design-refinement

Classifies repository facts and unresolved decisions before implementation planning begins.

1|Updated Sep 11, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/rebuildup/my-web-2026 --skill design-refinement-rebuildup
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: design-refinement
Source: https://github.com/rebuildup/my-web-2026/tree/main/skills/design-refinement
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/rebuildup/my-web-2026 --skill design-refinement-rebuildup

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Non-trivial features and architecture work often start with hidden assumptions, leading to rework when implicit decisions turn out wrong. This Skill structures the pre-implementation phase so agents investigate repository evidence first and only escalate genuinely consequential decisions to the user. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Evidence-first investigation: Reads project policies, ADRs, existing implementations, tests, and official documentation before asking any questions. - Fact vs. decision classification: Separates investigable facts, determined decisions, and unresolved consequential decisions so users are only asked what truly requires their input. - Decision dependency graphs: Models dependencies between open decisions and asks only the current decision frontier, avoiding premature downstream questions. - Use Case: Before planning a new caching feature, the agent inspects existing data flow and ADRs, resolves naming and layout conventions itself, and asks the user only about the source-of-truth decision that changes product semantics. ## Quick Start Use the design-refinement skill to analyze this feature request against the repository and tell me which decisions actually need my input before planning.

Frequently Asked Questions about design-refinement

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I reduce clarification questions before implementing a feature?

Investigate repository evidence first: read project policies, ADRs, existing implementations, tests, and official docs. Classify remaining unknowns into facts you can resolve yourself and consequential decisions, then ask the user only about decisions that change product semantics or architecture.

What is a decision dependency graph in design refinement?

A decision dependency graph models how unresolved decisions depend on each other, such as a source-of-truth choice gating conflict-resolution and caching decisions. You only ask the user about the current frontier—decisions with no unresolved upstream dependencies.

When should a design decision be escalated to the user?

Escalate only when evidence leaves multiple meaningful options and the choice affects product semantics, architecture, public contracts, risk, cost, or release scope. Reversible, local decisions that do not change acceptance criteria should be resolved by the agent.

Does design refinement replace architecture decision records?

No. Design refinement discovers and classifies unknowns before planning, while ADRs persist significant decisions afterward. The skill recommends writing long-lived decisions to ADRs, specs, or project docs but does not replace the decision-precedence logic of engineering-decisions workflows.

What are the limitations of evidence-based design refinement?

It cannot resolve decisions that depend on information outside the repository, such as business priorities or user preferences not documented anywhere. It also intentionally avoids full specification, resolving only the uncertainty needed to start implementation safely.