Executing Sequential Phase
Overview
Sequential phases use natural git-spice stacking in the main worktree.
Each task creates a branch with gs branch create, which automatically stacks on the current HEAD. No manual stacking operations needed.
Critical distinction: Sequential tasks BUILD ON each other. They need integration, not isolation.
When to Use
Use this skill when execute command encounters a phase marked "Sequential" in plan.md:
- ✅ Tasks must run in order (dependencies)
- ✅ Execute in existing
{runid}-mainworktree - ✅ Trust natural stacking (no manual
gs upstack onto) - ✅ Stay on task branches (don't switch to base between tasks)
Sequential phases never use worktrees. They share one workspace where tasks build cumulatively.
Multi-Repo Support
Receiving Multi-Repo Context
The orchestrator passes:
WORKSPACE_MODE: "multi-repo" or "single-repo"WORKSPACE_ROOT: Absolute path to workspace- Per-task
TASK_REPOfrom plan
Sequential Execution Across Repos
In multi-repo mode, sequential tasks may span repos:
Phase 1 (sequential):
- Task 1.1: repo=shared-lib # Shared types first
- Task 1.2: repo=backend # Backend uses shared types
- Task 1.3: repo=frontend # Frontend uses shared types
For each task, switch to that task's repo context.
Per-Repo Worktrees
In multi-repo sequential phases:
- Each repo has its own main worktree:
{repo}/.worktrees/{runId}-main/ - Tasks execute in their repo's worktree
- Switching tasks = switching repos (if different)
Per-Repo Setup Commands
Read setup commands from each task's repo:
# Multi-repo: Read from task's repo CLAUDE.md
INSTALL_CMD=$(grep -A1 "**install**:" ${TASK_REPO}/CLAUDE.md | tail -1)
Per-Repo Constitution
Pass correct constitution to subagents:
# Multi-repo
CONSTITUTION="@${TASK_REPO}/docs/constitutions/current/"
Per-Repo Stacking
Sequential tasks across repos create per-repo stacks:
Execution order:
1. Task 1.1 (shared-lib) → creates branch in shared-lib
2. Task 1.2 (backend) → creates branch in backend
3. Task 1.3 (backend) → stacks on 1.2 in backend
4. Task 1.4 (frontend) → creates branch in frontend
Result:
- shared-lib stack: task-1-1
- backend stack: task-1-2 → task-1-3
- frontend stack: task-1-4
Each repo maintains its own linear stack. Cannot stack across repos.
Single-Repo Mode (Unchanged)
All existing behavior preserved:
- Single main worktree at
.worktrees/{runId}-main/ - Single CLAUDE.md for setup commands
- Single constitution at
@docs/constitutions/current/ - Single linear stack of branches
The Natural Stacking Principle
SEQUENTIAL PHASE = MAIN WORKTREE + NATURAL STACKING
What natural stacking means:
- Start on base branch (or previous task's branch)
- Create new branch with
gs branch create→ automatically stacks on current - Stay on that branch when done
- Next task creates from there → automatically stacks on previous
No manual commands needed. The workflow IS the stacking.
The Process
Announce: "I'm using executing-sequential-phase to execute {N} tasks sequentially in Phase {phase-id}."
Step 0: Verify Orchestrator Location
MANDATORY: Verify orchestrator is in correct location before any operations:
Single-repo mode:
REPO_ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
CURRENT=$(pwd)
if [ "$CURRENT" != "$REPO_ROOT" ]; then
echo "❌ Error: Orchestrator must run from main repo root"
echo "Current: $CURRENT"
echo "Expected: $REPO_ROOT"
echo ""
echo "Return to main repo: cd $REPO_ROOT"
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ Orchestrator location verified: Main repo root"
Multi-repo mode:
# Orchestrator runs from WORKSPACE_ROOT (parent of all repos)
CURRENT=$(pwd)
if [ "$CURRENT" != "$WORKSPACE_ROOT" ]; then
echo "❌ Error: Orchestrator must run from workspace root"
echo "Current: $CURRENT"
echo "Expected: $WORKSPACE_ROOT"
echo ""
echo "Return to workspace: cd $WORKSPACE_ROOT"
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ Orchestrator location verified: Workspace root ($WORKSPACE_MODE mode)"
Why critical:
- Orchestrator delegates work but never changes directory
- Single-repo: All operations use
git -C .worktrees/pathorbash -c "cd path && cmd" - Multi-repo: All operations use
git -C {repo}/.worktrees/pathorbash -c "cd {repo}/path && cmd" - This assertion catches upstream drift immediately
Step 1: Verify Setup and Base Branch
First, verify we're on the correct base branch for this phase:
Single-repo mode:
# Get current branch in main worktree
CURRENT_BRANCH=$(git -C .worktrees/{runid}-main branch --show-current)
EXPECTED_BASE="{expected-base-branch}" # From plan: previous phase's last task, or {runid}-main for Phase 1
if [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" != "$EXPECTED_BASE" ]; then
echo "⚠️ WARNING: Phase {phase-id} starting from unexpected branch"
echo " Current: $CURRENT_BRANCH"
echo " Expected: $EXPECTED_BASE"
echo ""
echo "This means the previous phase ended on the wrong branch."
