generate-task-breakdown

name	generate-task-breakdown
description	Break down product requirements and architecture into executable development tasks. Use when the user asks to plan implementation, create a task breakdown, generate development roadmap, or organize work into epics and tasks. This skill reads PRD and architecture documentation to generate structured task lists with acceptance criteria in docs/tasks/ and creates progress tracking in docs/progress/.

Task Breakdown Generator

Generate executable development tasks organized by epics with clear acceptance criteria from product requirements and architecture documentation. Track progress in dedicated progress files.

---

1. Load Context

Read the following files in order to understand what needs to be built:

1. Product Requirements: docs/PRD.md

   • Functional requirements (FR-01, FR-02, etc.)
   • Non-functional requirements
   • Scope (in/out)
   • User flows

2. Architecture: docs/architecture/*.md

   • Component design
   • Data flows
   • Extension points
   • Technical decisions

3. Use Cases (if exist): docs/use-cases/*.md

   • Specific user scenarios
   • Edge cases
   • Integration patterns

4. Workflow Guidelines: docs/engineering/WORKFLOW.md

   • Development process
   • Testing requirements
   • Quality standards

5. Existing Progress (if exist): docs/progress/*.md

   • Current task status
   • What needs to be resumed
   • Previous blockers or failures

---

2. Clarify Missing Information

If requirements or architecture are unclear:

• Identify the specific ambiguity
• Ask up to five clear questions in Portuguese (pt-BR)
• Do not create tasks for unclear requirements
• Suggest updating PRD or architecture documentation if gaps exist

---

3. Task Breakdown Structure

Epic Definition

An Epic is a large feature or capability that:

• Delivers complete user-facing functionality
• Can span multiple development sessions
• Maps to one or more functional requirements
• Has clear business value

Task Definition

A Task is a specific, actionable work item that:

• Can be completed in one development session (1-4 hours)
• Has clear acceptance criteria
• Can be tested independently
• Produces tangible output (code, config, test, doc)

---

4. Document Structure

Each task breakdown document follows this structure:

# [Epic Name]

**Epic ID**: [SLUG] (e.g., CTI, SP, JP)
**Epic Goal**: [One sentence describing the epic's purpose]

**Requirements Addressed**:

- FR-XX: [Requirement description]
- FR-YY: [Requirement description]

**Architecture Areas**:

- [Component or area from architecture docs]
- [Another relevant area]

---

## Tasks

### [SLUG-01] [Action-oriented task name]

**Description**:
[1-2 paragraphs explaining what needs to be implemented and why]

**Acceptance Criteria**:

- [ ] AC-1: [Specific, testable criterion]
- [ ] AC-2: [Specific, testable criterion]
- [ ] AC-3: [Specific, testable criterion]

**Technical Notes**:

- Implementation detail or constraint
- Reference to architecture component
- Dependencies on other tasks (if any)

**Files to Create/Modify**:

- `src/Path/To/Class.php`
- `config/laravel-tracing.php`
- `tests/Feature/ExampleTest.php`

**Testing**:

- [ ] Unit tests (if requested or complex logic)
- [ ] Feature tests (if applicable)
- [ ] Manual testing steps (if needed)

---

### [SLUG-02] [Another task name]

[Repeat structure]

---

## Summary

**Total Tasks**: X
**Estimated Complexity**: [Low/Medium/High]
**Dependencies**: [Any external dependencies or blockers]

---

4.1 Task ID System

Every task must have a unique ID for tracking:

ID Format

[EPIC_SLUG]-[NN]

Where:
- EPIC_SLUG: 2-4 uppercase letters derived from epic name
- NN: Two-digit sequential number (01, 02, etc.)

Epic Slug Examples

Epic Name	Slug
Core Tracing Infrastructure	CTI
Session Persistence	SP
Job Propagation	JP
HTTP Client Integration	HCI
Custom Tracing Sources	CTS
Configuration	CFG
Documentation	DOC

Task ID Examples

• CTI-01: First task in Core Tracing Infrastructure
• CTI-02: Second task in Core Tracing Infrastructure
• SP-01: First task in Session Persistence
• JP-03: Third task in Job Propagation

IDs are permanent - once assigned, they don't change even if task order changes.

