Get Shit Done (GSD)
Research Date: 2026-02-01 Source URL: https://github.com/glittercowboy/get-shit-done npm Package: https://www.npmjs.com/package/get-shit-done-cc Version at Research: v1.11.1 License: MIT
Overview
Get Shit Done (GSD) is a lightweight meta-prompting, context engineering, and spec-driven development system for Claude Code, OpenCode, and Gemini CLI. It solves "context rot" - the quality degradation that occurs as Claude fills its context window - by implementing multi-agent orchestration with fresh context per task.
Created by solo developer TACHES, GSD provides a structured workflow that transforms vibe coding into reliable, production-quality development. The system handles context engineering, XML prompt formatting, subagent orchestration, and state management behind a simple command interface.
Problem Addressed
| Problem | GSD Solution |
|---|---|
| Context rot degrades quality as context fills | Fresh 200k token context per execution plan |
| Vibecoding produces inconsistent, fragile code | Spec-driven development with verification loops |
| Enterprise tools add ceremony (sprints, Jira, retrospectives) | Minimal commands, no enterprise roleplay |
| No persistent state across sessions | File-based state management (STATE.md, ROADMAP.md) |
| Plans too large for reliable execution | Atomic task plans with XML structure |
| Unclear git history from AI-generated code | One surgical commit per completed task |
| Manual context loading per session | Auto-loaded project files (PROJECT.md, research/) |
| Quality varies with context window fullness | Parallel subagent execution preserves main context |
Key Statistics
| Metric | Value | Date Gathered |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Stars | 10,193 | 2026-02-01 |
| GitHub Forks | 989 | 2026-02-01 |
| Open Issues | 192 | 2026-02-01 |
| npm Package | get-shit-done-cc | - |
| npm Latest Version | 1.11.1 | 2026-02-01 |
| Contributors | 10+ | 2026-02-01 |
| Primary Language | JavaScript | - |
| Repository Created | 2025-12-14 | - |
| Last Updated | 2026-02-01 | - |
Key Features
Core Workflow Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
/gsd:new-project |
Full initialization: questions, research, requirements, roadmap |
/gsd:discuss-phase [N] |
Capture implementation decisions before planning |
/gsd:plan-phase [N] |
Research + plan + verify for a phase |
/gsd:execute-phase <N> |
Execute all plans in parallel waves, verify when complete |
/gsd:verify-work [N] |
Manual user acceptance testing |
/gsd:complete-milestone |
Archive milestone, tag release |
/gsd:new-milestone [name] |
Start next version cycle |
Multi-Agent Architecture
GSD implements 11 specialized agents:
| Agent | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| gsd-codebase-mapper | Analyze existing codebase architecture |
| gsd-project-researcher | Research domain before project planning |
| gsd-phase-researcher | Research specific phase implementation |
| gsd-research-synthesizer | Aggregate research findings |
| gsd-planner | Create atomic XML task plans |
| gsd-plan-checker | Verify plans achieve phase goals |
| gsd-executor | Implement tasks in fresh context |
| gsd-verifier | Confirm deliverables match goals |
| gsd-debugger | Systematic debugging with state persistence |
| gsd-integration-checker | Check cross-module integration |
| gsd-roadmapper | Generate phase roadmaps |
Context Engineering Files
| File | Purpose | Size Limits |
|---|---|---|
| PROJECT.md | Project vision, always loaded | Core context |
| research/ | Ecosystem knowledge (stack, features, architecture) | Reference |
| REQUIREMENTS.md | Scoped v1/v2 requirements with phase traceability | Planning |
| ROADMAP.md | Progress tracking, completed phases | State |
| STATE.md | Decisions, blockers, position across sessions | Memory |
| PLAN.md | Atomic task with XML structure and verification | Execution |
| SUMMARY.md | Execution results committed to history | Archive |
| CONTEXT.md | Phase-specific implementation preferences | Per-phase |
XML Task Format
Every plan uses structured XML optimized for Claude:
<task type="auto">
<name>Create login endpoint</name>
<files>src/app/api/auth/login/route.ts</files>
<action>
Use jose for JWT (not jsonwebtoken - CommonJS issues).
Validate credentials against users table.
Return httpOnly cookie on success.
</action>
<verify>curl -X POST localhost:3000/api/auth/login returns 200 + Set-Cookie</verify>
<done>Valid credentials return cookie, invalid return 401</done>
</task>
Model Profiles
Three configurable profiles for quality vs cost tradeoffs:
| Profile | Planning | Execution | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| quality | Opus | Opus | Sonnet |
| balanced (default) | Opus | Sonnet | Sonnet |
| budget | Sonnet | Sonnet | Haiku |
Multi-Runtime Support
| Runtime | Install Location |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | ~/.claude/ (global) or ./.claude/ (local) |
| OpenCode | ~/.config/opencode/ |
| Gemini CLI | ~/.gemini/ |
Technical Architecture
Orchestration Pattern
Every stage uses the same pattern: a thin orchestrator spawns specialized agents, collects results, and routes to the next step.