echo "Possible causes:"
echo "- Code review or quality checks switched branches"
echo "- User manually checked out different branch"
echo "- Resume from interrupted execution"
echo ""
echo "To fix:"
echo "1. Verify previous phase completed: git log --oneline $EXPECTED_BASE"
echo "2. Switch to correct base: cd .worktrees/{runid}-main && git checkout $EXPECTED_BASE"
echo "3. Re-run /spectacular:execute"
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ Phase {phase-id} starting from correct base: $CURRENT_BRANCH"
Multi-repo mode:
In multi-repo, base branch verification is per-repo. For each repo that has tasks in this phase:
# For each repo with tasks in this phase
for REPO in ${REPOS_IN_PHASE[@]}; do
WORKTREE_PATH="${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${REPO}/.worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main"
# Check if this repo's worktree exists
if [ ! -d "$WORKTREE_PATH" ]; then
echo "Creating main worktree for repo: ${REPO}"
bash <<EOF
cd ${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${REPO}
git worktree add .worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main -b ${RUN_ID}-main
EOF
fi
# Verify branch (or create if first task in this repo)
CURRENT_BRANCH=$(git -C "$WORKTREE_PATH" branch --show-current)
echo "✅ Repo ${REPO} on branch: $CURRENT_BRANCH"
done
Then check and install dependencies (orchestrator never cd's):
Single-repo mode:
# Check if dependencies installed in main worktree
if [ ! -d .worktrees/{runid}-main/node_modules ]; then
echo "Installing dependencies in main worktree..."
bash <<'EOF'
cd .worktrees/{runid}-main
{install-command}
{postinstall-command}
EOF
fi
Multi-repo mode:
Setup commands are read from each task's repo CLAUDE.md. Install dependencies before executing each task:
# For each task, install dependencies in that repo's worktree
TASK_REPO="${task.repo}"
WORKTREE_PATH="${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${TASK_REPO}/.worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main"
# Read setup commands from task's repo CLAUDE.md
if [ "$WORKSPACE_MODE" = "multi-repo" ]; then
CLAUDE_MD_PATH="${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${TASK_REPO}/CLAUDE.md"
else
CLAUDE_MD_PATH="CLAUDE.md"
fi
INSTALL_CMD=$(grep -A1 "**install**:" ${CLAUDE_MD_PATH} | tail -1 | sed 's/`//g' | xargs)
POSTINSTALL_CMD=$(grep -A1 "**postinstall**:" ${CLAUDE_MD_PATH} | tail -1 | sed 's/`//g' | xargs)
# Check if dependencies installed in repo's worktree
if [ ! -d "${WORKTREE_PATH}/node_modules" ]; then
echo "Installing dependencies in ${TASK_REPO} worktree..."
bash <<EOF
cd ${WORKTREE_PATH}
${INSTALL_CMD}
${POSTINSTALL_CMD}
EOF
fi
Why heredoc: Orchestrator stays in main repo/workspace root. Heredoc creates subshell that exits after commands.
Why main worktree: Sequential tasks share main worktree per repo. All sequential phases share this worktree within each repo.
Red flag: "Create phase-specific worktree" - NO. Sequential = shared worktree (per repo).
