Wtf.epic To Features

Epic to Features

Break an Epic down into its full set of Features. Create them one by one. Propose the complete feature list first. Then write each Feature with full user control.

Process

0. GitHub CLI setup

Run the setup check from ../references/gh-setup.md. Stop if gh is not installed or not authenticated. Note whether the extensions are available. This determines whether native sub-issue and dependency links are created downstream (via wtf.write-feature and wtf.write-task).

Skip this step if gh-setup was already confirmed this session (e.g. when chained from wtf.write-epic).

1. Identify the Epic

If an Epic number was passed in as context, use it. Otherwise call AskUserQuestion (per ../references/questioning-style.md):

• question: "Which Epic are you breaking into Features?"
• header: "Epic"
• options: from recent open Epics. List them per the List issues of a kind query (kind Epic) in ../references/issue-classification.md. Use --label epic in labels mode. Use --search 'type:"Epic"' in types mode.

Fetch the Epic with gh issue view <epic_number>. Extract Goal, Context, and Success Metrics.

List Features already created under this Epic via gh sub-issue list <epic_number> per the cookbook in ../references/gh-setup.md. Note which Features already exist. Do not re-propose or re-create them.

2. Propose the full Feature list

From the Epic's Goal, Context, and Success Metrics, derive a proposed list of Features that together deliver the Epic's outcome. Each Feature must follow the pattern: [Domain Actor] can [domain verb] [domain object].

If the Epic already has partially-created Features (found via gh sub-issue list), open the list with a note. Use this form: "Epic #N already has [X] Features created: [list with issue numbers]. Here are the remaining Features I'd propose:"

Present the remaining (or full, if none exist yet) list as plain numbered text, for example:

Here are the Features I'd propose for this Epic:

1. Merchant can view settlement status for a completed payment
2. Merchant can filter settlements by date range
3. Finance Manager can export settlement report as CSV
4. System notifies Merchant when settlement is delayed

Then call AskUserQuestion (per ../references/questioning-style.md):

• question: "Does this list look complete? You can add, remove, or rename any Feature before we start."
• header: "Feature list"
• options:
  • Looks good → proceed with this list
  • Make changes → add, remove, or rename a Feature

Wait for the user to confirm or adjust the list. Apply any changes.

3. Process Features one by one

For each Feature in the confirmed list, in order:

1. Announce: "Creating Feature [N/total]: [capability name]"
2. Follow the wtf.write-feature process, passing:
   • The Epic number (skip step 1 of write-feature — Epic is already fetched)
   • The capability name as the pre-filled answer to step 2 of write-feature
   • Abbreviated clarification: the capability name already follows the [Actor] can [verb] [object] pattern and the Epic context is already in hand. Skip write-feature step 3 (clarification questions) unless something is genuinely ambiguous from the Epic. Write-feature step 4 (user story derivation) and step 5 (DDD Language Guard) should still run. Resume from write-feature step 6 (vertical slice assessment).
3. Before you move to the next Feature, call AskUserQuestion (per ../references/questioning-style.md):
   • question: "Feature [N] created. Ready to continue to Feature [N+1]: [next capability name]?"
   • header: "Continue?"
   • options:
     • Yes, continue → proceed to the next Feature (default)
     • Pause here → exit. Print a summary of which Features were created and which remain. Suggest /clear before resuming
     • Skip this feature → mark as skipped in the list and move to the next
     • Add a new feature → call AskUserQuestion with question "What is the new feature capability?", header "New feature". Offer options from capability names inferred from the Epic's Goal or Success Metrics not yet in the list. Add the confirmed feature. Then continue

4. Completion

When all Features have been created (or skipped), print a summary:

"Epic # Feature breakdown complete. Created: [list with issue numbers] Skipped: [list if any]"

Then call AskUserQuestion (per ../references/questioning-style.md):

• question: "What's next?"
• header: "Next step"
• options:
  • Break down first Feature → follow wtf.feature-to-tasks with the first created Feature number (default)
  • Break down next Feature → follow wtf.feature-to-tasks with a different Feature number
  • Stop here → exit. No further action

Suggest /clear before continuing if the conversation has grown long.