cf-later-do

name	cf-later-do
description	Work through deferred side-tasks captured in docs/later/. Use when the user wants to process, resolve, or clear the backlog of out-of-scope problems that earlier skills (cf-plan, cf-fix, cf-sys-debug, cf-optimize, cf-ship, cf-implementer) recorded for later — e.g. "do the later tasks", "process docs/later", "work through the backlog", "what did we defer", "resolve deferred items", "cf-later-do". Lists each deferred item, lets the user pick one, routes the fix to $cf-fix or $cf-plan, removes the file only after the fix is verified-done, then suggests the next item. Slash-only — NOT auto-invoked. Requires items under docs/later/. Does NOT capture new items (that is capture-later.sh, the write side) — this is the read/resolve side.
created	2026-07-24T00:00:00.000Z
updated	2026-07-24T00:00:00.000Z

$cf-later-do

CLI Requirement: NONE — Works without coding-friend-cli. Reads docs/later/ files directly and dispatches existing skills; no CLI features are required. See CLI requirements for the full matrix.

Process the deferred side-tasks in docs/later/: pick one, fix it (via $cf-fix or $cf-plan), remove it once verified, then move to the next.

Background

plugin/lib/capture-later.sh is the write side — execution skills call it to record an out-of-scope problem as docs/later/YYYY-MM-DD-<name>.md with frontmatter (date, source, optional slug/problem, conversation_id). This skill is the read/resolve side that closes the loop.

Workflow

Step 0: Custom Guide

Custom guide — auto-loaded below (if the raw command shows instead of its output, run it yourself):

bash "${PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/load-custom-guide.sh" cf-later-do

If output is not empty, integrate returned sections: ## Before → before first step, ## Rules → apply throughout, ## After → after final step.

Step 1: Resolve the backlog directory

• LATER_DIR = $CF_DOCS_ROOT/later (prefer CF_DOCS_ROOT from the SessionStart bootstrap context; if absent, run pwd for $CWD and use $CWD/{docsDir}/later, where docsDir comes from .coding-friend/config.json, default docs).
• If LATER_DIR does not exist OR contains no *.md files → print > No deferred items in docs/later/. and stop cleanly.

Step 2: Scan and parse

Read every LATER_DIR/*.md. For each file, parse the YAML frontmatter (date, source, slug?, problem?, conversation_id), the # title line, and the body. Build an in-memory list of items.

Step 3: Present the picker

Show a numbered list, sorted by date oldest-first (longest-deferred first). One line per item:

[N] <title> — <date> · source: <source> · <problem or one-line body summary>

Ask the user to choose: a number N, or q to quit. (Use a plain numbered list + an open question — do NOT use a direct user question, since the item count is dynamic and may exceed 4.) If the user quits → stop cleanly.

Step 4: Classify and route the chosen item

Determine the item's nature from source + problem + body:

• bug-like (source ∈ {cf-fix, cf-sys-debug}, or the text describes an error / regression / failing test) → route to $cf-fix.
• feature/refactor-like (source ∈ {cf-plan, cf-optimize, cf-ship, cf-implementer}, or the text describes a new feature / refactor / optimization / added test) → route to $cf-plan.
• unclear → ask the user whether to use $cf-fix or $cf-plan.

The task description handed to the routed skill = the problem field (if present) + the full body of the item. Include one reference line for the human reader only:

> Reference: slug=<slug> · source=<source> · conversation_id=<id>

Do NOT claim to reopen or restore context from the .jsonl session behind conversation_id — surface it as a human-readable pointer only.

Step 5: Run the routed workflow

Load the chosen skill ($cf-fix or $cf-plan) with the Step 4 task description and run it to completion. Because a loaded skill continues in the same agent, control returns here afterward.

Step 6: Remove the file — ONLY on verified completion

• Concrete completion signal: the routed skill reached its own verified-DONE state — $cf-fix passing the cf-verification gate (tests/verify pass), or $cf-plan finishing all phases and verified. Any other outcome (failed, blocked, user aborted mid-way) → KEEP the file, do NOT remove, and print > Item kept in docs/later/ (not completed).
• Deletion guard (required): before removing, resolve the file path and verify it is inside $CF_DOCS_ROOT/later/. Reject any name containing /, \, or .. (mirrors the cf-plan-resume path-traversal guard). Only delete when the path passes this check.
• On successful removal → print > ✅ Resolved and removed: <title>.

Step 7: Suggest the next item and loop

• Re-scan LATER_DIR. If items remain → show the updated list (oldest-first) and suggest the next item to tackle (prefer one sharing the same slug/source as the item just resolved if related; otherwise the oldest). Ask whether to continue → if yes, go back to Step 3.
• If no items remain → print > 🎉 docs/later/ is empty — no deferred items left. and stop.

Rules

• Only ever delete files inside $CF_DOCS_ROOT/later/. Never delete when the routed skill has not reached verified-DONE.
• No context restoration from conversation_id — display it as a reference only.
• Slash-only — this skill is never auto-invoked.
• Read side only — never modify capture-later.sh or write new docs/later/ files.
• Respect .coding-friend/ignore patterns.

Completion Protocol

• DONE — At least one item resolved and removed; remaining backlog reported (or empty).
• DONE_NOTHING — Backlog empty at start, or user quit without picking.
• KEPT — Item picked but the fix did not reach verified-DONE; file retained.