---

4.2 Progress Tracking System

Progress tracking is separate from task definitions:

• docs/tasks/ = What to do (planning, immutable after creation)
• docs/progress/ = Execution status (tracking, updated during development)

Progress File Structure

For each epic in docs/tasks/, create a corresponding progress file in docs/progress/:

docs/tasks/core-tracing-infrastructure.md    → docs/progress/core-tracing-infrastructure.md
docs/tasks/session-persistence.md            → docs/progress/session-persistence.md
docs/tasks/job-propagation.md                → docs/progress/job-propagation.md

Progress Document Template

# Progress: [Epic Name]

**Epic ID**: [SLUG]
**Task Definition**: [../tasks/epic-name.md](../tasks/epic-name.md)
**Last Updated**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM

---

## Status Summary

| Task ID | Task Name                       | Status | Commit/PR |
| ------- | ------------------------------- | ------ | --------- |
| CTI-01  | Implement CorrelationIdResolver | TODO   | -         |
| CTI-02  | Add session persistence         | TODO   | -         |
| CTI-03  | Create TracingMiddleware        | TODO   | -         |

**Progress**: 0/3 tasks complete

---

## Task Details

### CTI-01: Implement CorrelationIdResolver

**Status**: `TODO`
**Started**: -
**Completed**: -
**Commit**: -
**PR**: -

**Notes**:

- (none)

**Blockers**:

- (none)

---

### CTI-02: Add session persistence

**Status**: `TODO`
**Started**: -
**Completed**: -
**Commit**: -
**PR**: -

**Notes**:

- (none)

**Blockers**:

- (none)

---

[Repeat for all tasks...]

---

## Epic Notes

(General notes about this epic's progress, decisions made, issues encountered)

Task Status Values

Status	Description	When to Use
TODO	Not started	Task has not been worked on yet
IN_PROGRESS	Currently working	Active development in progress
DONE	Completed successfully	All ACs pass, code committed
FAILED	Failed, needs retry	Implementation failed, needs new approach
BLOCKED	Waiting for decision/action	Cannot proceed without external input

Status Transitions

TODO → IN_PROGRESS → DONE
                  ↘ FAILED → TODO (retry)
                  ↘ BLOCKED → TODO (when unblocked)

Updating Progress

When starting a task:

**Status**: `IN_PROGRESS`
**Started**: 2026-02-10 14:30

When completing a task:

**Status**: `DONE`
**Completed**: 2026-02-10 16:45
**Commit**: abc1234
**PR**: #42

When a task fails:

**Status**: `FAILED`
**Notes**:

- Attempted approach X but failed because Y
- Need to try approach Z instead
- Related issue: Session not available in middleware

When a task is blocked:

**Status**: `BLOCKED`
**Blockers**:

- ⚠️ Need decision: Should we use cookies or Laravel session for persistence?
- ⚠️ Waiting for: Architecture clarification on job serialization format

---

4.3 Progress Overview Document

Create docs/progress/README.md with overall tracking:

# Development Progress

**Last Updated**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM

## Epic Progress

| Epic                                  | Total  | TODO   | In Progress | Done  | Failed | Blocked | Progress |
| ------------------------------------- | ------ | ------ | ----------- | ----- | ------ | ------- | -------- |
| [CTI](core-tracing-infrastructure.md) | 5      | 3      | 1           | 1     | 0      | 0       | 20%      |
| [SP](session-persistence.md)          | 3      | 3      | 0           | 0     | 0      | 0       | 0%       |
| [JP](job-propagation.md)              | 4      | 4      | 0           | 0     | 0      | 0       | 0%       |
| **Total**                             | **12** | **10** | **1**       | **1** | **0**  | **0**   | **8%**   |

## Current Focus

**Active Task**: CTI-02 - Add session persistence
**Epic**: Core Tracing Infrastructure
**Started**: 2026-02-10 14:30

## Blocked Items

| Task ID | Blocker | Since |
| ------- | ------- | ----- |
| (none)  | -       | -     |

## Failed Items (Need Retry)

| Task ID | Reason | Failed At |
| ------- | ------ | --------- |
| (none)  | -      | -         |

## Recent Completions

| Task ID | Task Name                       | Completed  | Commit  |
| ------- | ------------------------------- | ---------- | ------- |
| CTI-01  | Implement CorrelationIdResolver | 2026-02-10 | abc1234 |

## Notes

(Overall progress notes, decisions, blockers affecting multiple tasks)

---

5. Task Naming Convention

Use action-oriented, specific names:

✅ Good:

• "Implement CorrelationIdResolver class"
• "Add session persistence for correlation ID"
• "Create TracingMiddleware with header extraction"
• "Configure HTTP client tracing integration"

❌ Bad:

• "Correlation ID feature"
• "Fix middleware"
• "Update code"
• "Implement tracing"

---

6. Acceptance Criteria Rules

Each acceptance criterion must be:

1. Specific: No ambiguous terms like "works well" or "is good"
2. Testable: Can be verified through code, tests, or manual check
3. Observable: Produces visible behavior or output
4. Independent: Can be checked without depending on other ACs

Format: Use checkbox list with AC-X numbering

✅ Good ACs:

