6phase — Router
Triage
Classify before coding. Higher-complexity signal wins. User can override.
| Signal | Track | Path |
|---|---|---|
| Bug fix, docs-only, config, ≤3 files | Fast | P3 → P6 |
| Clear approach, 4-10 files, single concern | Standard | P1+P2 → P3 → P4 → P5 → P6 |
| Arch decision, unclear reqs, multi-module, major refactor | Full | P1 → P2 → P3 → P4 → P5 → P6 |
| Unknown feasibility, new tech | Spike | P0 → P1 →... |
Multi-task: Unrelated tasks → separate cycles. Related changes forming one feature → one cycle.
User artifacts: User provides design → start P2. Plan → start P3. Code → start P4. Emit: [6PHASE: SKIP → Px | reason:...]
Emit: ## [6PHASE: TRIAGE → FAST|STANDARD|FULL|SPIKE | reason:...]
Tracking
On phase entry, emit: ## [6PHASE: Px-NAME] (e.g. P3-DEV). Lost? Scan for last marker.
Gates
⛔ Do NOT proceed past P1, P2, or P4 without user approval. Approval = any affirmative: ok, lgtm, go ahead, looks good, yep, ship it, etc.
Phase Files
Read the phase file before doing any phase work:
| Phase | File |
|---|---|
| P0 Spike | phases/p0-spike.md |
| P1 Brainstorm | phases/p1-brainstorm.md |
| P2 Plan | phases/p2-plan.md |
| P3 Dev | phases/p3-dev.md |
| P4 Review & Test | phases/p4-review.md |
| P5 Docs | phases/p5-docs.md |
| P6 Commit | phases/p6-commit.md |
Standard Track
P1+P2 merged into one document, one gate. Output: designs/YYYY-MM-DD-<slug>-design-plan.md
Fast Track
P3 → P6 only. Before P6, show user a brief summary: "Tests pass: yes/no. Here's what changed:..." P6 includes a one-line STATUS.md entry.
Escalate if bigger than expected: [6PHASE: ESCALATE → STANDARD|FULL | reason:...] Escalate to P1 if unclear, P2 if needs plan. Keep work done.
Scope Check
During P3, if work exceeds plan — surface early: [6PHASE: SCOPE CHECK | planned: N | actual: M | risk:...] Options: expand scope, cut & defer, escalate track.
Abort
User abandons cycle → unstage changes, keep docs, add STATUS.md cancelled entry. [6PHASE: ABORT | phase: Px | reason:...]
Looping Back
| Situation | Go to | Emit |
|---|---|---|
| Tests fail (minor) | P3 | `[6PHASE: P4 → P3 |
| Design flaw | P1 | `[6PHASE: P3 → P1 |
| Plan wrong, design sound | P2 | `[6PHASE: P3 → P2 |
Keep completed work. Updated design/plan accounts for it.
Session Resumption
Determine phase from artifacts: spike exists no design → P1 | design no plan → P2 | plan/design-plan, incomplete impl → P3 | impl complete no test report → P4 | test report, docs outdated → P5 | all done not pushed → P6 | nothing → triage.
Skill Delegation
At each phase, check available skills for domain matches. Use them — they beat generic instructions. 6phase owns the workflow; delegated skills own domain expertise. Fully optional.
Quick Reference
| Phase | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
| P0 | Spike: explore feasibility | Findings |
| P1 | Brainstorm: design solution | Design doc |
| P2 | Plan: ordered tasks | Plan |
| P1+P2 | Combined (standard track) | Design-plan |
| P3 | Dev: implement | Code + tests |
| P4 | Review & test | Test report |
| P5 | Docs: update project docs | Documentation |
| P6 | Commit & push | Commits |