"]
triggers	["new project","initialize project","start project"]
tools	["Read","Write","Bash","Task","AskUserQuestion"]

GSD New Project

Initialize a new project through unified flow: questioning → research (optional) → requirements → roadmap.

When to Use

Use this command when:

• Starting a new software project from scratch
• Need to gather project context, define requirements, and create roadmap
• Want to use structured project management with GSD

Core Responsibilities

1. Setup project structure - Initialize git repo, create .planning/ directory
2. Detect brownfield code - Offer to map codebase first if existing code found
3. Deep questioning - Extract user vision through collaborative conversation
4. Optional domain research - Spawn 4 parallel researchers if needed
5. Define requirements - Scope v1 features from table stakes and differentiators
6. Create roadmap - Generate phase structure with success criteria
7. Initialize STATE.md - Create project memory

Philosophy

Project Initialization is Dream Extraction

You're helping the user discover and articulate what they want to build. This isn't a contract negotiation — it's collaborative thinking.

Be a thinking partner, not an interviewer. Don't interrogate. Collaborate. Don't follow a script.

Start open. Let them dump their mental model. Don't interrupt with structure.

Follow energy. Whatever they emphasized, dig into that.

Process

Phase 1: Setup

MANDATORY FIRST STEP — Execute these checks before ANY user interaction:

1. Abort if project exists:

[ -f .planning/PROJECT.md ] && echo "ERROR: Project already initialized. Use /gsd:progress" && exit 1

2. Initialize git repo in THIS directory (required even if inside parent repo):

if [ -d .git ] || [ -f .git ]; then
    echo "Git repo exists in current directory"
else
    git init
    echo "Initialized new git repo"
fi

3. Detect existing code (brownfield detection):

# Check for code files
CODE_FILES=$(find . -name "*.ts" -o -name "*.js" -o -name "*.py" -o -name "*.go" -o -name "*.rs" -o -name "*.swift" -o -name "*.java" 2>/dev/null | grep -v node_modules | head -20)

HAS_PACKAGE=$([ -f package.json ] || [ -f requirements.txt ] || [ -f Cargo.toml ] || [ -f go.mod ] || [ -f Package.swift ] || [ -f pyproject.toml ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")

HAS_CODEBASE_MAP=$([ -d .planning/codebase ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")

You MUST run all bash commands above using the Bash tool before proceeding.

Phase 2: Brownfield Offer

If existing code detected and .planning/codebase/ doesn't exist:

Use AskUserQuestion:

• header: "Existing Code"
• question: "I detected existing code in this directory. Would you like to map the codebase first?"
• options:
  • "Map codebase first" — Run /gsd:map-codebase to understand existing architecture (Recommended)
  • "Skip mapping" — Proceed with project initialization

If "Map codebase first":

Run `/gsd:map-codebase` first, then return to `/gsd:new-project`
Exit command.

If "Skip mapping" or no existing code: Continue to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Deep Questioning

Display stage banner:

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Open conversation: Ask inline (freeform, NOT AskUserQuestion): "What do you want to build?"

Follow thread: Based on what they said, ask follow-up questions that dig into their response. Use AskUserQuestion with options that probe what they mentioned — interpretations, clarifications, concrete examples.

Consult questioning.md for techniques:

• Challenge vagueness
• Make abstract concrete
• Surface assumptions
• Find edges
• Reveal motivation
• Check context checklist mentally

Decision gate:**

When you could write a clear PROJECT.md, use AskUserQuestion:

• header: "Ready?"
• question: "I think I understand what you're after. Ready to create PROJECT.md?"
• options:
  • "Create PROJECT.md" — Let's move forward
  • "Keep exploring" — I want to share more / ask me more

Loop until "Create PROJECT.md" selected.

