sdd-tasks

name	sdd-tasks
description	Dependency-ordered task breakdown for spec-driven development
methodology	sdd

SDD Tasks Skill

Break a design into a dependency-ordered list of implementation tasks. Each task must be independently completable and testable.

Steps

1. Identify leaf-level tasks: Find the smallest independently implementable units.

   • Each task should produce a working, tested component
   • Tasks should be completable in 30 min – 4 hours
   • Tasks that cannot be tested independently need to be split further

2. Identify dependencies: Map which tasks depend on others.

   • Task B depends on Task A if B requires A's output to compile or run
   • Mark dependencies explicitly (not just "nice to have A first")
   • Identify the critical path (longest chain of dependencies)

3. Build a dependency graph: Visualize the execution order.

   Task 1 (no deps)
   Task 2 (no deps)
   Task 3 (depends: Task 1)
   Task 4 (depends: Task 1, Task 2)
   Task 5 (depends: Task 3, Task 4)
   

4. Group into phases: Batch independent tasks for parallel execution.

   • Phase 1: Tasks with no dependencies
   • Phase 2: Tasks whose dependencies are complete after Phase 1
   • Continue until all tasks are assigned

5. Estimate effort: Assign complexity to each task.

   • S (Simple): ≤ 30 min — single function, no new abstraction
   • M (Medium): 30 min–2 hrs — new type or interface, some design needed
   • L (Large): 2–4 hrs — multiple components, requires careful integration
   • Tasks estimated L or larger should be split if possible

6. Write acceptance criteria per task: Each task needs a clear done condition.

   • What tests must pass?
   • What behavior must be observable?
   • What artifacts must exist (new file, new type, updated interface)?

Output Format

## Task Plan: <feature name>

### Dependency Graph

```

Phase 1 (parallel)

• Task 1: [S] Depends on: none Done when:

• Task 2: [M] Depends on: none Done when:

Phase 2 (parallel after Phase 1)

• Task 3: [M] Depends on: Task 1 Done when:

Summary

Phase	Tasks	Effort
1	2	S+M
2	1	M
Total	3	~3-4 hrs