Step 1.5: Extract Phase Context (Before Dispatching)
Before spawning subagents, extract phase boundaries from plan:
The orchestrator already parsed the plan in execute.md Step 1. Extract:
- Current phase number and name
- Tasks in THIS phase (what TO implement)
- Tasks in LATER phases (what NOT to implement)
Format for subagent context:
PHASE CONTEXT:
- Phase {current-phase-id}/{total-phases}: {phase-name}
- This phase includes: Task {task-ids-in-this-phase}
LATER PHASES (DO NOT IMPLEMENT):
- Phase {next-phase}: {phase-name} - {task-summary}
- Phase {next+1}: {phase-name} - {task-summary}
...
If implementing work beyond this phase's tasks, STOP and report scope violation.
Why critical: Spec describes WHAT to build (entire feature). Plan describes HOW/WHEN (phase breakdown). Subagents need both to avoid scope creep.
Step 2: Execute Tasks Sequentially
Multi-repo task execution:
For each task in sequential phase, handle repo switching:
PREVIOUS_REPO=""
for task in ${TASKS[@]}; do
# Get task's repo
TASK_REPO="${task.repo}"
# If repo changed from previous task, switch context
if [ "$TASK_REPO" != "$PREVIOUS_REPO" ]; then
echo "Switching to repo: ${TASK_REPO}"
# Ensure repo's main worktree exists
if [ ! -d "${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${TASK_REPO}/.worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main" ]; then
# Create main worktree for this repo
bash <<EOF
cd ${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${TASK_REPO}
git worktree add .worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main -b ${RUN_ID}-main
EOF
fi
fi
# Execute task in repo's worktree
WORKTREE_PATH="${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${TASK_REPO}/.worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main"
# Track for next iteration
PREVIOUS_REPO="$TASK_REPO"
# Dispatch subagent (see below)
done
Single-repo mode: Execute all tasks in the single main worktree (unchanged).
For each task in order, spawn ONE subagent with embedded instructions:
Single-repo mode:
Task(Implement Task {task-id}: {task-name})
ROLE: Implement Task {task-id} in main worktree (sequential phase)
WORKTREE: .worktrees/{run-id}-main
CURRENT BRANCH: {current-branch}
TASK: {task-name}
FILES: {files-list}
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA: {criteria}
PHASE BOUNDARIES:
Multi-repo mode:
Task(Implement Task {task-id}: {task-name})
ROLE: Implement Task {task-id} in repo worktree (sequential phase, multi-repo)
WORKSPACE_MODE: multi-repo
WORKSPACE_ROOT: {workspace-root}
TASK_REPO: {task-repo}
WORKTREE_PATH: {task-repo}/.worktrees/{run-id}-main
CONSTITUTION: @{task-repo}/docs/constitutions/current/
CURRENT BRANCH: {current-branch}
TASK: {task-name}
FILES: {files-list}
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA: {criteria}
PHASE BOUNDARIES:
===== PHASE BOUNDARIES - CRITICAL =====
Phase {current-phase-id}/{total-phases}: {phase-name}
This phase includes ONLY: Task {task-ids-in-this-phase}
DO NOT CREATE ANY FILES from later phases.
Later phases (DO NOT CREATE):
- Phase {next-phase}: {phase-name} - {task-summary}
❌ NO implementation files
❌ NO stub functions (even with TODOs)
❌ NO type definitions or interfaces
❌ NO test scaffolding or temporary code
If tempted to create ANY file from later phases, STOP.
"Not fully implemented" = violation.
"Just types/stubs/tests" = violation.
"Temporary/for testing" = violation.
==========================================
CONTEXT REFERENCES (single-repo):
- Spec: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
- Constitution: docs/constitutions/current/
- Plan: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/plan.md
- Worktree: .worktrees/{run-id}-main
CONTEXT REFERENCES (multi-repo):
- Spec: {workspace-root}/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
- Constitution: {task-repo}/docs/constitutions/current/
- Plan: {workspace-root}/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/plan.md
- Worktree: {task-repo}/.worktrees/{run-id}-main
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Navigate to correct worktree:
Single-repo: cd .worktrees/{run-id}-main
Multi-repo: cd {workspace-root}/{task-repo}/.worktrees/{run-id}-main
2. Read constitution (if exists):
Single-repo: docs/constitutions/current/
Multi-repo: {task-repo}/docs/constitutions/current/
3. Read feature specification: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
This provides:
- WHAT to build (requirements, user flows)
- WHY decisions were made (architecture rationale)
- HOW features integrate (system boundaries)
The spec is your source of truth for architectural decisions.
Constitution tells you HOW to code. Spec tells you WHAT to build.