• AC-1: CorrelationIdResolver class is created in src/Resolvers/ namespace
• AC-2: Class has resolve(Request $request): string public method
• AC-3: Method returns UUID when no correlation ID exists in request
• AC-4: Method preserves existing correlation ID from session
• AC-5: composer lint passes with no errors

❌ Bad ACs:

• Code is clean
• Correlation ID works
• Tests are added
• Documentation is good

---

7. Task Granularity Guidelines

Too Large (Split into multiple tasks):

• "Implement entire tracing system"
• "Build middleware and all resolvers"
• "Add all configuration options"

Just Right:

• "Create CorrelationIdResolver class with session persistence"
• "Add TracingMiddleware to register headers on incoming requests"
• "Implement config file with default tracing sources"

Too Small (Combine with related work):

• "Import Str facade"
• "Add docblock to method"
• "Format code with Pint"

---

8. Task Ordering

Order tasks by:

1. Foundation first: Core classes, interfaces, service provider
2. Features second: Middleware, resolvers, facades
3. Integration third: HTTP client, job propagation
4. Extensions last: Custom tracing sources, replaceability

Within each category, order by:

• Dependencies (what depends on what)
• Risk (tackle risky/unknown items early)
• Value (high-value features first)

---

9. Epic Organization

Group tasks into epics based on:

Functional grouping (preferred):

• Epic: Core Tracing Infrastructure
• Epic: Session Persistence
• Epic: Job Propagation
• Epic: HTTP Client Integration
• Epic: Custom Tracing Sources

NOT by technical layer: ❌ Epic: Models ❌ Epic: Controllers ❌ Epic: Tests

---

10. File Output

File Naming

Use semantic slugs matching epic name:

Task definitions (lowercase-with-dashes.md):

docs/tasks/core-tracing-infrastructure.md
docs/tasks/session-persistence.md
docs/tasks/job-propagation.md
docs/tasks/http-client-integration.md
docs/tasks/custom-tracing-sources.md

Progress tracking (same slugs):

docs/progress/core-tracing-infrastructure.md
docs/progress/session-persistence.md
docs/progress/job-propagation.md
docs/progress/http-client-integration.md
docs/progress/custom-tracing-sources.md

Output Location

docs/tasks/                              # Task definitions (what to do)
├── README.md                            # Epic overview
├── core-tracing-infrastructure.md
├── session-persistence.md
└── ...

docs/progress/                           # Progress tracking (execution status)
├── README.md                            # Overall progress dashboard
├── core-tracing-infrastructure.md
├── session-persistence.md
└── ...

---

11. Cross-Referencing

Each task document must reference:

• PRD Requirements: FR-XX codes from docs/PRD.md
• Architecture Components: Specific files/classes from docs/architecture/
• Related Tasks: Dependencies between task documents
• Workflow Standards: Reference to quality checks from docs/engineering/WORKFLOW.md

---

12. Testing Requirements (from WORKFLOW.md)

Every task with code changes must include:

**Testing**:

- [ ] `composer lint` passes (mandatory)
- [ ] `composer test` passes (if tests exist)
- [ ] Feature tests added (if new user-facing behavior)
- [ ] Unit tests added (if complex logic)
- [ ] Manual testing performed (describe steps)

---

13. Special Task Types

Configuration Task

For tasks adding configuration:

**Configuration Changes**:

- Config key: `laravel-tracing.sources.correlation_id.enabled`
- Environment variable: `LARAVEL_TRACING_CORRELATION_ID_ENABLED`
- Default value: `true`
- Validation: Must be boolean

Extensibility Task

For tasks adding extension points:

**Extension Point**:

- Contract/Interface: `TracingSourceContract`
- Required methods: `resolve(Request $request): string`
- Registration: Via config `laravel-tracing.sources.custom`
- Example: See `docs/architecture/EXTENSIONS.md`

Documentation Task

For tasks adding user documentation:

**Documentation Updates**:

- [ ] Update `README.md` with installation steps
- [ ] Add configuration example
- [ ] Document extension mechanism
- [ ] Add troubleshooting section

---

14. Complexity Estimation

Rate each epic's complexity:

• Low: Well-understood, straightforward implementation, few edge cases
• Medium: Some complexity, minor unknowns, standard Laravel patterns
• High: Complex logic, many edge cases, new patterns, external dependencies

Use this to prioritize and plan development time.

---

15. Dependency Tracking

For tasks with dependencies, use Task IDs:

**Dependencies**:

- ⚠️ Depends on: CTI-01 (CorrelationIdResolver must exist first)
- ⚠️ Blocks: SP-02, JP-01 (these tasks wait for this one)
- ⚠️ Related to: CTI-03 (can be done in parallel)

Use emoji ⚠️ to make dependencies visible.

