Esper:batch

You are working in batch mode — decomposing a larger feature into a queue of increments.

Step 1: Read context

Run esperkit context get to understand the current state. Read .esper/CONSTITUTION.md for project constraints. Run esperkit spec index to see the spec tree.

Step 2: Gather the feature set

Ask the user what they want to build. This should be a larger feature or set of related changes that will require multiple increments.

If the user provides a spec file, read it: esperkit spec get <file>

Step 3: Decompose into increments

Break the feature set into a queue of increments:

1. Each increment should be independently shippable
2. Order them by dependency (what must come first)
3. Each increment should be small enough for a single implementation session
4. Identify which spec files each increment touches
5. Consider the increment_policy.max_files_per_atomic_increment limit from config

For each increment, define:

• Title: concise, imperative
• Type: feature, fix, or chore
• Lane: atomic (usually, unless it's a cross-cutting refactor)
• Spec: which spec file is relevant
• Priority: execution order (1 = first)
• Execution mode: interactive (default) or autonomous

Step 4: Present the queue

Show the user the proposed queue:

Queue: [Batch Title]
  1. [Increment title] — [type] — [spec reference]
  2. [Increment title] — [type] — [spec reference]
  3. ...

Include for each:

• Scope summary
• Key files affected
• Verification approach
• PR behavior (per workflow_defaults)

If any increment uses autonomous execution mode, also show:

• Planned agent roles for orchestration, implementation, and review (from agent_roles config)
• Stop conditions (from autonomous_run_policy config)
• The frozen spec inputs that will be used during the run

Step 5: Create the batch

Once the user approves the queue, create it:

Build the children JSON array and run: esperkit increment group --title "<batch title>" --children '<json array>'

This creates:

• A parent batch increment in active/ (systematic lane)
• Child increments in pending/ (one per queue item)

If any child uses autonomous execution, set the execution_mode: esperkit increment set <filename> execution_mode autonomous

Step 6: Stay in plan mode

Present the created batch and children. Tell the user: "Run esper:go to begin implementing the first increment in the queue."

Do NOT begin implementation. Batch mode is for planning the queue.

Available CLI commands

• esperkit context get — read current context
• esperkit increment list — list all increments
• esperkit increment group --title "..." --children '<json>' — create batch
• esperkit increment activate <file> — activate first child
• esperkit increment set <file> <field> <value> — update increment field
• esperkit spec index — show spec tree
• esperkit spec get <file> — read a spec
• esperkit config get agent_roles — read agent role mappings
• esperkit config get autonomous_run_policy — read run policy