applying

name	applying
description	ALWAYS invoke this skill before implementing any spec-tree work item. NEVER write code for a spec-tree node without this skill.
hooks	{"PostToolUse":[{"matcher":"Skill","hooks":[{"type":"command","command":"${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/enforce-gates.sh"}]}]}

Orchestrate the spec-tree TDD flow for a work item. Eight phases, strictly sequential. Three review gates that loop until APPROVED — no exceptions, no soft passes.

<quick_start>

1. Load methodology (Phase 1 — once per session)
2. Load work item context (Phase 2 — every node)
3. Architect → audit until APPROVED (Phases 3–4)
4. Test → audit until APPROVED (Phases 5–6)
5. Implement → audit until APPROVED (Phases 7–8)

</quick_start>

<language_detection>

Before starting Phase 3, determine the project language:

• tsconfig.json exists → TypeScript
• pyproject.toml or setup.py exists → Python
• Both exist → check the spec node for language indicators, or ask the user

Use the detected language for ALL Phases 3–8. Do not switch mid-flow.

</language_detection>

<skill_map>

Phases 1–2 are language-independent. Phases 3–8 use the detected language.

Phase	Purpose	TypeScript	Python
1	Load methodology	Skill("spec-tree:understanding")	same
2	Load context	Skill("spec-tree:contextualizing", args: "{node-path}")	same
3	Architect	Skill("architecting-typescript")	Skill("architecting-python")
4	Architecture audit	Skill("auditing-typescript-architecture")	Skill("auditing-python-architecture")
5	Write tests	Skill("testing-typescript")	Skill("testing-python")
6	Test audit	Skill("auditing-typescript-tests")	Skill("auditing-python-tests")
7	Implement	Skill("coding-typescript")	Skill("coding-python")
8	Code audit	Skill("auditing-typescript")	Skill("auditing-python")

You MUST invoke the exact Skill tool call shown. Do not substitute, skip, or reorder.

</skill_map>

Invoke /understanding.

This loads the spec-tree methodology — node types, assertion formats, durable map rules. Skip if SPEC_TREE_FOUNDATION marker is already present in this session.

Do not proceed until complete.

Invoke /contextualizing with the node path.

Load the full context hierarchy for the specific node — parent chain, sibling nodes, applicable decisions, assertions.

Repeat for every new node. Do not reuse context from a previous node.

Do not proceed until complete.

Invoke the architecting skill for the detected language.

Produce the ADR(s) for the work item. The architecture must be complete before audit.

Invoke the architecture audit skill for the detected language.

REJECT → fix → re-invoke this phase. Loop until APPROVED.

Invoke the testing skill for the detected language.

Write tests for all assertions in the spec. Tests come before implementation — no exceptions.

Invoke the test audit skill for the detected language.

REJECT → fix → re-invoke this phase. Loop until APPROVED.

Invoke the coding skill for the detected language.

Write implementation code. All tests from Phase 5 must pass.

Invoke the code audit skill for the detected language.

REJECT → fix → re-invoke this phase. Loop until APPROVED.

<review_gates>

Phases 4, 6, and 8 are blocking review gates. Each audit skill emits APPROVED or REJECT.

• Before starting Phase 5: scan the conversation for the Phase 4 verdict. If APPROVED is not present, stop — invoke Phase 4.
• Before starting Phase 7: scan the conversation for the Phase 6 verdict. If APPROVED is not present, stop — invoke Phase 6.
• Before declaring success: scan the conversation for the Phase 8 verdict. If APPROVED is not present, stop — invoke Phase 8.

On REJECT: fix the findings, re-invoke the same audit skill, and scan again.

3 consecutive REJECTs on the same gate → STOP. Report which gate failed and why, and ask the user for guidance.

</review_gates>

When something breaks or behaves unexpectedly, your instinct will be to write ad hoc code — a quick script, a throwaway snippet, a print-and-pray debugging session. That instinct is the symptom, not the fix. The problem you hit exists because your tests were insufficient. The ad hoc code patches over one instance; a proper test catches every future instance too.

1. Do not write ad hoc code to "see what's happening."
2. Do write a test that reproduces the problem. The fact that you hit this issue proves your test coverage has a gap.
3. Then fix the implementation until the test passes.

This is not slower. The ad hoc script you were about to write takes the same effort as a test, but the script gets deleted and the test stays.

<success_criteria>

Scan the conversation for these markers before declaring done:

• SPEC_TREE_FOUNDATION marker present (Phase 1)
• SPEC_TREE_CONTEXT marker present (Phase 2)
• Phase 4 audit skill emitted APPROVED
• Phase 6 audit skill emitted APPROVED
• Phase 8 audit skill emitted APPROVED
• All tests pass

</success_criteria>