# Thinking Partner Integration

Conditional extended thinking at workflow decision points. Activates when `features.thinking_partner: true` in `.planning/config.json` (default: false).

---

## Tradeoff Detection Signals

The thinking partner activates when developer responses contain specific signals indicating competing priorities:

**Keyword signals:**
- "or" / "versus" / "vs" connecting two approaches
- "tradeoff" / "trade-off" / "tradeoffs"
- "on one hand" / "on the other hand"
- "pros and cons"
- "not sure between" / "torn between"

**Structural signals:**
- Developer lists 2+ competing options
- Developer asks "which is better" or "what would you recommend"
- Developer reverses a previous decision ("actually, maybe we should...")

**When NOT to activate:**
- Developer has already made a clear choice
- The "or" is rhetorical or trivial (e.g., "tabs or spaces" — use project convention)
- Simple yes/no questions
- Developer explicitly asks to move on

---

## Integration Points

### 1. Discuss Phase — Tradeoff Deep-Dive

**When:** During `discuss_areas` step, after a developer answer reveals competing priorities.

**What:** Pause the normal question flow and offer a brief structured analysis:
```
I notice competing priorities here — {X} optimizes for {A} while {Y} optimizes for {B}.

Want me to think through the tradeoffs before we decide?
[Yes, analyze tradeoffs] / [No, I've decided]
```

If yes, provide a brief (3-5 bullet) analysis covering:
- What each approach optimizes for
- What each approach sacrifices
- Which aligns better with the project's stated goals (from PROJECT.md)
- A recommendation with reasoning

Then return to the normal discussion flow.

### 2. Plan Phase — Architectural Decision Analysis

**When:** During step 11 (Handle Checker Return), when the plan-checker flags issues containing architectural tradeoff keywords.

**What:** Before sending to the revision loop, analyze the architectural decision:
```
The plan-checker flagged an architectural tradeoff: {issue description}

Brief analysis:
- Option A: {approach} — {pros/cons}
- Option B: {approach} — {pros/cons}
- Recommendation: {choice} because {reasoning aligned with phase goals}

Apply this recommendation to the revision? [Yes] / [No, let me decide]
```

### 3. Explore — Approach Comparison (requires #1729)

**When:** During Socratic conversation, when multiple viable approaches emerge.
**Note:** This integration point will be added when /gsd-explore (#1729) lands.

---

## Configuration

```json
{
  "features": {
    "thinking_partner": true
  }
}
```

Default: `false`. The thinking partner is opt-in because it adds latency to interactive workflows.

---

## Design Principles

1. **Lightweight** — inline analysis, not a separate interactive session
2. **Opt-in** — must be explicitly enabled, never activates by default
3. **Skippable** — always offer "No, I've decided" to bypass
4. **Brief** — 3-5 bullets max, not a full research report
5. **Aligned** — recommendations reference PROJECT.md goals when available