4. VERIFY PHASE SCOPE before implementing:
- Read the PHASE BOUNDARIES section above
- Confirm this task belongs to Phase {current-phase-id}
- If tempted to implement later phase work, STOP
- The plan exists for a reason - respect phase boundaries
5. Implement task following spec + constitution + phase boundaries
6. Run quality checks with exit code validation:
**CRITICAL**: Use heredoc to prevent bash parsing errors:
bash <<'EOF'
npm test
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "❌ Tests failed"
exit 1
fi
npm run lint
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "❌ Lint failed"
exit 1
fi
npm run build
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "❌ Build failed"
exit 1
fi
EOF
**Why heredoc**: Prevents parsing errors when commands are wrapped by orchestrator.
7. Create stacked branch using verification skill:
Skill: phase-task-verification
Parameters:
- RUN_ID: {run-id}
- TASK_ID: {phase}-{task}
- TASK_NAME: {short-name}
- COMMIT_MESSAGE: "[Task {phase}.{task}] {task-name}"
- MODE: sequential
The verification skill will:
a) Stage changes with git add .
b) Create branch with gs branch create
c) Verify HEAD points to new branch
d) Stay on branch (next task builds on it)
8. Report completion
CRITICAL (single-repo):
- Work in .worktrees/{run-id}-main, NOT main repo
- Stay on your branch when done (next task builds on it)
- Do NOT create worktrees
- Do NOT use `gs upstack onto`
- Do NOT implement work from later phases (check PHASE BOUNDARIES above)
CRITICAL (multi-repo):
- Work in {task-repo}/.worktrees/{run-id}-main, NOT repo root
- Stay on your branch when done (next task in same repo builds on it)
- Do NOT create additional worktrees
- Do NOT use `gs upstack onto`
- Do NOT implement work from later phases (check PHASE BOUNDARIES above)
- Read constitution from THIS repo: {task-repo}/docs/constitutions/current/
- Each repo has its own stack - cross-repo stacking not possible
Sequential dispatch: Wait for each task to complete before starting next.
Red flags:
- "Dispatch all tasks in parallel" - NO. Sequential = one at a time.
- "Create task-specific worktrees" - NO. Sequential = shared worktree.
- "Spec mentions feature X, I'll implement it now" - NO. Check phase boundaries first.
- "I'll run git add myself" - NO. Let subagent use phase-task-verification skill.
Step 3: Verify Natural Stack Formation
After all tasks complete (verify from orchestrator location):
Single-repo mode:
# Display and verify stack using bash subshell (orchestrator stays in main repo)
bash <<'EOF'
cd .worktrees/{runid}-main
echo "📋 Stack after sequential phase:"
gs log short
echo ""
# Verify stack integrity (each task has unique commit)
echo "🔍 Verifying stack integrity..."
TASK_BRANCHES=( {array-of-branch-names} )
STACK_VALID=1
declare -A SEEN_COMMITS
for BRANCH in "${TASK_BRANCHES[@]}"; do
if ! git rev-parse --verify "$BRANCH" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
echo "❌ ERROR: Branch '$BRANCH' not found"
STACK_VALID=0
break
fi
BRANCH_SHA=$(git rev-parse "$BRANCH")
# Check if this commit SHA was already seen
if [ -n "${SEEN_COMMITS[$BRANCH_SHA]}" ]; then
echo "❌ ERROR: Stack integrity violation"
echo " Branch '$BRANCH' points to commit $BRANCH_SHA"
echo " But '${SEEN_COMMITS[$BRANCH_SHA]}' already points to that commit"
echo ""
echo "This means one task created no new commits."
echo "Possible causes:"
echo "- Task implementation had no changes"
echo "- Quality checks blocked commit"
echo "- gs branch create failed silently"
STACK_VALID=0
break
fi
SEEN_COMMITS[$BRANCH_SHA]="$BRANCH"
echo " ✓ $BRANCH @ $BRANCH_SHA"
done
if [ $STACK_VALID -eq 0 ]; then
echo ""
echo "❌ Stack verification FAILED"
echo ""
echo "To investigate:"
echo "1. Check task branch commits: git log --oneline \$BRANCH"
echo "2. Review subagent output for failed task"
echo "3. Check for quality check failures (test/lint/build)"
echo "4. Fix and re-run /spectacular:execute"
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ Stack integrity verified - all tasks have unique commits"
EOF
Multi-repo mode:
Verify stacks in each repo that had tasks in this phase:
# Group tasks by repo
declare -A REPO_TASKS
for task in ${TASKS[@]}; do
REPO_TASKS[${task.repo}]+="${task.branch} "
done
# Verify each repo's stack
ALL_VALID=1
for REPO in "${!REPO_TASKS[@]}"; do
echo "📋 Stack for repo: ${REPO}"
WORKTREE_PATH="${WORKSPACE_ROOT}/${REPO}/.worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main"
bash <<EOF
cd ${WORKTREE_PATH}
echo "Stack in ${REPO}:"
gs log short
echo ""
# Verify stack integrity for this repo
echo "🔍 Verifying ${REPO} stack integrity..."