Dependency Rules

• Always reference by Task ID (e.g., CTI-01), not by task name only
• Document both directions: what this task depends on AND what it blocks
• Mark parallel-safe tasks as "Related to"

---

16. Validation Checklist

Before completing, verify:

Task Definitions:

• All functional requirements from PRD have corresponding tasks
• Tasks are granular enough (1-4 hours each)
• All tasks have unique IDs (EPIC_SLUG-NN format)
• All tasks have specific, testable acceptance criteria
• Epic organization is functional, not technical
• Tasks are ordered by dependencies and risk
• Testing requirements are included
• Configuration changes are documented
• Extension points are clearly defined
• Files to create/modify are listed
• Cross-references to PRD and architecture exist

Progress Tracking:

• Progress file created for each epic
• All tasks listed in progress status summary table
• Progress README.md created with overall dashboard
• All task statuses initialized to TODO

---

17. Creating Overview Documents

After generating all epic task breakdowns, create two overview documents:

Task Overview: docs/tasks/README.md

# Development Task Breakdown

## Epic Overview

| Epic                                                          | ID  | Tasks | Complexity | Priority |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | --- | ----- | ---------- | -------- |
| [Core Tracing Infrastructure](core-tracing-infrastructure.md) | CTI | 5     | Medium     | High     |
| [Session Persistence](session-persistence.md)                 | SP  | 3     | Low        | High     |
| ...                                                           | ... | ...   | ...        | ...      |

## Task Reference

| Task ID | Task Name                       | Epic                | Dependencies |
| ------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------ |
| CTI-01  | Implement CorrelationIdResolver | Core Tracing        | -            |
| CTI-02  | Add session persistence         | Core Tracing        | CTI-01       |
| SP-01   | Configure session storage       | Session Persistence | CTI-02       |
| ...     | ...                             | ...                 | ...          |

## Development Order

1. [Epic name] - Reason
2. [Epic name] - Reason
3. ...

## Total Effort

- **Total Epics**: X
- **Total Tasks**: Y
- **Overall Complexity**: Medium/High

Progress Overview: docs/progress/README.md

See section 4.3 for template. This document tracks:

• Epic-level progress percentages
• Currently active task
• Blocked and failed items
• Recent completions
• Overall notes

---

18. Language Rules

• Task documents: English (tasks, ACs, technical notes)
• Clarifying questions: Portuguese (pt-BR)

---

19. Avoid Common Mistakes

❌ Don't:

• Create tasks for reading documentation
• Create tasks for running composer lint or composer test (these are implicit)
• Write vague ACs like "works correctly" or "is implemented"
• Create tasks for every single class method
• Group unrelated work into one large task
• Forget to reference PRD requirements

✅ Do:

• Focus on deliverable functionality
• Make ACs specific and testable
• Keep tasks focused and independent
• Reference architecture decisions
• Include configuration and extensibility
• Document dependencies explicitly

---

Completion Criteria

Task breakdown is complete when:

Task Definitions:

1. ✅ All PRD functional requirements are covered by tasks
2. ✅ All architecture components are represented
3. ✅ Tasks are properly sized (1-4 hours each)
4. ✅ All tasks have unique IDs (EPIC_SLUG-NN format)
5. ✅ Acceptance criteria are specific and testable
6. ✅ Dependencies are documented with Task IDs
7. ✅ Testing requirements are included
8. ✅ Task overview/README exists with epic summary

Progress Tracking: 9. ✅ Progress file exists for each epic in docs/progress/ 10. ✅ Progress README.md exists with overall dashboard 11. ✅ All tasks initialized with TODO status

---

Next Steps After Task Breakdown

Once tasks and progress tracking are generated, use the implement-task skill to begin development:

"Implemente a task CTI-01"

Or ask for implementation of the first task:

"Qual a primeira task a ser implementada?"

The implement-task skill will:

1. Read task definition and acceptance criteria
2. Create semantic branch
3. Update progress to IN_PROGRESS
4. Implement following CODE_STANDARDS.md
5. Run quality gates (lint, test, security)
6. Update progress to DONE
7. Ask about opening Pull Request

---

Progress Tracking Commands

Use these phrases to trigger progress updates:

• "Iniciar task CTI-01" → Sets task to IN_PROGRESS
• "Concluir task CTI-01" → Sets task to DONE, prompts for commit
• "Task CTI-01 falhou" → Sets task to FAILED, prompts for notes
• "Task CTI-01 bloqueada" → Sets task to BLOCKED, prompts for blocker
• "Status do progresso" → Shows current progress overview

---

Tasks serve as the implementation contract between planning and development. Progress tracking provides visibility and recoverability for long-running work.