# Breakdown

> Break down epics and features into concrete backlog tasks with dependencies. Use when planning work, decomposing large features, or organizing sprints. Trigger with "break down", "decompose", "plan feature", "create subtasks".

- Skill: `ggprompts-my-plugins/breakdown` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ggprompts-my-plugins/breakdown`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ggprompts-my-plugins/breakdown/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: GGPrompts (https://skillmd.com/u/ggprompts-my-plugins)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ggprompts-my-plugins/breakdown

---


# Breakdown - Epic Decomposition

Patterns for breaking down large features into concrete, parallelizable tasks.

## Decomposition Patterns

### New Feature Pattern

```
1. Infrastructure
   └── Types, contexts, schemas, state management

2. Core Implementation
   └── Main components, business logic

3. Integration
   └── Connect pieces, wire up routes

4. Polish
   └── Edge cases, error handling, UX improvements

5. Validation
   └── Tests, documentation updates
```

**Example: Dark Mode**
1. Infrastructure: Theme context, CSS variables
2. Core: Theme toggle component, styled components
3. Integration: Apply to all pages
4. Polish: System preference detection, smooth transitions
5. Validation: Visual regression tests

### Refactor Pattern

```
1. Create New
   └── Build new pattern alongside old

2. Migrate
   └── Move components one at a time

3. Cleanup
   └── Remove old pattern, dead code

4. Verify
   └── Update tests, ensure no regressions
```

**Example: Move to React Query**
1. Create: Set up React Query provider
2. Migrate: Convert hooks one by one
3. Cleanup: Remove old fetch utilities
4. Verify: Update tests for new patterns

### Bug Fix Pattern

```
1. Investigate (if complex)
   └── Reproduce, identify root cause

2. Fix
   └── Implement the solution

3. Verify
   └── Add regression test
```

**Most bugs don't need decomposition** - only create subtasks for complex bugs requiring investigation.

## Task Sizing

| Size | Lines Changed | Files | Time | Example |
|------|---------------|-------|------|---------|
| XS | <20 | 1 | Minutes | Fix typo, add import |
| S | 20-100 | 1-2 | <1hr | Add helper function |
| M | 100-300 | 2-5 | Hours | Add component |
| L | 300+ | 5+ | Day | Feature module |
| XL | 1000+ | 10+ | Days | Architecture change |

**Target: S-M tasks.** XS is too granular, L-XL should be broken down.

## Dependency Patterns

### Sequential (A → B → C)
```
A: Create database schema
B: Implement API endpoint (blocked by A)
C: Add frontend form (blocked by B)
```

### Fan-out (A → B, C, D in parallel)
```
A: Create shared context
B: Use in Header (blocked by A)
C: Use in Footer (blocked by A)
D: Use in Sidebar (blocked by A)
```

### Fan-in (B, C, D → E)
```
B, C, D: Independent features
E: Integration testing (blocked by B, C, D)
```

### File Conflict Sequencing
```
B: Update styles.css for Header
C: Update styles.css for Footer (blocked by B)
```
Even though B and C are conceptually parallel, they touch the same file.

## Identifying File Overlaps

Common conflict points:
- Shared styles (`styles.css`, `theme.ts`)
- Route configuration (`routes.tsx`, `App.tsx`)
- State management (`store.ts`, `context.tsx`)
- Shared types (`types.ts`, `interfaces.ts`)
- Test utilities (`testUtils.ts`, `fixtures.ts`)

**When detected**: Add dependency between tasks to sequence them.

## Wave Planning

Group tasks into waves:

```markdown
## Wave 1 (Ready Now)
Tasks with no blockers - start immediately

## Wave 2 (After Wave 1)
Tasks blocked by Wave 1 - becomes ready when Wave 1 completes

## Wave 3 (After Wave 2)
Final integration, polish tasks
```

**Max 3-5 tasks per wave** for manageability.

## Quality Checks

Before finalizing breakdown:

1. **Is each task concrete?** Should be implementable without further planning
2. **Are dependencies correct?** No circular deps, no unnecessary sequencing
3. **Are file conflicts handled?** Same-file tasks sequenced
4. **Is it parallelizable?** Maximize concurrent work
5. **Is it right-sized?** No XS or XL tasks

## References

- [dependencies.md](references/dependencies.md) - Dependency patterns
- [epics.md](references/epics.md) - Epic management