| name | ring:planning-large-features |
| description | Planning the 8-gate Large Track pre-dev workflow (research, PRD, feature map, TRD, API contract, data model, dependency map, plan) with per-gate human approval. Use for features 2+ days that add dependencies, data models, multi-service integration, or new architecture. Skip for small features (use ring:planning-small-features). Plans only — no edits. |
Large Track Pre-Dev Workflow (8 Gates)
When to use
- Feature takes >=2 days to implement
- Adds new external dependencies (APIs, databases, libraries)
- Creates new data models or entities
- Requires multi-service integration
- Uses new architecture patterns
- Requires team collaboration
Skip when
- Feature is simple (<2 days, existing patterns) - use ring:planning-small-features instead
- No new dependencies, data models, or architecture patterns needed
Sequence
Runs before: ring:running-dev-cycle, ring:executing-plans
Related
Complementary: ring:planning-small-features, ring:creating-worktrees, ring:product-designer + ring:validating-ux-completeness (standalone UX step, recommended when feature has UI)
Skills orchestrated:
- ring:researching-features
- ring:writing-prds
- ring:mapping-feature-relationships
- ring:writing-trds
- ring:designing-api-contracts
- ring:designing-data-model
- ring:pinning-dependency-versions
- ring:writing-plans
Running the Large Track pre-development workflow for features that take ≥2 days, add new external dependencies, create new data models, require multi-service integration, use new architecture patterns, or require team collaboration.
For simple features (<2 days, existing patterns), use ring:planning-small-features instead.
Gate Map
| Gate | Skill | Output |
|---|
| 0 | ring:researching-features | research.md |
| 1 | ring:writing-prds | prd.md |
| 2 | ring:mapping-feature-relationships | feature-map.md |
| 3 | ring:writing-trds | trd.md |
| 4 | ring:designing-api-contracts | openapi.yaml |
| 5 | ring:designing-data-model | schema.sql / schema.prisma (stack-native) |
| 6 | ring:pinning-dependency-versions | dependencies.md |
| 7 | ring:writing-plans | plan.md |
All artifacts saved to: docs/pre-dev/<feature-name>/
Step 1: Gather Feature Name
AskUserQuestion: "What is the name of your feature?" (kebab-case, e.g., "auth-system", "payment-processing")
Step 2: Topology Discovery (MANDATORY)
Execute topology discovery per shared-patterns/topology-discovery.md. Discovers project structure (fullstack/backend-only/frontend-only), repository organization (single-repo/monorepo/multi-repo), module paths, and UI configuration. Store as TopologyConfig for all subsequent gates.
Step 3: Gather Feature-Specific Inputs
Q2 (CONDITIONAL): Auth requirements — auto-detect from go.mod (lib-auth present → skip). Options: None, User only, User + permissions, Service-to-service, Full.
Q3 (CONDITIONAL): License requirements — auto-detect from go.mod (lib-license-go present → skip). Options: No, Yes.
Q4 (MANDATORY): Has UI? Options: Yes, No. Always ask — do not assume from feature description.
Q5 (if Q4=Yes): UI component library — auto-detect from package.json. Options: shadcn/ui + Radix (recommended), Chakra UI, Headless UI, Material UI, Ant Design, Custom.
Q6 (if Q4=Yes): Styling approach — auto-detect from package.json. Options: TailwindCSS (recommended), CSS Modules, Styled Components, Sass/SCSS, Vanilla CSS.
Step 4: Execute Gates Sequentially
Each gate invokes its sub-skill. Human approval required at each gate before proceeding.
Gate execution rules:
- Gates 0-3, 6, and 7 always run for Large Track
- Gate 4 (API contract) runs only if the feature has an API surface; otherwise record it as
"SKIPPED" in workflow-state.json
- Gate 5 (Data model) runs only if the feature has persistent data; otherwise record it as
"SKIPPED" in workflow-state.json
- Gate 7 (Plan): invoke
ring:writing-plans with trd.md as spec input plus feature-map.md, openapi.yaml, the schema file, and dependencies.md as supporting inputs, passing TopologyConfig. Binding constraint: plan phases mirror feature-map.md ## Phases one-to-one. Output path: docs/pre-dev/{feature}/plan.md (overrides the writing-plans default). plan.md is always a SINGLE document per feature. Topology clause: when TopologyConfig structure is monorepo or multi-repo, each epic carries one line **Target:** backend | frontend | infra (placed right before **Status:**); for multi-repo, the orchestrator copies plan.md into each repo and the local dev-cycle executes only epics whose Target matches that repo. No per-module plan splits.
Standalone UX step (if Q4=Yes): after Gate 1 approval, RECOMMEND running ring:product-designer + ring:validating-ux-completeness before Gate 3. It is optional, not a gate, and not tracked in workflow-state.json. If design-validation.md exists when Gate 3 runs, the TRD honors its verdict; if absent, proceed and note the UX risk.
Gate Progress Tracking
Save state to docs/pre-dev/{feature}/workflow-state.json:
{
"track": "large",
"feature": "{feature-name}",
"currentGate": 0,
"gates": {
"0": "PENDING", "1": "PENDING", "2": "PENDING", "3": "PENDING",
"4": "PENDING|SKIPPED", "5": "PENDING|SKIPPED", "6": "PENDING", "7": "PENDING"
},
"topology": {},
"inputs": {"hasUI":
Legal gate values: PENDING, APPROVED, SKIPPED (gates 4/5 only, per the conditional execution rules above).
Execution Mode
AskUserQuestion at start: "Execution mode?"
- Automatic — all gates execute, pause only on failure
- Manual — checkpoint and wait for approval after each gate
Completion
After Gate 7 approved: docs/pre-dev/{feature}/plan.md is the single execution document. Execute with ring:running-dev-cycle (subagent orchestration) or ring:executing-plans (inline).
