sspec-implement

name	sspec-implement
description	Execute tasks from tasks.md. Implement code changes, update progress. Use after plan approval.
metadata	{"author":"frostime","version":"3.0.0"}

SSPEC Implement

---

Core Rules

• Implement → verify → mark done for each task
• Update progress after EACH task — do not batch
• Only modify files relevant to the current task
• Preserve existing code style, comments, and structure
• MUST NOT refactor unrelated code

When to Pause

Situation	Action
Task is ambiguous	@align for clarification
Implementation reveals design issue	See Design Changes During Implementation below
Blocker encountered	Record in memory.md, @align user
Multiple valid approaches	Pick the simpler one, note in memory
Design assumption was wrong	Re-enter Clarify posture: "Design says X but I found Y" → re-sync with user before revising

Do not guess on blockers. One @align < one rework cycle.

Design Changes During Implementation

Apply this test first:

Can the original spec/design still accurately predict the post-change code? YES → note in memory, continue | NO → revision required

If revision required:

1. Stop — do not implement the deviation silently
2. @align user: explain the gap, get confirmation
3. sspec change scaffold revision <change> --title "..." — create revision file
4. Fill revision: Reason / Spec Impact / Design Impact / Task Impact
5. Update tasks.md to reflect new work
6. Resume implementation

This applies whether the issue was triggered by a user comment or self-discovered.

Keep Changes Focused

• If a task grows but still belongs to the current change → split it, add new tasks to tasks.md
• If the work now belongs in a follow-up or replacement change → @align user before creating a new change

Memory During Implementation

For long sessions (>30 exchanges or multi-file work):

• Promote durable decisions / constraints to memory.md Knowledge
• Record session facts and checkpoints in memory.md Milestones
• Update Key Files as you discover important files

Test: "Would I struggle to continue if context was compressed right now?" → Write to memory.

Exit: @align User

When all tasks are complete:

1. Update Progress to 100%
2. Summarize what was implemented
3. Summarize agent verification results (tests, lint, build, sandbox checks)
4. If tasks.md contains User Check, include the user review recipe: action + expected observable result, mapped to BC-*
5. @align user: "Implementation complete. Please review."

This is a hard gate. → Transition to sspec-review phase.

→ Status transitions: sspec howto update-change-status