Files
msd-core/get-shit-done/references/thinking-partner.md
Tom Boucher 73c1af5168 fix(#2543): replace legacy /gsd-<cmd> syntax with /gsd:<cmd> across all source files (#2595)
Commands are now installed as commands/gsd/<name>.md and invoked as
/gsd:<name> in Claude Code. The old hyphen form /gsd-<name> was still
hardcoded in hundreds of places across workflows, references, templates,
lib modules, and command files — causing "Unknown command" errors
whenever GSD suggested a command to the user.

Replace all /gsd-<cmd> occurrences where <cmd> is a known command name
(derived at runtime from commands/gsd/*.md) using a targeted Node.js
script. Agent names, tool names (gsd-sdk, gsd-tools), directory names,
and path fragments are not touched.

Adds regression test tests/bug-2543-gsd-slash-namespace.test.cjs that
enforces zero legacy occurrences going forward. Removes inverted
tests/stale-colon-refs.test.cjs (bug #1748) which enforced the now-obsolete
hyphen form; the new bug-2543 test supersedes it. Updates 5 assertion
tests that hardcoded the old hyphen form to accept the new colon form.

Closes #2543

Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-04-22 12:04:25 -04:00

3.0 KiB

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

{
  "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