Process change requests by analyzing impact on existing requirements and features, detecting conflicts with specs/designs/code. Determines if CR modifies existing feature (-> refinement) or requires new feature (-> requirement update + feature breakdown). Triggers on "change request", "CR", "modify feature", "update requirement".
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Process change requests by analyzing impact on existing requirements and features, detecting conflicts with specs/designs/code. Determines if CR modifies existing feature (-> refinement) or requires new feature (-> requirement update + feature breakdown). Triggers on "change request", "CR", "modify feature", "update requirement".
Task-Based Skill: Change Request
Purpose
Process change requests (CRs) systematically by:
Analyzing the change request against existing requirements and features
Classifying the CR as modification to existing feature or new feature
Detecting conflicts with existing specifications, technical designs, and dependencies
Routing to appropriate workflow (Feature Refinement or Requirement Update + Feature Breakdown)
Maintaining traceability and documentation
Important Notes
BLOCKING: Learn x-ipe-workflow-task-execution skill before executing this skill.
Note: If Agent does not have skill capability, go to .github/skills/ folder to learn skills. SKILL.md is the entry point.
IMPORTANT: When process_preference.interaction_mode == "dao-represent-human-to-interact", NEVER stop to ask the human. Instead, call x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer to get the answer. The DAO skill acts as the human representative and will provide the guidance needed to continue.
<input_init><fieldname="task_id"source="x-ipe-tool-task-board-manager (auto-generated)" /><fieldname="execution_mode"source="x-ipe-workflow-task-execution (from --workflow-mode@{name})" /><fieldname="workflow.name"source="x-ipe-workflow-task-execution (from --workflow-mode@{name})" /><fieldname="process_preference.interaction_mode"source="from caller (x-ipe-workflow-task-execution) or default 'interact-with-human'" /><fieldname="change_request_description"source="from human input" /><fieldname="business_justification"source="from human input" /><fieldname="extra_context_reference"source="from workflow context or N/A" /><fieldname="requirement_details_path"source="auto-detect from x-ipe-docs/requirements/ (default: x-ipe-docs/requirements/requirement-details.md)" /><fieldname="features_path"source="default x-ipe-docs/planning/features/features.json" /></input_init>
Definition of Ready
<definition_of_ready><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Change request description provided</name><verification>Input contains clear description of requested change</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Business justification available</name><verification>Rationale for the change is documented</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Requirement details exist</name><verification>x-ipe-docs/requirements/requirement-details.md exists</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Feature board exists</name><verification>x-ipe-docs/planning/features/features.json exists</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="recommended"><name>Requestor identified</name><verification>Name or role of person requesting the change is known</verification></checkpoint></definition_of_ready>
Execution Flow
Phase
Steps
Action
Gate
1. 博学之 — Study Broadly
1.1 Understand Change Request, 1.2 CR Context Study
Parse CR context, research similar features and standards
CR context established
2. 审问之 — Inquire Thoroughly
2.1 CR Challenge, 2.2 Analyze Impact
Challenge CR assumptions, review existing requirements and features
Impact analyzed
3. 慎思之 — Think Carefully
3.1 Detect Conflicts
Analyze spec/design/dependency conflicts with existing features
Conflicts classified
4. 明辨之 — Discern Clearly
4.1 Classify CR Type, 4.2 Route Workflow
Classify modification vs new feature, confirm classification
Classification confirmed
5. 笃行之 — Practice Earnestly
5.1 Execute & Document
Resolve conflicts, confirm large-scope changes with human, update spec + docs (both paths), create CR record
CR documented
继续执行
6.1
Decide Next Action
DAO-assisted next task decision
继续执行
6.2
Execute Next Action
Load skill, generate plan, execute
BLOCKING: Phase 3 must complete before Phase 4 — do NOT classify without conflict analysis.
BLOCKING: Classification MUST be confirmed before Phase 5 execution (manual/stop_for_question: human confirms; auto: DAO confirms via x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer).
BLOCKING: Specification MUST be updated for BOTH modification and new_feature classifications.
BLOCKING: Large-scope CRs require human confirmation of the proposed feature change solution BEFORE Phase 5 document changes are applied.
Execution Procedure
<procedurename="change-request"><execute_dor_checks_before_starting/><schedule_dod_checks_with_sub_agent_before_starting/><phase_0name="Board — Register Task"><step_0_1><name>Create Task on Board</name><action>
Call `x-ipe-tool-task-board-manager` → `task_create.py`:
- task_type: "Change Request"
- description: summarize work from input context
- status: "in_progress"
- role: from input context
- assignee: from input context
Store returned task_id for later update.
