Requirements: Enforce Workflow Boundaries

Requirements: Enforce Workflow Boundaries

Metadata

• Feature: enforce-workflow-boundaries
• Status: APPROVED
• Created: 2026-02-05
• Author: /zerg:plan

1. Problem Statement

Currently, /z:plan and /z:brainstorm commands can potentially auto-progress to the next workflow step (design or plan respectively). The user explicitly requires that:

1. /z:plan MUST NEVER proceed directly to implementation or design - it must always stop and prompt the user
2. /z:brainstorm MUST NEVER proceed directly to /z:plan - it must always stop and prompt the user

This is a workflow discipline requirement to ensure the user maintains full control over workflow progression.

2. Current State Analysis

/z:plan (plan.md, plan.core.md)

• Phase 5.5 uses AskUserQuestion with 3 options after approval
• Options include "Run /z:design now" - this is OUTPUT TEXT only, not auto-execution
• Gap: No explicit HARD STOP language; Claude might interpret instructions loosely

/z:brainstorm (brainstorm.md, brainstorm.core.md)

• Phase 4 (Handoff) only SUGGESTS next step: /zerg:plan {top-feature}
• No AskUserQuestion mechanism for user to choose next step
• Gap: Missing explicit handoff prompt; missing HARD STOP language

3. Functional Requirements

FR-1: Add Workflow Boundary Enforcement to /z:plan

Add explicit HARD STOP rule at the top of the command file:

## ⛔ WORKFLOW BOUNDARY (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

This command MUST NEVER:
- Automatically run `/z:design` or any design phase
- Automatically proceed to implementation
- Call the Skill tool to invoke another command
- Write code or make code changes

After Phase 5.5 completes, the command STOPS. The user must manually run `/z:design`.

FR-2: Add Workflow Boundary Enforcement to /z:brainstorm

Add explicit HARD STOP rule at the top of the command file:

## ⛔ WORKFLOW BOUNDARY (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

This command MUST NEVER:
- Automatically run `/z:plan` or any planning phase
- Automatically proceed to design or implementation
- Call the Skill tool to invoke another command
- Write code or make code changes

After Phase 4 completes, the command STOPS. The user must manually run `/z:plan`.

FR-3: Add AskUserQuestion Handoff to /z:brainstorm

Update Phase 4 (Handoff) to use AskUserQuestion like /z:plan does:

### Phase 4: Handoff

Present ranked recommendations:
1. Show prioritized feature list with effort estimates
2. Save session summary to `.gsd/specs/{session-id}/brainstorm.md`

**Then use AskUserQuestion to prompt the user for next steps:**

Call AskUserQuestion:
  - question: "Brainstorm complete! How would you like to proceed?"
  - header: "Next step"
  - options:
    - label: "Clear context, then /z:plan (Recommended)"
      description: "Run /compact to free token budget, then start /z:plan {top-feature} in fresh context"
    - label: "Stop here"
      description: "I'll run /z:plan later in a new session"

Based on user response:
- **"Clear context, then /z:plan"**: Output: "Run `/compact` to clear context, then run `/z:plan {top-feature}` to begin requirements."
- **"Stop here"**: Command completes normally with no further output.

**⛔ DO NOT auto-run /z:plan. The user must manually invoke it.**

FR-4: Strengthen /z:plan Phase 5.5 Language

Update Phase 5.5 to emphasize the HARD STOP:

### Phase 5.5: Post-Approval Handoff

After the user replies "APPROVED":

1. First, call TaskUpdate to mark the plan task `completed`
2. Update requirements.md with `Status: APPROVED`
3. Then use AskUserQuestion to prompt the user for next steps:

Call AskUserQuestion:
  - question: "Requirements approved! How would you like to proceed?"
  - header: "Next step"
  - options:
    - label: "Clear context, then /z:design (Recommended)"
      description: "Run /compact to free token budget, then start /z:design in a fresh context"
    - label: "Stop here"
      description: "I'll run /z:design later in a new session"

Based on user response:
- **"Clear context, then /z:design"**: Output: "Run `/compact` to clear context, then run `/z:design` to begin architecture."
- **"Stop here"**: Command completes normally with no further output.

**⛔ DO NOT auto-run /z:design. DO NOT write code. The user must manually invoke the next command.**

NOTE: Remove the "Run /z:design now" option - it could be misinterpreted as permission to auto-run.

4. Files to Modify

5. Acceptance Criteria

• /z:plan has explicit WORKFLOW BOUNDARY section at top
• /z:plan Phase 5.5 has only 2 options (removes "Run now" option)
• /z:plan has ⛔ warning after Phase 5.5
• /z:brainstorm has explicit WORKFLOW BOUNDARY section at top
• /z:brainstorm Phase 4 uses AskUserQuestion with 2 options
• /z:brainstorm has ⛔ warning after Phase 4
• Neither command can auto-invoke another command
• User must manually run the next workflow step

6. Non-Functional Requirements

• No code changes required (command files only)
• No test changes required (behavioral documentation)
• Changes should be applied to both .md and .core.md versions

7. Out of Scope

• Programmatic enforcement (Python code) - this is prompt-level enforcement
• Changes to /z:design or /z:rush commands
• CI/CD validation of workflow boundaries