TASK_BRANCHES=( ${REPO_TASKS[$REPO]} )
STACK_VALID=1
declare -A SEEN_COMMITS
for BRANCH in "\${TASK_BRANCHES[@]}"; do
if ! git rev-parse --verify "\$BRANCH" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
echo "❌ ERROR: Branch '\$BRANCH' not found in ${REPO}"
STACK_VALID=0
break
fi
BRANCH_SHA=\$(git rev-parse "\$BRANCH")
if [ -n "\${SEEN_COMMITS[\$BRANCH_SHA]}" ]; then
echo "❌ ERROR: Stack integrity violation in ${REPO}"
echo " Branch '\$BRANCH' points to commit \$BRANCH_SHA"
echo " But '\${SEEN_COMMITS[\$BRANCH_SHA]}' already points to that commit"
STACK_VALID=0
break
fi
SEEN_COMMITS[\$BRANCH_SHA]="\$BRANCH"
echo " ✓ \$BRANCH @ \$BRANCH_SHA"
done
if [ \$STACK_VALID -eq 0 ]; then
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ ${REPO} stack integrity verified"
EOF
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
ALL_VALID=0
fi
done
if [ $ALL_VALID -eq 0 ]; then
echo ""
echo "❌ Multi-repo stack verification FAILED"
echo ""
echo "To investigate:"
echo "1. Check failing repo's task branch commits"
echo "2. Review subagent output for failed task"
echo "3. Check for quality check failures (test/lint/build)"
echo "4. Fix and re-run /spectacular:execute"
exit 1
fi
echo "✅ All repo stacks verified"
Per-repo stacking result:
Execution order:
1. Task 1.1 (shared-lib) → creates branch in shared-lib
2. Task 1.2 (backend) → creates branch in backend
3. Task 1.3 (backend) → stacks on 1.2 in backend
4. Task 1.4 (frontend) → creates branch in frontend
Result:
- shared-lib stack: task-1-1
- backend stack: task-1-2 → task-1-3
- frontend stack: task-1-4
Each gs branch create automatically stacked on the previous task's branch within that repo.
Verification ensures: Each task created a unique commit (no empty branches or duplicates).
Red flag: "Run gs upstack onto to ensure stacking" - NO. Already stacked naturally.
Red flag: "Stack across repos" - NO. Each repo has independent stack.
Step 4: Code Review (Binary Quality Gate)
Check review frequency setting (from execute.md Step 1.7):
REVIEW_FREQUENCY=${REVIEW_FREQUENCY:-per-phase}
If REVIEW_FREQUENCY is "end-only" or "skip":
Skipping per-phase code review (frequency: {REVIEW_FREQUENCY})
Phase {N} complete - proceeding to next phase
Mark phase complete and continue to next phase.
If REVIEW_FREQUENCY is "optimize":
Analyze the completed phase to decide if code review is needed:
High-risk indicators (REVIEW REQUIRED):
- Schema or migration changes
- Authentication/authorization logic
- External API integrations or webhooks
- Foundation phases (Phase 1-2 establishing patterns)
- 3+ parallel tasks (coordination complexity)
- New architectural patterns introduced
- Security-sensitive code (payment, PII, access control)
- Complex business logic with multiple edge cases
- Changes affecting multiple layers (database → API → UI)
Low-risk indicators (SKIP REVIEW):
- Pure UI component additions (no state/logic)
- Documentation or comment updates
- Test additions without implementation changes
- Refactoring with existing test coverage
- Isolated utility functions
- Configuration file updates (non-security)
Analyze this phase:
- Phase number: {N}
- Tasks completed: {task-list}
- Files modified: {file-list}
- Types of changes: {describe changes}
Decision: If ANY high-risk indicator present → Proceed to code review below If ONLY low-risk indicators → Skip review:
✓ Phase {N} assessed as low-risk - skipping review (optimize mode)
Reasoning: {brief explanation of why low-risk}
Phase {N} complete - proceeding to next phase
If REVIEW_FREQUENCY is "per-phase" OR optimize mode decided to review:
Use requesting-code-review skill, then parse results STRICTLY.