Phase 4: Workflow Preferences

Ask all workflow preferences in a single AskUserQuestion call (3 questions):

questions: [
  {
    "header": "Mode",
    "question": "How do you want to work?",
    "multiSelect": false,
    "options": [
      { "label": "YOLO (Recommended)", "description": "Auto-approve, just execute" },
      { "label": "Interactive", "description": "Confirm at each step" }
    ]
  },
  {
    "header": "Depth",
    "question": "How thorough should planning be?",
    "multiSelect": false,
    "options": [
      { "label": "Quick", "description": "Ship fast (3-5 phases, 1-3 plans each)" },
      { "label": "Standard", "description": "Balanced scope and speed (5-8 phases, 3-5 plans each)" },
      { "label": "Comprehensive", "description": "Thorough coverage (8-12 phases, 5-10 plans each)" }
    ]
  },
  {
    "header": "Execution",
    "question": "Run plans in parallel?",
    "multiSelect": false,
    "options": [
      { "label": "Parallel (Recommended)", "description": "Independent plans run simultaneously" },
      { "label": "Sequential", "description": "One plan at a time" }
    ]
  }
]

Create .planning/config.json with chosen mode, depth, and parallelization.

Phase 5: Research Decision

Use AskUserQuestion:

• header: "Research"
• question: "Research domain ecosystem before defining requirements?"
• options:
  • "Research first (Recommended)" — Discover standard stacks, expected features, architecture patterns
  • "Skip research" — I know this domain well, go straight to requirements

If "Research first": Display stage banner and spawn 4 parallel researchers (stack, features, architecture, pitfalls).

If "Skip research": Continue to Phase 6.

Phase 6: Define Requirements

Display stage banner:

If research exists: Present features by category from research/FEATURES.md.

If no research: Gather requirements through conversation.

Scope each category: Use AskUserQuestion:

• header: "[Category name]"
• question: "Which [category] features are in v1?"
• multiSelect: true
• options: [feature list]

Track responses:

• Selected → v1 requirements
• Unselected table stakes → v2
• Unselected differentiators → out of scope

Validate core value: Cross-check requirements against PROJECT.md core value.

Generate REQUIREMENTS.md:

• v1 requirements grouped by category with REQ-IDs
• v2 requirements (deferred)
• Out of scope items with reasoning

Phase 7: Create Roadmap

Display stage banner:

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Commit: `git add .planning/config.json && git commit -m "chore: add project config

Mode: [chosen mode]
Depth: [chosen depth]
Parallelization: [enabled/disabled]"

Phase 8: Create Roadmap

Display stage banner:

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1. Check for existing .planning/ directory
2. Check if project already exists (PROJECT.md)
3. Detect existing code
4. Initialize git repo
5. Deep question user about their vision
6. Gather workflow preferences
7. Optionally spawn researchers
8. Define requirements
9. Create roadmap
10. Initialize STATE.md

## Critical Rules

- **MANDATORY FIRST STEP** - Run setup checks BEFORE any user interaction
- **AskUserQuestion for brownfield** - Don't skip this decision
- **Follow thread, not script** - Let conversation flow naturally
- **Validate core value** - Ensure requirements support the one thing that must work
- **Create artifacts in order** - PROJECT.md first, then config, then requirements, roadmap, STATE
- **Commit each artifact** - Don't batch commits

## Success Criteria

- [ ] .planning/ directory created
- [ ] Git repository initialized
- [ ] Brownfield detection completed (or skipped)
- [ ] Deep questioning completed with clear PROJECT.md
- [ ] Workflow preferences captured in config.json
- [ ] Optional research completed (or skipped)
- [ ] Requirements defined with REQ-IDs
- [ ] Roadmap created with phases and success criteria
- [ ] STATE.md initialized with project memory
- [ ] User knows next step is `/gsd:plan-phase 1`

## Related Skills

- `@skills/gsd/agents/roadmapper` - Agent that will create roadmap
- `@skills/gsd/agents/project-researcher` - One of 4 parallel researchers
- `@skills/gsd/agents/research-synthesizer` - Synthesizes research outputs
- `@skills/gsd/references/questioning.md` - Questioning techniques
- `@skills/gsd/references/ui-brand.md` - UI/UX guidelines