| name | manifold-m4-prd |
| description | PRD generation module for m4-generate — loaded on demand when --prd flag is used |
/manifold:m4-prd
PRD Generation (--prd flag)
Module: Loaded by /manifold:m4-generate when --prd flag is specified.
Do not invoke directly.
When --prd is specified, generate an industry-standard Product Requirements Document from the manifold.
PRD Output Location
docs/<feature>/PRD.md
PRD Structure (13 Sections + Appendices)
# PRD: [Feature Name]
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| **Author** | [From manifold meta or "Product Manager"] |
| **Status** | Draft / In Review / Approved |
| **Created** | [timestamp] |
| **Last Updated** | [timestamp] |
| **Manifold** | `.manifold/<feature>.json` |
## 1. Problem Statement
[Generated from: outcome + business constraint rationale]
**Who is affected:** [from UX constraints context]
**Current impact:** [from business constraints with baselines]
**Why now:** [from timeline/boundary constraints]
## 2. Business Objectives
[Generated from: business GOAL constraints + outcome]
- **Strategic alignment:** [from B-constraints rationale]
- **Success criteria:** [measurable targets from GOALs]
## 3. Success Metrics
| Metric | Target | Baseline | Constraint |
|--------|--------|----------|------------|
| [name] | [target] | [current] | [ID] |
[Generated from: GOAL type constraints with measurable criteria]
## 4. Target Users & Personas
[Generated from: user_experience constraints context + "As a" patterns]
### Persona 1: [User Type]
- **Needs:** [from UX constraint statements]
- **Pain Points:** [from UX constraint rationale]
- **Key Workflows:** [from UX boundaries]
## 5. Assumptions & Constraints
**Assumptions:**
[Generated from: technical constraints with "assumes", security compliance refs]
**Constraints:**
[Generated from: ALL boundary-type constraints across categories]
## 6. Requirements (MoSCoW)
### Must Have (Invariants)
[All constraints.*.type: invariant]
- **[statement]** ([ID]) — [rationale]
- _Traces to: [related IDs]_
### Should Have (Boundaries)
[All constraints.*.type: boundary]
- **[statement]** ([ID]) — [rationale]
### Could Have (Goals)
[All constraints.*.type: goal, excluding success metrics]
- **[statement]** ([ID]) — [rationale]
### Won't Have (This Release)
[Generated from: _customization.common_removals]
## 7. User Flows & Design
[Generated from: UX constraints describing workflows + required truths about user journeys]
## 8. Out of Scope
[Generated from: _customization.common_removals + explicit exclusions]
## 9. Risks & Mitigations
| Risk | Severity | Source | Mitigation |
|------|----------|--------|------------|
| [description] | High/Med/Low | [ID] | [resolution] |
[Generated from: resolved tensions + security constraints]
## 10. Dependencies
| Dependency | Type | Owner | Status |
|------------|------|-------|--------|
| [description] | Internal/External | [team] | Pending/Ready |
[Generated from: technical constraints with "depends on", "requires", "integrates with"]
## 11. Timeline & Milestones
| Milestone | Date | Dependencies |
|-----------|------|--------------|
| [name] | [date] | [items] |
[Generated from: boundary constraints with timeline + operational constraints]
## 12. Open Questions
| # | Question | Impact | Decision Needed By |
|---|----------|--------|-------------------|
| 1 | [question] | [constraint IDs] | [date] |
[Generated from: unresolved tensions + anchors.open_questions]
---
## Appendix A: Constraint Traceability Matrix
| PRD Section | Constraint IDs |
|-------------|---------------|
| Problem Statement | B1, B2 |
| Success Metrics | B2, B4 |
| Must Have | B1, T2, S1, ... |
| ... | ... |
## Appendix B: Manifold Reference
_Generated from `.manifold/<feature>.json` + `.manifold/<feature>.md`_
_Schema version: [version]_
_Phase: [phase]_
_Constraint coverage: [X]/[Y] constraints addressed_
Constraint-to-PRD Mapping Rules
| Constraint Source | PRD Section | Logic |
|---|
outcome | Problem Statement + Business Objectives | Direct inclusion |
constraints.*.type: goal with metric | Success Metrics | Extract measurable targets |
constraints.*.type: invariant | Must Have | All invariants are non-negotiable |
constraints.*.type: boundary | Should Have + Assumptions & Constraints | Boundaries define limits |
constraints.*.type: goal (non-metric) | Could Have | Optimization targets |
constraints.user_experience | Target Users & Personas + User Flows | UX context derives personas |
_customization.common_removals | Won't Have + Out of Scope | Explicitly excluded |
tensions.status: resolved | Risks & Mitigations | Documented decisions |
tensions.status: unresolved | Open Questions | Needs decision |
constraints.security.* | Assumptions & Constraints + Risks | Compliance requirements |
constraints.technical with deps | Dependencies | Extract dependency refs |
constraints with timeline | Timeline & Milestones | Date-bearing constraints |
PRD Generation Example
Input manifold (JSON+MD):
.manifold/checkout-redesign.json:
{
"constraints": {
"business": [
{ "id": "B1", "type": "invariant" },
{ "id": "B2", "type": "goal" }
],
"user_experience": [
{ "id": "U1", "type": "boundary" }
]
},
"tensions": [
{ "id": "TN1", "type": "trade_off", "between": ["B2", "T1"], "status": "resolved" }
]
}
.manifold/checkout-redesign.md:
## Outcome
Increase checkout conversion by 15%
### Business
#### B1: Protect Existing Checkout
Must not disrupt existing checkout.
> **Rationale:** Revenue protection during transition.
#### B2: Conversion Target
Increase conversion by 15%.
> **Rationale:** Mobile is 60% of traffic.
### User Experience
#### U1: Checkout Steps
Maximum 3 clicks to complete.
> **Rationale:** Each step adds abandonment risk.
## Tensions
### TN1: Conversion Goal vs Capacity
> **Resolution:** Phased rollout.
Generated PRD excerpt:
## 1. Problem Statement
Increase checkout conversion by 15% while maintaining existing checkout stability.
**Who is affected:** Mobile shoppers (60% of traffic)
**Why now:** Revenue protection during transition period
## 6. Requirements (MoSCoW)
### Must Have (Invariants)
- **Must not disrupt existing checkout** (B1) — Revenue protection during transition
- _Traces to: B1_
### Should Have (Boundaries)
- **Maximum 3 clicks to complete** (U1) — Each step adds abandonment risk
- _Traces to: U1_
## 9. Risks & Mitigations
| Risk | Severity | Source | Mitigation |
|------|----------|--------|------------|
| Conversion goal vs capacity | Medium | TN1 | Phased rollout |
PRD Artifact Tracking
After PRD generation, update .manifold/<feature>.json:
{
"generation": {
"artifacts": [
{
"path": "docs/<feature>/PRD.md",
"type": "prd",
"satisfies": ["B1", "B2", "T1", "U1", "S1", "O1"],
"status": "generated"
}
]
}
}