Kiss Phase Gate

User Input

$ARGUMENTS

Consider the user input before proceeding (if not empty). If the argument names a gate (e.g. requirements, architecture, ttr, orr, go-live), pre-select that gate type.

Audience and tone (interactive mode)

When KISS_AGENT_MODE=interactive (the default), assume the user has limited technical background and limited domain knowledge. Run this skill as a guided questionnaire:

• One question at a time. No walls of questions.
• Yes / no first. Phrase so yes, no, not sure, or skip is a valid answer.
• Translate jargon, don't strip it. Explain CDR, TRR, ORR, entry/exit criteria on first use.
• Choices, not blank fields. Offer lettered options (A/B/C/D). Always include "Not sure — sensible default".
• Always recommend. State which option you would pick and why.
• Show, don't ask. Pre-fill from upstream artefacts; ask for yes / no confirmation.
• not sure / skip triggers a sensible default, marked "(default applied)" and a GATEDEBT entry.

When KISS_AGENT_MODE=auto, skip the questionnaire and log decisions.

Gate types

Inputs

• .kiss/context.yml
• {context.paths.docs}/analysis/srs.md — requirements baseline
• {context.paths.docs}/analysis/srs.extract — SRS_REVISION
• {context.paths.docs}/analysis/traceability-matrix.extract — COVERAGE_PCT, UNCOVERED_REQS (for requirements and ttr gates)
• {context.paths.docs}/project/project-plan.md — WBS, milestones, risk register reference
• {context.paths.docs}/project/risk-register.md — open high risks
• {context.paths.docs}/testing/<feature>/strategy.md (ttr gate)
• {context.paths.docs}/testing/<feature>/test-execution.md (orr / go-live)
• {context.paths.docs}/operations/deployment-strategy.md (orr / go-live)

Outputs

• {context.paths.docs}/project/gates/GATE-<type>-<YYYY-MM-DD>.md — the gate record (primary artefact)
• {context.paths.docs}/project/gates/GATE-<type>-<YYYY-MM-DD>.extract — companion KEY=VALUE ledger (GATE_TYPE, GATE_OUTCOME, OPEN_BLOCKERS, GATE_DATE)
• {context.paths.docs}/project/gates/gate-debts.md — items that must be resolved before gate can be passed (GATEDEBT-NN: …)

Context Update

Does not mutate .kiss/context.yml.

Handoffs

• kiss-baseline should be run immediately after a Requirements (SRR) or Architecture (CDR) gate passes, to freeze the baseline.
• kiss-status-report reads gate records to report milestone achievement.
• kiss-risk-register is read to populate the open-risk section.

AI authoring scope

Does:

• Populate entry/exit criteria for the selected gate type from industry-standard checklists (IEEE 15288, ISO/IEC 12207, PMBOK 7th edition, BABOK v3).
• Check each criterion against available upstream artefacts and mark it as Pass / Fail / Unknown / N/A.
• Produce a gate record the PM and stakeholders sign.
• Flag any blocker as a GATEDEBT entry.

Does not:

• Pass or fail the gate on the user's behalf.
• Override a "Fail" criterion without explicit user instruction.
• Modify upstream artefacts.

Outline

1. Determine gate type — from user input or prompt a choice: A) Requirements review, B) Architecture/CDR, C) Test readiness (TRR), D) Operational readiness (ORR), E) Go-Live.

2. Load upstream artefacts relevant to the selected gate type (see Inputs). Note which are present and which are missing.

3. Interactive questionnaire (interactive mode only): a. Confirm gate type and date. b. List any deliverables the AI could not locate — ask whether they exist elsewhere or should be marked "Not delivered". c. For each open high-risk item, ask whether it is accepted, mitigated, or a blocker.

4. Evaluate criteria — for each criterion in the gate checklist template, determine status by inspecting the relevant artefact:

   • Pass — criterion is fully met by available evidence.
   • Fail — criterion is not met; raise GATEDEBT.
   • Unknown — artefact not found; raise GATEDEBT.
   • N/A — criterion does not apply to this project.

5. Draft gate record — fill templates/gate-template.md with:

   • Cover: gate type, date, project, phase transition statement.
   • Deliverables checklist with status.
   • Entry/exit criteria table with Pass / Fail / N/A.
   • Open risks with severity and owner.
   • Blockers list (GATEDEBT entries that prevent proceeding).
   • Conditional approvals / waivers section.
   • Sign-off table (PM, Tech Lead, QA Lead, Customer/Sponsor).

6. Write outputs — write gate record, .extract, and append to gate-debts.md.

7. Recommendation — state in one line whether the gate evidence supports a Pass, Conditional Pass, or Fail outcome, and list the top 3 actions needed.

Usage

<SKILL_DIR> = the integration's skills root.

GATE_TYPE="requirements" \
GATE_DATE="2026-05-01" \
  bash <SKILL_DIR>/kiss-phase-gate/scripts/bash/run-gate.sh --auto

Answer keys