Epic Design

Generate ordered design and implementation stories for software epics.

6|3|Updated Apr 12, 2026

Search Tags:#planning #backlog #software-development #epic #story-mapping #design-first

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/carson-sweet/sweetclaude --skill epic-design-carson-sweet

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Epic Design
Source: https://github.com/carson-sweet/sweetclaude/tree/main/skills/epic-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/carson-sweet/sweetclaude --skill epic-design-carson-sweet

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires bash, python3, yaml.

What problem does it solve?

This skill solves the problem of disorganized project planning by enforcing a structured, design-first approach to epic creation, ensuring that user promises and system requirements are defined before any implementation begins.

Core Features & Use Cases

Structured Story Mapping: Automatically generates a sequence of design, debt, and implementation stories based on a fixed, proven methodology.
Promise-Driven Development: Enforces the definition of user and system promises as the foundational step for every epic.
Gap Identification: Systematically surfaces design gaps and inter-service boundary issues before they become technical debt.

Quick Start

Invoke the epic design skill by typing the command to design a new epic followed by your project title.

Frequently Asked Questions about Epic Design

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I structure software epics using a design-first story mapping approach?▼

Design-first story mapping structures software epics by generating an ordered list of design, debt, and implementation stories. It enforces promise-based design and maps service boundaries to define user promises before implementation begins.

What is promise-driven development and how does it identify design gaps?▼

Promise-driven development enforces the definition of user and system promises as the foundational step for every epic. This approach systematically surfaces design gaps and inter-service boundary issues before they become technical debt.

How do I generate a backlog for a software development epic?▼

To generate a backlog for a software development epic, you invoke the epic design skill with your project title. It produces a structured sequence of stories while formally generating artifacts for all service contracts and user promises.

Do I need Python3 and Bash to run epic planning and story mapping?▼

Yes, you need Python3, Bash, and YAML to run epic planning and story mapping. These dependencies are required to execute the structured story generation and formal artifact creation for service contracts.

Are there limitations on the number of stories generated for an epic?▼

Yes, there is a strict 14-story limit for epic generation. This constraint ensures focused project planning by enforcing a fixed, proven methodology that resolves prerequisite debt across service boundaries.