Feature Discovery

Feature Discovery and Planning

When to Use

• Planning a new game feature or capability
• Analyzing feature requirements and scope
• Breaking down complex features into implementable tasks
• Conducting feasibility studies for new mechanics
• Designing game systems (race mechanics, betting, training, etc.)

Process

Phase 1: Discovery

1. Gather Context: Ask clarifying questions about feature goals and game design intent
2. Identify Requirements: Document what the feature must do (functional requirements)
3. Explore Constraints: Understand technical, gameplay, and performance constraints
4. Map Use Cases: Identify player interactions and game scenarios
5. Review Codebase: Examine existing patterns and systems that may be affected

Phase 2: Technical Analysis

1. Evaluate Feasibility: Assess technical viability within the current architecture
2. Identify Dependencies: Map relationships to existing systems (Race, Horse, Betting, etc.)
3. Review Data Model: Consider database schema changes needed
4. Assess Integration Points: Identify where new code connects to existing systems
5. Consider Performance: Evaluate impact on race simulation, UI responsiveness

Phase 3: Planning

1. Break Down Tasks: Decompose the feature into concrete, implementable tasks
2. Sequence Work: Identify logical implementation phases and dependencies
3. Estimate Complexity: Note particularly complex or risky areas
4. Create Task List: Use TodoWrite to create a structured task breakdown
5. Define Milestones: Identify testable checkpoints and deliverables

Phase 4: Documentation

1. Write Specification: Create clear feature requirements document
2. Document Assumptions: Record decisions and assumptions made during planning
3. Define Success Criteria: Establish how to validate the feature works correctly
4. Reference Templates: Use PLANNING_TEMPLATE.md and DISCOVERY_CHECKLIST.md

Output

Create a feature specification document in /docs/features/ that includes:

1. Feature Summary: One-paragraph overview
2. Requirements: Functional and non-functional requirements
3. Technical Approach: Architecture and integration points
4. Implementation Plan: Phased task breakdown
5. Success Criteria: How to validate correctness
6. Open Questions: Items needing further clarification

Use PLANNING_TEMPLATE.md as a starting point.

Diagram Guidelines

Use Mermaid for all diagrams:

• Architecture: graph TB or graph LR
• Sequences: sequenceDiagram
• State machines: stateDiagram-v2
• Data models: erDiagram

Benefits: Renders in GitHub, version control friendly, no external files needed.

Integration with Existing Systems

When planning features, consider integration with:

• Core Entities: Horse, Race, RaceRun, RaceRunHorse, Player
• Services: RaceService, simulation logic, game flow
• Data Layer: Entity Framework, repositories, ModelBuilderExtensions
• Game Balance: Stats, probabilities, progression systems

Tools Used

• Read, Grep, Glob to explore the codebase
• TodoWrite for structured planning
• AskUserQuestion to clarify ambiguous requirements

Next Steps

After completing discovery, use /plan-implementation to create a detailed implementation roadmap with TDD phases.

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