</action><output>Task created on board with status in_progress</output></step_0_1></phase_0><phase_1name="博学之 — Study Broadly"><step_1_1><name>Understand the Change Request</name><action>
1. Identify WHAT change is being requested
2. Identify WHO requested it and WHY
3. Identify WHEN it is needed (priority/urgency)
4. Document the CR context
</action><output>CR understanding summary</output></step_1_1><step_1_2><name>CR Context Study</name><action>
1. Use web search to research similar features, industry standards, best practices
2. Research how similar systems handle this type of change
3. Identify potential compliance or regulatory implications
4. Document relevant context for informed decision-making
</action><constraints>
- CRITICAL: Research before challenging — informed challenges are more productive
</constraints><output>CR context research summary</output></step_1_2></phase_1><phase_2name="审问之 — Inquire Thoroughly"><step_2_1><name>CR Challenge</name><action>
1. Challenge CR assumptions:
- Is this change truly necessary? What problem does it solve?
- Could the existing feature already handle this with configuration?
- Is the requested approach the best solution, or are there alternatives?
- What is the impact if this CR is NOT implemented?
2. Present challenges and ask for confirmation
3. Document challenge outcomes and confirmed scope
Response source (based on interaction_mode):
IF process_preference.interaction_mode == "dao-represent-human-to-interact":
→ Resolve via x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer
ELSE (interact-with-human/dao-represent-human-to-interact-for-questions-in-skill):
→ Ask human for confirmation
</action><output>Validated CR scope with challenge decisions</output></step_2_1><step_2_2><name>Analyze Impact</name><action>
0. Resolve extra_context_reference inputs (closing-report, specification)
1. READ requirement-details.md: understand project scope, identify related requirements
2. READ features.json (via x-ipe-tool-task-board-manager): list all features, note statuses, identify related features
3. FOR EACH related feature: read specification if exists (ACs, user stories, out-of-scope)
4. IF CR involves UI/UX changes:
a. Check FEATURE-XXX/mockups/ for existing mockups
b. Check specification Linked Mockups section for status
</action><output>Related features list with relevance notes, existing mockups identified</output></step_2_2></phase_2><phase_3name="慎思之 — Think Carefully"><step_3_1><name>Detect Conflicts</name><action>
1. Spawn sub-agent (Conflict Detector) to analyze CR against existing artifacts:
- Read specs and technical designs of related features
- Read implemented code for affected features
- Identify spec conflicts, design conflicts, dependency conflicts, pending CR conflicts
2. IF no conflicts: proceed to Phase 4
3. IF conflicts: classify each as "expected" or "unexpected"
4. IF any "unexpected": document with explanation, suggest mitigations
</action><constraints>
- BLOCKING: Do NOT proceed to Phase 4 with unanalyzed conflicts
- CRITICAL: Conflict Detector must examine actual artifacts, not just CR description
</constraints><output>Conflict analysis report with classified conflicts and mitigations</output></step_3_1></phase_3><phase_4name="明辨之 — Discern Clearly"><step_4_1><name>Classify CR Type</name><action>
1. Create comparison matrix (Users, Workflow, Data Model, UI, API)
2. Apply decision tree (see Classification Criteria below):
- No related feature → new_feature
- Related feature + fundamental scope change → new_feature
- Related feature + works within boundaries → modification
3. Incorporate conflict analysis results into classification reasoning
4. Document classification with reasoning
</action><output>classification (modification|new_feature), reasoning, affected features</output></step_4_1><step_4_2><name>Route Workflow</name><action>
1. Present CR summary: classification, conflict results, affected features
2. Wait for confirmation of classification and conflict decisions
3. IF changes requested: return to step 4.1 or Phase 3
Response source (based on interaction_mode):
IF process_preference.interaction_mode == "dao-represent-human-to-interact":
→ Confirm via x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer
ELSE (interact-with-human/dao-represent-human-to-interact-for-questions-in-skill):
→ Ask human to confirm
</action><constraints>
- BLOCKING (manual/stop_for_question): Do NOT proceed without human confirming classification
- BLOCKING (auto): Do NOT proceed without DAO confirming classification via x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer
</constraints><output>Confirmed classification and conflict decisions</output></step_4_2></phase_4><phase_5name="笃行之 — Practice Earnestly"><step_5_1><name>Execute & Document</name><action>
0. Resolve conflicting documents (from Phase 3 conflict analysis):
- Applies regardless of resolution method (human confirmation or interaction_mode)
- FOR EACH conflict with an existing document (spec, design, requirement):
a. IF minor conflict (wording update, small AC adjustment, additive change):
