gh-codethread-claude-code-plugins-plugins-spec-dev/skills/spec-architect/references/ITERATE_WORKFLOW.md

ITERATE Workflow - Continuing Existing Work

Use this workflow when continuing work on an existing specification.

Phase 1: Load and Assess

Actions:

1. Load Project Configuration: Check for specs/PROJECT.md. If exists:

   • Read the entire file
   • Check version metadata and offer template updates if available (see version checking in PLAN_WORKFLOW.md or BUILD_WORKFLOW.md)
   • Extract sections per COMMUNICATION_PROTOCOL

2. Load Specification:

   • Read feature.md from provided spec directory
   • Read tech.md if it exists
   • Read notes.md if it exists

3. Assess Current State:

   • Review what's been completed (marked checkboxes in tech.md)
   • Identify incomplete tasks
   • Check for any new requirements or changes needed
   • Follow PROJECT.md guidelines if loaded earlier

4. Determine Next Action:

   • Continue incomplete implementation → Use BUILD workflow
   • Expand/refine specifications → Use PLAN workflow
   • Create initial specifications → Use PLAN workflow

Phase 2: Execute Appropriate Workflow

Based on your assessment, choose the appropriate workflow:

If continuing implementation

Use BUILD_WORKFLOW.md

• Specifications already exist and are validated
• Continue with task-by-task implementation
• Use existing tech.md checklist to track progress
• Follow Phase 1 (Implementation Coordination) through Phase 2 (Quality Gates)

If expanding or refining specifications

Use PLAN_WORKFLOW.md

• Start at appropriate phase based on what needs updating:
  • Phase 2 (Specification Creation) - Adding new FR-X/NFR-X requirements to existing feature.md
  • Phase 3 (Technical Design) - Updating tech.md with revised implementation approach
• Get user approval for changes
• Ensure spec review (Phase 3, Step 8) validates updated specs
• Then proceed to BUILD_WORKFLOW.md for implementation

If no specifications exist yet

Use PLAN_WORKFLOW.md from Phase 1

• Create complete specifications from scratch
• Validate before implementation
• Then proceed to BUILD_WORKFLOW.md

Key Principle

The ITERATE workflow doesn't duplicate content - it's simply an assessment entry point that routes to the appropriate workflow (PLAN or BUILD) based on the current state of the specification.