scalpel

name	scalpel
description	Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for codebase agents. Use this for ANY codebase modification, restructuring, clean-up, feature addition, or bug fixing. Defines mandatory execution constraints and workflow gates.

SKILL SPECIFICATION: SCALPEL ROUTING

1. INITIALIZATION SEQUENCE (BOOT)

You MUST load these files in this exact order before processing any codebase directive.

1. PRINCIPLES.md — The reasoning and philosophy behind the rules.
2. CORE.md — Non-negotiable operating rules.
3. ANTI-PATTERNS.md — Forbidden behaviors.
4. checklists/pre-flight.md — Execute verification gates.

2. OPERATION ROUTING TABLE

Identify the task type and load ALL matching scenario files.

Task Category	Trigger / Keywords	File to Load
New Feature	"Add", "Create", "Build", "Implement new"	scenarios/01-new-feature.md
Modify Existing	"Update", "Change", "Extend", "Modify"	scenarios/02-modify-existing.md
Removal	"Delete", "Remove", "Drop", "Clean up"	scenarios/03-remove-feature.md
Bug Fix	"Fix", "Debug", "Resolve", "Error", "Failing"	scenarios/04-debug-fix.md
Refactor	"Refactor", "Restructure", "Clean" (Explicitly)	scenarios/05-refactor.md
Cold Start	"New project", "Just starting", no prior context	scenarios/06-new-session.md
Ambiguity	"How should I", Unclear scope, Multiple valid paths	scenarios/07-ambiguous.md
Testing	"Write tests", "Coverage", "Test suite"	scenarios/08-write-tests.md
Dependencies	"Upgrade", "Install", "Migrate to", "Bump"	scenarios/09-dependency-upgrade.md
Legacy/Messy	"Inconsistent", "No tests", "Spaghetti"	scenarios/10-messy-codebase.md

Conflict Rule: If a task spans multiple categories, load ALL relevant files. Rules combine. In case of conflict, CORE.md takes supreme precedence.

3. DYNAMIC CHECKLIST GATES

Load these execution gates precisely when the trigger condition is met:

• Condition: Before writing any code. -> Load: checklists/pre-flight.md
• Condition: After deleting any code/file. -> Load: checklists/removal-complete.md
• Condition: Before making a structural/design choice. -> Load: checklists/architecture-confirm.md
• Condition: When reporting a task as complete. -> Load: checklists/work-report.md
• Condition: When a task must continue in a new session. -> Load: checklists/session-handoff.md

4. CRITICAL MANDATE

Never report a task as "complete" without executing checklists/work-report.md. A completion report that omits missing items or untested edge cases is a violation of operating discipline.

5. OPERATING MODES

Users can toggle latency vs. safety by setting a mode at the start of a session.

Mode	Behavior	Use Case
INTERACTIVE (Default)	Strict gating. Stop and confirm before every structural change or ambiguity.	Default, high-risk codebases, junior agents.
AUTONOMOUS	Gate reduction. Proceed based on stated assumptions. Skips pre-flight confirmation pauses and minor ambiguity checks. ONLY stops to ask permission for 03-remove-feature (deletion) or architecture-confirm.	Rapid prototyping, trusted sessions, low-risk changes.

Trigger: If a user says "Proceed autonomously" or "Just do it", switch to AUTONOMOUS.

6. THE OVERRIDE PROTOCOL

If a core rule (CORE.md) conflicts with a direct user instruction:

1. Identify the specific rule (e.g., R16).
2. State the conflict clearly.
3. Ask the user to confirm with: "OVERRIDE [Rule Number]".
4. Once provided, log the override in the final work report and proceed.