→ Directly update the target document inline with CR changes
b. IF major conflict (structural redesign, contradicting requirements, scope change):
→ Mark affected sections in target document with "[RETIRED by CR-XXX]" header
→ Add retirement note: reason, date, and reference to CR-XXX.md
→ Write replacement content in the appropriate location (new section or updated section)
0b. Large-scope confirmation gate:
- IF CR impacts a large scope of change (multiple features, structural redesign,
significant AC rewrites, or new workflows):
→ Present the proposed feature change solution (spec changes, affected ACs,
conflict resolutions) to human for confirmation BEFORE executing changes
→ Wait for human approval or revision
Response source (based on interaction_mode):
IF process_preference.interaction_mode == "dao-represent-human-to-interact":
→ Confirm via x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer
ELSE:
→ Ask human directly
- IF CR is small-scope (single feature, minor AC additions/edits):
→ Proceed without additional confirmation (Phase 4.2 already confirmed classification)
1. IF classification = "modification":
a. CREATE CR-XXX.md using templates/change-request.md
b. UPDATE specification.md: Version History + affected sections/ACs
c. IF CR affects high-level requirements: update requirement-details.md
d. IF UI/UX CR with existing mockups: create new mockup version (never override)
e. SET next_task_based_skill = x-ipe-task-based-feature-refinement
2. ELSE (classification = "new_feature"):
a. UPDATE requirement-details.md: add new requirement
b. UPDATE specification.md: Version History + new sections/ACs for the CR changes
c. SET next_task_based_skill = x-ipe-task-based-feature-breakdown
d. NOTE: CR-XXX.md created after feature breakdown creates folder
3. Create CR record at FEATURE-XXX/CR-XXX.md
4. IF execution_mode == "workflow-mode": Run `python3 .github/skills/x-ipe-tool-x-ipe-app-interactor/scripts/workflow_update_action.py` (action: "change_request", status: "done", deliverables: {cr-doc: CR path})
5. Verify all DoD checkpoints are met
6. IF manual/stop_for_question: present CR summary to human
</action><constraints>
- CRITICAL: Never override existing mockup files — create new versions
- CRITICAL: CR files go in feature folders (co-location)
- CRITICAL: Conflicting documents MUST be handled — minor conflicts updated inline, major conflicts marked retired
- CRITICAL: Specification MUST be updated for BOTH classification paths (modification AND new_feature)
- BLOCKING: Large-scope CRs MUST get human confirmation (step 0b) before applying document changes
</constraints><output>CR documented, conflicting docs resolved, next_task_based_skill set</output></step_5_1><step_5_2><name>Update Task on Board</name><action>
Call `x-ipe-tool-task-board-manager` → `task_update.py`:
- task_id: from Phase 0
- status: "done"
- output_links: list of deliverables produced in this skill execution
</action><output>Task marked done on board</output></step_5_2></phase_5><phase_6name="继续执行（Continue Execute）"><step_6_1><name>Decide Next Action</name><action>
Collect the full context and task_completion_output from this skill execution.
IF process_preference.interaction_mode == "dao-represent-human-to-interact":
→ Invoke x-ipe-assistant-user-representative-Engineer with:
type: "routing"
completed_skill_output: {full task_completion_output YAML from this skill}
next_task_based_skill: "{from output}"
context: "Skill completed. Study the context and full output to decide best next action."
→ DAO studies the complete context and decides the best next action
ELSE (interact-with-human):
→ Present next task suggestion to human and wait for instruction
</action><constraints>
- BLOCKING (manual): Human MUST confirm or redirect before proceeding
- BLOCKING (auto): Proceed after DoD verification; auto-select next task via DAO
</constraints><output>Next action decided with execution context</output></step_6_1><step_6_2><name>Execute Next Action</name><action>
Based on the decision from Step 6.1:
1. Load the target task-based skill's SKILL.md
2. Generate an execution plan from the skill's Execution Flow table
3. Start execution from the skill's first phase/step
</action><constraints>
- MUST load the skill before executing — do not skip skill loading
- Execution follows the target skill's procedure, not this skill's
</constraints><output>Next task execution started</output></step_6_2></phase_6></procedure>
Classification Criteria
Decision Tree: No related feature → new_feature | Related feature + fundamental scope change → new_feature | Related feature + within boundaries → modification
Classification
Indicators
new_feature (scope change)
New workflows, data models, user types/roles, integration points, purpose change
modification
Within boundaries, extends user stories, no new endpoints/screens, same users
new_feature (boundary)
Expands boundaries, new user stories, new UI/API/data models, separate docs
Update requirement-details.md (modification path) when: CR adds high-level capability, changes constraints, affects multiple features, changes user types, or modifies project-level business rules.
