# Decision Capture > Gate 7 - Document final decision, rationale, and commit to artifact Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/decision-capture-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/decision-capture-3` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/decision-capture-3/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/decision-capture-3 --- # Gate 7: Decision Capture **Purpose:** Human makes the final decision with the full picture documented. **Announce:** "Final Gate - time to decide." ## Entry Criteria - Synthesis Gate completed - All prior gates documented in artifact - Recommendation and alternatives clearly articulated ## Process ### Step 1: Present Summary Provide a concise decision summary consolidating all prior work: ```markdown ## DECISION SUMMARY **DECISION**: [One-line statement of the decision to be made] **ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED**: 1. [Option A] - [One-line summary] 2. [Option B] - [One-line summary] 3. [Option C] - [One-line summary] **RECOMMENDATION**: [Recommended option with brief rationale] **MUST-BE-TRUE**: - [Critical assumption 1] - [Critical assumption 2] **TOP RISKS**: 1. [Risk 1] - [Mitigation] 2. [Risk 2] - [Mitigation] **EXIT TRIGGERS**: - [Condition that would reverse this decision] - [Condition that would reverse this decision] ``` ### Step 2: Human Decides Ask the decision maker: > "What is your decision?" > > 1. **Accept recommendation** - Proceed with the recommended option > 2. **Choose different alternative** - Select a different option from those considered > 3. **Defer** - Postpone decision (specify timeline and trigger for revisiting) > 4. **Cancel** - Abandon decision process (document why) Wait for explicit human choice. Do not proceed without clear direction. ### Step 3: Document Rationale Capture the decision context through targeted questions: - **What was decided?** - The specific choice made - **Why this option?** - Core reasoning - **What clinched it?** - The deciding factor(s) - **Concerns remaining?** - Known risks being accepted - **When to revisit?** - Review trigger or timeline Record responses verbatim where possible - the decision maker's own words carry weight. ### Step 4: Finalize Artifact Complete the decision document with final sections: ```markdown ## DECISION **Status**: DECIDED **Date**: [YYYY-MM-DD] **Decision Maker**: [Name/Role] **Weight**: [Light/Medium/Complete] **Upgraded**: [Yes - from X at Gate Y / No] ### CHOSEN OPTION [Selected alternative with full description] ### RATIONALE [Why this option was selected - captured from Step 3] ### DECIDING FACTORS - [Factor 1 that tipped the balance] - [Factor 2 that tipped the balance] ### REMAINING CONCERNS - [Accepted risk or uncertainty 1] - [Accepted risk or uncertainty 2] ### NEXT REVIEW **Review Date**: [Date or "When triggered"] **Review Triggers**: - [Condition requiring earlier review] - [Exit trigger from earlier analysis] --- ## Document History | Date | Gate | Summary | |------|------|---------| | [Date] | Thesis | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Landscape | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Research | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Calibration | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Contrarian | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Synthesis | [Brief summary] | | [Date] | Decision | Decision finalized | ``` ### Step 5: Commit and Close Save the completed artifact: ``` docs/decisions/YYYY-MM-DD-/decision.md ``` Where `` is a kebab-case summary of the decision topic. Inform the decision maker: > "Decision captured and committed. Available commands: > - `/advocate` - Generate arguments supporting this decision > - `/detract` - Generate arguments challenging this decision > - `/review-decision` - Structured review when conditions change" ## Depth by Weight | Aspect | Light | Medium | Complete | |--------|-------|--------|----------| | Summary | One paragraph | Standard format | Full decision summary | | Rationale capture | Brief (1-2 sentences) | Key factors | Verbatim + deciding factors | | Documentation | Minimal artifact | Standard artifact | Complete artifact | | History | Gates listed | Gates + summaries | Full gate history | **Light:** Quick summary, brief rationale capture, minimal but complete artifact. **Medium:** Standard summary format, key factors captured, full artifact. **Complete:** Comprehensive summary, verbatim rationale capture, complete artifact with full gate history. ## Exit Criteria - [ ] Decision explicitly stated by human - [ ] Rationale documented (depth per weight) - [ ] Artifact complete with all required sections - [ ] Document saved to `docs/decisions/` directory - [ ] Decision maker informed of post-decision commands ## Post-Decision Support After a decision is captured, several follow-up capabilities remain available: ### /advocate Generate compelling arguments in favor of the decision. Useful for: - Building stakeholder buy-in - Preparing presentations - Strengthening commitment ### /detract Generate thoughtful challenges to the decision. Useful for: - Stress-testing before announcement - Preparing for objections - Maintaining intellectual honesty ### /review-decision Structured process for revisiting decisions when: - Exit triggers activate - Scheduled review date arrives - Circumstances materially change These commands work with the saved artifact to provide context-aware support. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/wme3) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.