Task Formulation

Purpose

Transforms a raw user request (e.g., "add authorization") into a formulated task — a structured document containing the description, technology stack, dependencies, and scope estimate. The output is persisted at the path printed by goga history path -f task.md (run goga history ensure first if the topic directory does not exist) and serves as input for the goga-brainstorm skill.

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Dialogue Rules

1. Drive the conversation through hypotheses. Present concrete options rather than open-ended questions.

2. Ask one question per message. Deliver a single focused question with 2-4 answer options.

3. Structure every response. This discipline prevents unstructured discussion.

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Phase 1: Input Collection

Accept the user's description of the desired outcome.

The description may be:

• Brief — a single sentence or feature name
• Detailed — a complete specification with requirements

If the description is brief, do not request clarifications yet. Phase 3 will resolve missing details. Retain the original description throughout the session.

Phase 2: Context Loading

Step 1: Load the DSL specification

Invoke goga-cell via the Skill tool. Purpose:

• Understand cell and CODEMANIFEST terminology for analyzing the existing architecture

Step 2: Load DSL application principles

Invoke goga-cookbook via the Skill tool. Purpose:

• Understand the two-level usages model (project-level .goga/usages/ and cell-level <cell_path>/.usages/)
• Learn usage file authoring principles for creating .goga/usages/cooks/

Step 3: Retrieve the project schema

Run goga schema to obtain the cell hierarchy.

If the project lacks an existing architecture, record this as a known fact.

Step 4: Retrieve base annotations and usages

Invoke goga-codemanifest-base via the Skill tool.

Step 5: Read relevant usages

If the task involves external libraries or technologies, read their corresponding usages from .goga/usages/cooks/.

Phase 3: Task Formulation

Objective: Align with the user on the exact scope and boundaries of the task.

Using the user's description (Phase 1) and project context (Phase 2), iteratively formulate the task:

1. Define the current state — based on Phase 2 context, describe:

   • For new features — what the project currently lacks
   • For modifications — how the affected area currently operates and what is unsatisfactory

2. Propose a hypothesis — a concrete task formulation with defined boundaries:

   • What to implement
   • What is explicitly out of scope
   • Which existing cells are impacted

3. Ask a single question — validate whether the current state description and hypothesis are correct, and whether any aspects are missing

4. Await the response — adjust and repeat

5. After formulation approval — offer to include code examples in the task:

   • If the task describes a library or API — suggest defining the target API with usage examples in the project's language
   • If the user emphasized a specific API or code during discussion — suggest capturing it in the task
   • If the user wants to write code directly — accept and include it in the task
   • If examples are unnecessary — proceed to Phase 4

Completion criteria:

• The task essence is formulated unambiguously
• Scope boundaries are defined (included and excluded)
• The user has approved the formulation

Phase 4: Technology Stack and External Dependencies

Objective: Define the technology stack and identify external dependencies.

1. Define the implementation stack — technologies to be used:

   • Frameworks, libraries, databases, message brokers, infrastructure components
   • Existing project usages (in .goga/usages/) that already describe the tools in use

2. Identify external dependencies — components not yet present in the project:

   • If the task requires a new component, record it
   • For each external dependency, check whether a usage file exists in .goga/usages/cooks/
   • If no usage file exists, schedule creation in Phase 5
   • If the existing usage file does not cover new usage patterns, schedule an update in Phase 5

3. Await feedback — the user approves or requests changes

   • Approved → proceed to Phase 5
   • Rejected → propose a revised stack incorporating the feedback

Completion criteria:

• Implementation stack is defined (frameworks, libraries, databases, brokers, infrastructure)
• External dependencies are documented
• .goga/usages/cooks files to create or update are identified

Phase 5: Usage File Management (.goga/usages/cooks)

Objective: Ensure all external dependencies from Phase 4 are covered by usage files.

For usage file authoring principles, invoke the goga-cookbook skill.

Creating new usage files

For each external dependency without a usage file:

1. Propose usage file content:

   • Component description and purpose
   • Usage patterns relevant to the current task
   • Code examples

2. Await feedback — the user approves or requests changes

   • Approved → create .goga/usages/cooks/<name>.md
   • Rejected → propose revised content

Updating existing usage files

For each dependency whose usage file does not cover new usage patterns:

1. Propose additions — sections and examples to add to the existing file

2. Await feedback — the user approves or requests changes

   • Approved → update .goga/usages/cooks/<name>.md
   • Rejected → propose revised additions

If all external dependencies are covered by current usage files, skip this phase.

Phase 6: Scope Estimation

Objective: Assess the task scale and determine whether decomposition is necessary.

1. Assess the scale:

   • Number of entities/types involved
   • Presence of multiple independent subsystems
   • Complexity of interactions

2. Present the estimate to the user:

   • Single task or multiple tasks
   • If multiple, propose a breakdown into subtasks
   • Each subtask must deliver independent value

3. Await feedback — the user approves or requests changes

Phase 7: Task Persistence

Objective: Save the formulated task to the path printed by goga history path -f task.md, using the template (run goga history ensure first if the topic directory does not exist).

The topic directory is the current one in the history tree, resolved by goga history path.

1. Read the task-template.md template from the current skill directory and apply its structure.

2. Save the file and present a summary to the user:

   • Task name
   • Technology stack
   • External dependency count
   • Scope (single task / breakdown)
   • Risks and constraints

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