Output Result
task_completion_output:category:standalonestatus:completed|blockednext_task_based_skill:-skill:"x-ipe-task-based-feature-refinement"condition:"When CR modifies an existing feature"-skill:"x-ipe-task-based-feature-breakdown"condition:"When CR requires a new feature"process_preference:interaction_mode:"{from input process_preference.interaction_mode}"execution_mode:"{from input}"workflow:name:"{from input}"task_output_links:-"x-ipe-docs/requirements/FEATURE-XXX/CR-XXX.md"# Dynamic attributesfeature_id:"{FEATURE-XXX}"# Primary affected feature (modification path)cr_id:"CR-XXX"cr_classification:modification|new_featureaffected_features: ["FEATURE-XXX"] # For modificationsnew_feature_ids: ["FEATURE-XXX"] # For new featuresrequirement_updated:true|falsemockup_updated:true|false# Whether a new mockup version was createdupdated_mockup_paths: [] # Paths to new mockup versions (if applicable)conflicts_found: [] # List of conflicts identified (empty if none)conflicts_resolution:"none | all_expected | mitigated"# How conflicts were resolvedconflicting_docs_updated: [] # Docs updated inline for minor conflictsconflicting_docs_retired: [] # Doc sections marked retired for major conflicts
Definition of Done
CRITICAL: Use a sub-agent to validate DoD checkpoints independently.
<definition_of_done><checkpointrequired="true"><name>CR documented</name><verification>x-ipe-docs/requirements/FEATURE-XXX/CR-XXX.md exists with complete details</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Classification determined</name><verification>CR classified as modification or new_feature with documented reasoning</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Conflict analysis completed</name><verification>Conflicts checked against specs, designs, and dependencies; all unexpected conflicts resolved (manual/stop_for_question: with human; auto: via DAO)</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Classification and conflicts confirmed</name><verification>Classification confirmed before execution (manual/stop_for_question: human confirmed; auto: DAO confirmed), including conflict decisions</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Version history updated</name><verification>Specification Version History has CR entry (both modification and new_feature paths)</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Conflicting documents resolved</name><verification>All conflicting documents from Phase 3 handled: minor conflicts updated inline, major conflicts have sections marked "[RETIRED by CR-XXX]" with replacement content</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Documents updated</name><verification>Specification updated (both paths). Additionally: requirement-details.md updated if new_feature or high-level requirement change</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="true"><name>Next task type set</name><verification>next_task_based_skill = x-ipe-task-based-feature-refinement or x-ipe-task-based-feature-breakdown</verification></checkpoint><checkpointrequired="if-applicable"><name>Mockups updated for UI/UX CR</name><verification>If CR involves UI/UX changes and existing mockups found: new mockup version created (not overriding original), specification Linked Mockups updated, CR document references mockup impact</verification></checkpoint></definition_of_done>
MANDATORY: After completing this skill, return to x-ipe-workflow-task-execution to continue the task execution flow.
Patterns & Anti-Patterns
Pattern
When
Then
Classification Decision
Classification unclear
Score against criteria, if score diff ≤2 ask human (manual/stop_for_question) or DAO (auto)
Conflict Resolution
Unexpected conflicts found
Present with impact, suggest mitigations, split CR if severe
Enhancement CR
See [references/patterns.md]
Match existing feature, classify modification
Multi-Feature CR
CR touches many features
One CR = one classification; split if needed
Anti-Pattern
Why Bad
Do Instead
Skip classification
Wrong workflow chosen
Always classify explicitly
Classify before conflicts
May miss scope issues
Phase 3 (conflicts) before Phase 4 (classify)
No classification confirmation
Risk wrong direction
Always confirm classification at Phase 4.2 (human in manual/stop_for_question; DAO in auto)
