| name | gsd-best-practices |
| description | Best practices for agentic workflow coordination, checkpoints, and session continuity. |
GSD Best Practices Skill
This skill provides refined patterns for coordinating complex agentic workflows, handling user interaction points (checkpoints), and maintaining session continuity.
1. Interaction Points (Checkpoints)
GSD uses structured checkpoints to formalize interaction with the user.
- Human-Verify: Used when code is written/deployed. Claude sets up the environment (e.g., starts dev server) and the user confirms visual/functional behavior.
- Decision: Used when architectural or technology choices are needed. Claude presents balanced pros/cons.
- Human-Action: Used ONLY for non-automatable steps like email verification or MFA.
Golden Rule: If it has a CLI or API, the agent must automate it. Never ask a user to run a command that the agent can execute.
2. Session Continuity
Always provide a clear "Next Up" block after completing a major task.
- Format: Give the name, description, and the exact command to copy-paste.
- Context: Pull names from
ROADMAP.md or PLAN.md.
- Advice: Always suggest
/clear before starting a new phase/plan to keep the context window fresh.
3. Planning Configuration
Configuration for the .planning/ directory should be respected:
commit_docs: If true (default), commit planning artifacts to git. If false, keep them local.
search_gitignored: If true, include .planning/ in broad searches even if gitignored.
git.branching_strategy: Support none, phase, or milestone branching.
4. Execution Protocol
- Stop at Checkpoints: Do not proceed until the user responds.
- Verify Setup: Never ask a user to visit a URL if the server failed to start or the deployment failed. Fix the environment first.
- Atomic Commits: Each task in a plan should result in an atomic commit once it's verified.