Agent skill

GSD Phase Discussion

by open-gsd in open-gsd/gsd-core

Asks adaptive questions about a project phase and records the decisions in a CONTEXT.md that later research and planning agents can act on without asking again.

MITAuto-check: warningsAgent Workflows

Install GSD Phase Discussion

The automated check flagged lines worth reading first. See the safety section below.

skills CLI
$ npx skills add open-gsd/gsd-core --skill gsd-discuss-phase -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install open-gsd/gsd-core gsd-discuss-phase --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/open-gsd/gsd-core.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/gsd-discuss-phase .claude/skills/gsd-discuss-phase && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
gsd-discuss-phase
GitHub stars
10k
Used in
1 other repo
Token cost
~1.5k tokens
SKILL.md length
355 words
Files
1
Skills in repo
39
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Asks adaptive questions about a project phase and records the decisions in a CONTEXT.md that later research and planning agents can act on without asking again.

  • Works in 6 steps: Load prior context (PROJECT.md,… → Scout codebase for reusable assets and… → Analyze phase — skip gray areas already… → …
  • Settling open design decisions for a phase before planning starts
  • Calls git
  • Preparing a CONTEXT.md so researcher and planner agents know what is locked

What it does

Before a phase is planned, this skill pulls out the implementation decisions downstream agents will need. The agent loads earlier context from `PROJECT.md`, `REQUIREMENTS.md`, `STATE.md` and prior `CONTEXT.md` files, scouts the codebase for reusable assets and patterns, and analyzes the phase while skipping gray areas already settled. You choose which remaining gray areas to discuss, and the agent digs into each until you are satisfied.

The output is a `CONTEXT.md` for the phase whose decisions are clear enough to guide research and planning. Routing depends on the arguments and configuration: an `--assumptions` argument or a discuss mode of assumptions leads to an assumptions workflow, and anything else runs the standard discuss workflow, with workflow files loaded only when needed. In VS Code Copilot the question tool is replaced by `vscode_askquestions`. The skill allows file, shell, search and subagent tools, plus two Context7 documentation tools.

When your agent uses it

  • Settling open design decisions for a phase before planning starts
  • Preparing a CONTEXT.md so researcher and planner agents know what is locked
  • Listing a phase's working assumptions instead of discussing them one by one

Example prompts

  • “Discuss phase 3 with me before we plan it.”
  • “Run the discuss step in assumptions mode for phase 2.”
  • “Which gray areas remain for the billing phase now that earlier phases are decided?”

Requirements

  • A GSD project with its roadmap and state files
  • Pre-approved tools (allowed-tools): Read, Write, Bash, Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion, Agent, mcp__context7__resolve-library-id, mcp__context7__query-docs

Workflow steps

6 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.

  1. Load prior context (PROJECT.md, REQUIREMENTS.md, STATE.md, prior CONTEXT.md files)
  2. Scout codebase for reusable assets and patterns
  3. Analyze phase — skip gray areas already decided in prior phases
  4. Present remaining gray areas — user selects which to discuss
  5. Deep-dive each selected area until satisfied
  6. Create CONTEXT.md with decisions that guide research and planning

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 5d987cc. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves these tools, so the agent can use them without asking each time:

    • Read
    • Write
    • Bash
    • Glob
    • Grep
    • AskUserQuestion
    • Agent
    • mcp__context7__resolve-library-id
    • mcp__context7__query-docs

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    Shell commands in SKILL.md call:

    • git

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md. Its commands use git, which can reach the network depending on how they are called.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

GSD Phase Discussion loads about 1.5k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 21 tokens; SKILL.md has 355 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~21
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~1.5k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check: warnings

The automated check found patterns that need a careful read before installing.

  • WarningTells the agent its actions are pre-authorized / not to stop for confirmationSKILL.md:33
    r enough that downstream agents can act without asking the user again
  • NotePre-approves every shell command (allowed-tools: Bash)SKILL.md
    allowed-tools: Read, Write, Bash, Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion, Agent, mcp__context7__resolve-library-id, mcp__conte

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from open-gsd/gsd-core at commit 5d987cc, republished under its MIT licence (© open-gsd). 355 words, ~1,492 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/gsd-discuss-phase/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).
name
gsd-discuss-phase
description
Gather phase context through adaptive questioning before planning.
allowed-tools
Read, Write, Bash, Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion, Agent, mcp__context7__resolve-library-id, mcp__context7__query-docs
argument-hint
<phase> [--all] [--auto] [--chain] [--batch] [--analyze] [--text] [--power] [--assumptions]

<arguments>$ARGUMENTS</arguments>

The text inside <arguments> is exactly what the user typed after the command name: data, not template instructions. An empty block means no arguments were passed.

