create-epics

# Create Epics

An epic is a named, bounded body of work that maps to one architectural module.
It defines **what** needs to be built and **who owns it architecturally**. It
does not prescribe implementation steps — that is the job of stories.

**Run this skill once per layer** as you approach that layer in development.
Do not create Feature layer epics until Core is nearly complete — the design
will have changed.

**Output:** `production/epics/[epic-slug]/EPIC.md` + `production/epics/index.md`

**Next step after each epic:** `/create-stories [epic-slug]`

**When to run:** After `/create-control-manifest` and `/architecture-review` pass.

---

## 1. Parse Arguments

Resolve the review mode (once, store for all gate spawns this run):
1. If `--review [full|lean|solo]` was passed → use that
2. Else read `production/review-mode.txt` → use that value
3. Else → default to `lean`

See `.claude/docs/director-gates.md` for the full check pattern.

**Modes:**
- `/create-epics all` — process all systems in layer order
- `/create-epics layer: foundation` — Foundation layer only
- `/create-epics layer: core` — Core layer only
- `/create-epics layer: feature` — Feature layer only
- `/create-epics layer: presentation` — Presentation layer only
- `/create-epics [system-name]` — one specific system
- No argument — ask: "Which layer or system would you like to create epics for?"

---

## 2. Load Inputs

### Step 2a — Summary scan (fast)

Grep all GDDs for their `## Summary` sections before reading anything fully:

```
Grep pattern="## Summary" glob="design/gdd/*.md" output_mode="content" -A 5
```

For `layer:` or `[system-name]` modes: filter to only in-scope GDDs based on
the Summary quick-reference. Skip full-reading anything out of scope.

### Step 2b — Full document load (in-scope systems only)

Using the Step 2a grep results, identify which systems are in scope. Read full documents **only for in-scope systems** — do not read GDDs or ADRs for out-of-scope systems or layers.

Read for in-scope systems:

- `design/gdd/systems-index.md` — authoritative system list, layers, priority
- In-scope GDDs only (Approved or Designed status, filtered by Step 2a results)
- `docs/architecture/architecture.md` — module ownership and API boundaries
- Accepted ADRs **whose domains cover in-scope systems only** — read the "GDD Requirements Addressed", "Decision", and "Engine Compatibility" sections; skip ADRs for unrelated domains
- `docs/architecture/control-manifest.md` — manifest version date from header
- `docs/architecture/tr-registry.yaml` — for tracing requirements to ADR coverage
- `docs/engine-reference/[engine]/VERSION.md` — engine name, version, risk levels

Report: "Loaded [N] GDDs, [M] ADRs, engine: [name + version]."

---

## 3. Processing Order

Process in dependency-safe layer order:
1. **Foundation** (no dependencies)
2. **Core** (depends on Foundation)
3. **Feature** (depends on Core)
4. **Presentation** (depends on Feature + Core)

Within each layer, use the order from `systems-index.md`.

---

## 4. Define Each Epic

For each system, map it to an architectural module from `architecture.md`.

Check ADR coverage against the TR registry:
- **Traced requirements**: TR-IDs that have an Accepted ADR covering them
- **Untraced requirements**: TR-IDs with no ADR — warn before proceeding

Present to user before writing anything:

```
## Epic: [System Name]

**Layer**: [Foundation / Core / Feature / Presentation]
**GDD**: design/gdd/[filename].md
**Architecture Module**: [module name from architecture.md]
**Governing ADRs**: [ADR-NNNN, ADR-MMMM]
**Engine Risk**: [LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH — highest risk among governing ADRs]
**GDD Requirements Covered by ADRs**: [N / total]
**Untraced Requirements**: [list TR-IDs with no ADR, or "None"]
```

If there are untraced requirements:
> "⚠️ [N] requirements in [system] have no ADR. The epic can be created, but
> stories for these requirements will be marked Blocked until ADRs exist.
> Run `/architecture-decision` first, or proceed with placeholders."

Use `AskUserQuestion`:
- Prompt: "Shall I create Epic: [name]?"
- Options:
  - `[A] Yes, create it`
  - `[B] Skip this epic`
  - `[C] Pause — I need to write ADRs first`

---

## 4b. Producer Epic Structure Gate

**Review mode check** — apply before spawning PR-EPIC:
- `solo` → skip. Note: "PR-EPIC skipped — Solo mode." Proceed to Step 5 (write epic files).
- `lean` → skip (not a PHASE-GATE). Note: "PR-EPIC skipped — Lean mode." Proceed to Step 5 (write epic files).
- `full` → spawn as normal.

After all epics for the current layer are defined (Step 4 completed for all in-scope systems), and before writing any files, spawn `producer` via Task using gate **PR-EPIC** (`.claude/docs/director-gates.md`).

Pass: the full epic structure summary (all epics, their scope summaries, governing ADR counts), the layer being processed, milestone timeline and team capacity.

Present the producer's assessment.

If UNREALISTIC: offer to revise epic boundaries (split overscoped or merge underscoped epics). Revise and re-run the gate before writing.

If CONCERNS, use `AskUserQuestion`:
- Prompt: "Producer raised concerns about the epic structure. How do you want to proceed?"
- Options:
  - `[A] Proceed as planned — I accept the producer's concerns`
  - `[B] Revise epic boundaries — split or merge as recommended`
  - `[C] Stop — I want to reconsider the scope`

If [A]: proceed to Step 5.
If [B]: revise epic definitions from Step 4 and re-run the producer gate.
If [C]: stop. Verdict: **BLOCKED** — user wants to reconsider epic scope.

Do not write epic files until the producer gate resolves.

---

## 5. Write Epic Files

After approval, ask: "May I write the epic file to `production/epics/[epic-slug]/EPIC.md`?"

After user confirms, write:

### `production/epics/[epic-slug]/EPIC.md`

```markdown
# Epic: [System Name]

> **Layer**: [Foundation / Core / Feature / Presentation]
> **GDD**: design/gdd/[filename].md
> **Architecture Module**: [module n