ORCHESTRATOR (Main Context ~30-40%)
|
+-- Spawns --> RESEARCHER agents (parallel, fresh context)
|
+-- Collects results
|
+-- Spawns --> PLANNER agent (fresh context)
|
+-- Validates --> CHECKER agent (verification loop)
|
+-- Spawns --> EXECUTOR agents (parallel waves, fresh 200k each)
|
+-- Spawns --> VERIFIER agent (goal confirmation)
The orchestrator never does heavy lifting. Work happens in fresh subagent contexts, keeping the main session fast and responsive.
Parallel Execution Waves
Plans are grouped into waves based on dependencies:
- Wave 1: Independent tasks run in parallel
- Wave 2: Tasks depending on Wave 1 outputs
- Wave N: Sequential chains resolved
Each executor gets a fresh 200k token context purely for implementation.
Atomic Git Commits
Each task produces its own commit immediately after completion:
abc123f docs(08-02): complete user registration plan
def456g feat(08-02): add email confirmation flow
hij789k feat(08-02): implement password hashing
lmn012o feat(08-02): create registration endpoint
Benefits: git bisect locates failures, tasks are independently revertable, clear history for future Claude sessions.
Git Branching Strategies
| Strategy | Behavior |
|---|---|
| none (default) | Commits to current branch |
| phase | Creates branch per phase, merges at completion |
| milestone | Creates branch for entire milestone |
Installation and Usage
Quick Start
# Interactive install
npx get-shit-done-cc
# Non-interactive options
npx get-shit-done-cc --claude --global # Claude Code, global
npx get-shit-done-cc --opencode --global # OpenCode, global
npx get-shit-done-cc --gemini --global # Gemini CLI, global
npx get-shit-done-cc --all --global # All runtimes
Verify Installation
/gsd:help
Update to Latest
npx get-shit-done-cc@latest
Recommended Usage
claude --dangerously-skip-permissions
Stopping to approve date and git commit 50 times defeats the purpose of automation.
Workflow Example
# New project
/gsd:new-project
# For each phase
/gsd:discuss-phase 1 # Capture implementation preferences
/gsd:plan-phase 1 # Research + create verified plans
/gsd:execute-phase 1 # Parallel execution with fresh contexts
/gsd:verify-work 1 # User acceptance testing
# Complete milestone
/gsd:complete-milestone
/gsd:new-milestone # Start next version
Brownfield Projects
/gsd:map-codebase # Analyze existing codebase first
/gsd:new-project # Then initialize with awareness
Relevance to Claude Code Development
Applicable Patterns
Fresh Context per Task: Spawning subagents with isolated 200k context prevents quality degradation from context pollution - directly applicable to skill execution patterns
File-Based State Management: Using markdown files (STATE.md, ROADMAP.md) for persistent state across sessions provides a reliable pattern for long-running workflows
XML Task Structures: Structured XML with explicit
<action>,<verify>,<done>fields improves Claude's task comprehension and completion accuracyOrchestrator-Worker Separation: Thin orchestrators that spawn specialized workers preserves main context while enabling complex workflows
Model Profile Configuration: Quality/balanced/budget profiles demonstrate practical cost/quality tradeoff management for multi-agent systems
Atomic Commits per Task: One commit per completed task creates traceable, revertable git history ideal for AI-generated code
Verification Loops: Plan-checker and verifier agents create feedback loops that catch errors before they compound
Integration Opportunities
| Feature | Integration Path |
|---|---|
| Agent definitions | Study agents/*.md for specialized agent prompt patterns |
| Command structure | commands/gsd/*.md demonstrates slash command organization |
| Context files | Adopt PROJECT.md, STATE.md patterns for skill workflows |
| XML task format | Standardize task specifications across claude_skills plugins |
| Model profiles | Implement configurable quality levels in agent orchestration |
Key Differentiators from Similar Tools
| Feature | GSD | Compound Engineering | Task Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Context engineering | Plan/Work/Review cycle | PRD parsing |
| Agent Count | 11 specialized | 27 agents | MCP tools |
| Parallel Execution | Yes, wave-based | Yes, 14 review agents | Sequential |
| Context Management | Fresh per task | Unknown | Selective tool loading |
| File State | STATE.md + ROADMAP.md | docs/solutions/ | Task JSON |
References
- GitHub Repository - https://github.com/glittercowboy/get-shit-done (accessed 2026-02-01)
- npm Package - https://www.npmjs.com/package/get-shit-done-cc (accessed 2026-02-01)
- README Documentation - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/glittercowboy/get-shit-done/main/README.md (accessed 2026-02-01)
- Agent Definitions - https://github.com/glittercowboy/get-shit-done/tree/main/agents (accessed 2026-02-01)
- Command Definitions - https://github.com/glittercowboy/get-shit-done/tree/main/commands/gsd (accessed 2026-02-01)
- Discord Community - https://discord.gg/5JJgD5svVS (referenced in README)
Freshness Tracking
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Verified | 2026-02-01 |
| Version at Verification | v1.11.1 |
| Stars at Verification | 10,193 |
| Forks at Verification | 989 |
| Next Review Recommended | 2026-05-01 |