execute-epic

name	execute-epic
description	Use when working on beads from a specific epic, or when asked to "do a bead from <epic-id>". Claims the next available bead from the epic, works it with jj rhythm, verifies, and closes it.
metadata	{"author":"delightful-ai"}

Execute Epic Bead

Claim and complete ONE bead from a specified epic, then stop.

Arguments

/execute-epic <epic-id> - The epic to pull the next bead from (e.g., bd-qz97)

Phase 1: Orient

Before claiming, understand the landscape:

bd prime                    # full workflow state
bd ready                    # what's available
jj log --limit 20           # recent work

Filter to the epic:

bd show <epic-id>           # understand the epic
bd list --parent=<epic-id>  # beads in this epic

Before writing new types, traits, errors, or tests, read the relevant doc in docs/philosophy/:

• type_design.md - typestate, parse-don't-validate
• error_design.md - error context, propagation
• trait_design.md - trait boundaries, coherence
• test_design.md - test structure, property-based testing

Before writing code, read the essay in docs/philosophy/scatter.md .

Phase 2: Decide

Pick the next bead from the epic. Justify:

• Why this one matters now
• What it unblocks
• Why higher priority than alternatives

Then proceed immediately to execution.

Phase 3: Execute

bd show <bead-id>           # understand it fully
bd claim <bead-id>          # own it

JJ Rhythm

jj is not git. No staging area - working copy IS the commit.

The loop (runs MANY times per bead):

jj new
# edit ONE thing (add a fn, write a test, fix a bug)
jj describe "<bead-id>: what you did"
# repeat

Heuristics:

• ~50 lines changed without describe? Too much.
• About to run cargo check/test? Describe first.
• Did two unrelated things? Should've been two commits. Use jj split.

Every commit message includes the bead ID. 3-15 commits per bead is normal. 1 commit = batched too much.

Handling Uncommitted Changes

If there are uncommitted changes when you start:

• They're probably from your previous work in this session
• jj describe them with what they actually are
• Or if genuinely unclear, ask the user what they are
• Do NOT create fake "wip: pre-existing" commits

Cargo Discipline

Run proactively and often - not just at verification:

cargo check
cargo clippy -- -D warnings
cargo test

Run tests after writing them. Don't wait until the end.

Before Closing

Verify:

1. Acceptance criteria met - re-read the bead, check each item

2. Philosophy compliance:

   • Audit for type_design, error_design, trait_design, test_design
   • Fix violations or document exceptions

3. Tests pass:

   • cargo check, cargo clippy -D warnings, cargo test
   • Tests cover error paths, not just happy path
   • Every bug fix MUST have a regression test

If verification uncovers issues, use the same jj rhythm. jj new -> fix -> jj describe -> repeat.

Then close:

bd close <bead-id>

File Beads for Tech Debt

When you encounter ANY of these, file a P2 bead immediately:

• Code violating type_design.md principles
• Maintainability issues (unclear ownership, missing abstractions)
• Missing or weak tests
• Hardcoded values that should be configurable
• Error handling that swallows context

bd create "Brief description" --priority=2 --type=task

Don't fix it now unless blocking. File it, keep going.

Output

After the bead is closed:

• The bead you chose and why
• What you completed (commits, tests added)
• Any beads you created for follow-on work
• What's next per bd ready

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