AUTONOMOUS EXECUTION: Code review rejections trigger automatic fix loops, NOT user prompts. Never ask user what to do.
-
Dispatch code review:
Single-repo mode:
Skill: requesting-code-review Context provided to reviewer: - WORKTREE: .worktrees/{runid}-main - PHASE: {phase-number} - TASKS: {task-list} - BASE_BRANCH: {base-branch-name} - SPEC: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md - PLAN: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/plan.md (for phase boundary validation)Multi-repo mode:
Review each repo that had tasks in this phase:
Skill: requesting-code-review Context provided to reviewer: - WORKSPACE_MODE: multi-repo - WORKSPACE_ROOT: {workspace-root} - REPOS_IN_PHASE: {list-of-repos-with-tasks} For each repo: - REPO: {repo-name} - WORKTREE: {repo}/.worktrees/{runid}-main - TASKS: {tasks-in-this-repo} - BASE_BRANCH: {repo-base-branch} - CONSTITUTION: {repo}/docs/constitutions/current/ Cross-repo context: - SPEC: {workspace-root}/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md - PLAN: {workspace-root}/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/plan.md **CRITICAL - EXHAUSTIVE FIRST-PASS REVIEW:** This is your ONLY opportunity to find issues. Re-review is for verifying fixes, NOT discovering new problems. Check EVERYTHING in this single review: □ Implementation correctness - logic bugs, edge cases, error handling, race conditions □ Test correctness - expectations match actual behavior, coverage is complete, no false positives □ Cross-file consistency - logic coherent across all files, no contradictions □ Architectural soundness - follows patterns, proper separation of concerns, no coupling issues □ Scope adherence - implements ONLY Phase {phase-number} work, no later-phase implementations □ Constitution compliance - follows all project standards and conventions Find ALL issues NOW. If you catch yourself thinking "I'll check that in re-review" - STOP. Check it NOW. Binary verdict required: "Ready to merge? Yes" (only if EVERYTHING passes) or "Ready to merge? No" (list ALL issues found) -
Parse "Ready to merge?" field:
- "Yes" → APPROVED, continue to next phase
- "No" or "With fixes" → REJECTED, dispatch fix subagent, go to step 3
- No output / missing field → RETRY ONCE, if retry fails → STOP
- Soft language → REJECTED, re-review required
-
Re-review loop (if REJECTED):
- Track rejections (REJECTION_COUNT)
- If count > 3: Escalate to user (architectural issues beyond subagent scope)
- Dispatch fix subagent with:
- Issues list (severity + file locations)
- Context: constitution, spec, plan
- Scope enforcement: If scope creep, implement LESS (roll back to phase scope)
- Quality checks required
- Re-review after fixes (return to step 1)
- On approval: Announce completion with iteration count
Critical: Only "Ready to merge? Yes" allows proceeding. Everything else stops execution.
Phase completion:
- If
REVIEW_FREQUENCY="per-phase": Phase complete ONLY when code review returns "Ready to merge? Yes" - If
REVIEW_FREQUENCY="end-only"or"skip": Phase complete after all tasks finish (code review skipped)
Rationalization Table
| Excuse | Reality |
|--------|---------|
| "Need manual stacking commands" | gs branch create stacks automatically on current HEAD |
| "Files don't overlap, could parallelize" | Plan says sequential for semantic dependencies |
| "Create phase-specific worktree" | Sequential phases share main worktree (per repo in multi-repo) |
| "Review rejected, ask user" | Autonomous execution means automatic fixes |
| "Scope creep but quality passes" | Plan violation = failure. Auto-fix to plan |
| "Use same worktree for all repos" | Multi-repo: each repo has its own worktree |
| "Stack across repos" | Cannot stack across repos - each repo has independent stack |
| "Use root CLAUDE.md for all repos" | Multi-repo: read each repo's own CLAUDE.md for setup commands |
| "Use root constitution for all repos" | Multi-repo: use each task's repo constitution |