debate-vs

name	debate-vs
description	Claude debates an opponent LLM (Gemini or Codex) through multi-turn MCP conversation, then synthesizes the best approach and implements.

Debate an opponent LLM on the best implementation approach using multi-turn conversations, then synthesize and implement.

Configuration

Arguments: $ARGUMENTS

Check the arguments for flags:

Opponent flags (mutually exclusive, exactly one required):

• --gemini → debate Gemini (model: "gemini")
• --codex → debate Codex (model: "openai")

Mode flags:

• --dry-run → debate and plan only, skip implementation
• --skip-final → skip the final review phase
• --rounds N → number of debate rounds (default: 1, max: 3). Each round = Claude argues + opponent responds.

Strip all flags from arguments to get the task description.

Set variables based on opponent flag:

• OPPONENT: "Gemini" or "Codex"
• MODEL: "gemini" or "openai"

If neither --gemini nor --codex is provided, ask the user which opponent to use.

Phase 1: Understand the Task (No Questions)

1. Explore the codebase - use Glob, Grep, Read to understand:

   • Relevant files and their structure
   • Existing patterns and conventions
   • Dependencies and interfaces

2. Make reasonable assumptions - do NOT ask clarifying questions

   • Use best judgment based on codebase context
   • Prefer simpler solutions when ambiguous
   • Follow existing patterns in the codebase

3. Prepare context summary - create a brief summary of:

   • The task to be implemented
   • Relevant files discovered
   • Key patterns and conventions in the codebase
   • Any constraints or considerations

Phase 2: Opening Arguments

Both debaters propose their approach independently.

Step 1: Claude's Opening Argument

You ARE the debater. Form your own implementation approach based on what you found in Phase 1. Write it out in full:

## Claude's Opening Argument

1. **Approach**: [2-3 sentences]
2. **Key decisions**: [architectural/design decisions]
3. **Files**: [files to create or modify]
4. **Steps**: [implementation steps]
5. **Trade-offs**: [pros and cons]

Present this to the user so they can see your position.

Step 2: Opponent's Opening Argument

Call mcp__consult-llm__consult_llm with:

• model: MODEL
• prompt: The opening argument prompt below
• files: Array of relevant source files discovered in Phase 1

Opening prompt:

I need to implement the following task:

[Task description]

Here's what I found in the codebase:
[Context summary - relevant files, patterns, conventions]

Propose your implementation approach:
1. **Approach**: Describe your recommended approach in 2-3 sentences
2. **Key decisions**: List the main architectural/design decisions
3. **Files**: What files to create or modify
4. **Steps**: High-level implementation steps
5. **Trade-offs**: What are the pros and cons of this approach?

Be specific and opinionated. Defend your choices.

Extract the thread_id from the response prefix [thread_id:xxx]. Store it for subsequent rounds.

Present the opponent's opening argument to the user as ## OPPONENT's Opening Argument.

Phase 3: Debate Rounds

For each round (default 1, configurable with --rounds N):

Claude's Turn

Analyze the opponent's latest argument. Write your rebuttal:

## Claude's Rebuttal (Round N)

1. **Critique**: [weaknesses in opponent's approach]
2. **Defense**: [address weaknesses opponent identified in your approach]
3. **Concessions**: [good ideas from opponent worth adopting]
4. **Updated position**: [your refined recommendation]

Present this to the user.

Opponent's Turn

Call mcp__consult-llm__consult_llm with:

• model: MODEL
• thread_id: The thread_id from the previous response
• prompt: The rebuttal prompt below
• files: Array of relevant source files

Rebuttal prompt:

Your opponent (Claude) has responded with this rebuttal:

[Claude's rebuttal from above]

Provide your counter-argument:
1. **Critique**: What are the weaknesses in Claude's approach and rebuttal?
2. **Defense**: Address the weaknesses Claude identified in your approach
3. **Concessions**: Are there any good ideas from Claude worth adopting?
4. **Updated position**: State your refined recommendation

Be constructive but thorough in your critique.

Update the thread_id from the response prefix if a new one is returned.

Present the opponent's rebuttal to the user as ## OPPONENT's Rebuttal (Round N).

Phase 4: Synthesis and Plan

As both debater and moderator, synthesize the final approach:

1. Score the arguments:

   • Which approach is simpler?
   • Which approach better fits existing patterns?
   • Which critiques were valid?
   • What concessions were made?

2. Identify consensus: Where did you and the opponent agree?

3. Resolve disagreements: For each point of contention:

   • Evaluate the arguments from both sides
   • Be honest about where the opponent had the stronger argument
   • Prefer simpler solutions when arguments are equally strong

4. Write the verdict as part of the plan:

# [Feature Name] Implementation Plan

**Goal:** [One sentence describing what this builds]

## Debate Summary

**Claude's position:** [1-2 sentence summary] **OPPONENT's position:** [1-2
sentence summary]

**Points of agreement:**

- [Consensus point 1]
- [Consensus point 2]

**Resolved disagreements:**

- [Issue]: Claude said X, OPPONENT said Y → **Verdict:** [Decision and why]

**Verdict:** [2-3 sentences on the final synthesized approach]

---

### Task 1: [Short description]

**Files:**

- Create: `exact/path/to/file.py`
- Modify: `exact/path/to/existing.py` (lines 123-145)

**Steps:**

1. [Specific action]
2. [Specific action]

**Code:**

```language
// Include actual code, not placeholders
```

---

Guidelines:

• Exact file paths - never "somewhere in src/"
• Complete code - show the actual code
• Small tasks - 2-5 minutes of work each
• DRY, YAGNI - only what's needed
• Be honest - credit the opponent when its ideas won

Save the plan to history/plan-<feature-name>.md.

Phase 5: Implement

If --dry-run: Skip to Phase 7 (Summary) - report the debate and plan without implementing.

Implement the plan without further interaction:

1. Follow the plan exactly - implement each task in order
2. Commit after each logical unit - keep commits small and focused
3. If something is unclear - make a reasonable decision and note it in the commit message
4. If a task fails - attempt to fix it before moving on
5. Only stop if there's a blocking error that cannot be resolved

Implementation rules:

• Work through tasks sequentially
• Test changes when possible
• Keep commits atomic and well-documented
• Use commit messages that explain the "why"

Phase 6: Final Review

If --skip-final: Skip to Phase 7 (Summary).

After implementation, have the opponent review using the existing thread (full debate context):

Call mcp__consult-llm__consult_llm with:

• model: MODEL
• thread_id: The thread_id from the debate
• prompt: Final review prompt below
• git_diff: { "files": [list of changed files], "base_ref": "HEAD~N" }

Final review prompt:

The implementation is complete. Review the changes:
- Any bugs or edge cases missed?
- Does the implementation match what we agreed on during the debate?
- Code quality issues?
- Security concerns?

Be concise. Only flag issues worth fixing.

Apply fixes if the opponent identifies clearly valid concerns:

• Fix bugs and edge cases
• Commit each fix separately with clear messages

Skip minor style suggestions.

Phase 7: Summary

Present a final summary to the user:

## Summary

**Implemented:** [One sentence describing what was built]

**Debate outcome (Claude vs OPPONENT):**
- Claude advocated: [key position]
- OPPONENT advocated: [key position]
- Final verdict: [who won which points, synthesized approach]

**Key decisions from debate:**
- [Decision 1 - who proposed it and why it won]
- [Decision 2 - who proposed it and why it won]

**Post-implementation fixes:**
- [Fix applied after final review, if any]

**Commits:**
- `abc1234` - [commit message]
- `def5678` - [commit message]