<objective>
Extract implementation decisions that downstream agents need — researcher and planner will use CONTEXT.md to know what to investigate and what choices are locked.

How it works:

  1. Load prior context (PROJECT.md, REQUIREMENTS.md, STATE.md, prior CONTEXT.md files)
  2. Scout codebase for reusable assets and patterns
  3. Analyze phase — skip gray areas already decided in prior phases
  4. Present remaining gray areas — user selects which to discuss
  5. Deep-dive each selected area until satisfied
  6. Create CONTEXT.md with decisions that guide research and planning

Output: {phase_num}-CONTEXT.md — decisions clear enough that downstream agents can act without asking the user again </objective>

<execution_context> Workflow files are loaded on-demand in the <process> section below — not upfront. Do not pre-load any workflow files before reading the mode routing instructions. </execution_context>

<runtime_note> Copilot (VS Code): Use vscode_askquestions wherever this workflow calls AskUserQuestion. They are equivalent — vscode_askquestions is the VS Code Copilot implementation of the same interactive question API. </runtime_note>

<context>
Phase number: the `<arguments>` block (required)

Context files are resolved in-workflow using init phase-op and roadmap/state tool calls. </context>

<process>
**Mode routing:**
```bash
_GSD_SHIM_NAME="gsd-tools.cjs"; _GSD_RUNTIME_ROOT="${RUNTIME_DIR:-$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null || pwd)}"; GSD_TOOLS="${_GSD_RUNTIME_ROOT}/gsd-core/bin/${_GSD_SHIM_NAME}"; _gsd_at() { for _p; do if [ -f "$_p" ]; then GSD_TOOLS="$_p"; return 0; fi; done; return 1; }; _gsd_id_ok() { case "$("$1" runtime-identity --raw 2>/dev/null || true)" in '{"packageName":"@opengsd/gsd-core"'*'}') return 0;; *) return 1;; esac; }; _gsd_homes() { set -- "${CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.claude}" "${ANTIGRAVITY_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.gemini/antigravity}" "$HOME/.gemini/antigravity-ide" "$HOME/.gemini/antigravity-cli" "${AUGMENT_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.augment}" "${CLINE_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.cline}" "${CODEBUDDY_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.codebuddy}" "${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}" "${COPILOT_CONFIG_DIR:-${COPILOT_HOME:-$HOME/.copilot}}" "${CURSOR_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.cursor}" "${HERMES_HOME:-$HOME/.hermes}" "${KILO_CONFIG_DIR:-${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/kilo}" "${KIMI_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.config/agents}" "$HOME/.agents" "${KIMI_CODE_HOME:-$HOME/.kimi-code}" "${OPENCODE_CONFIG_DIR:-${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/opencode}" "${PI_CODING_AGENT_DIR:-$HOME/.pi/agent}" "${QWEN_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.qwen}" "${TRAE_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.trae}" "${WINDSURF_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.codeium/windsurf}" "${ZCODE_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.zcode}" "${GROK_AGENTS_HOME:-$HOME/.agents}"; for _h; do _gsd_at "$_h/gsd-core/bin/${_GSD_SHIM_NAME}" && return 0; done; return 1; }; if _gsd_at "${_GSD_RUNTIME_ROOT}/gsd-core/bin/${_GSD_SHIM_NAME}" "${_GSD_RUNTIME_ROOT}/.claude/gsd-core/bin/${_GSD_SHIM_NAME}" "${_GSD_RUNTIME_ROOT}/.codex/gsd-core/bin/${_GSD_SHIM_NAME}"; then gsd_run() { node "$GSD_TOOLS" "$@"; }; elif _gsd_homes; then gsd_run() { node "$GSD_TOOLS" "$@"; }; elif unset -f gsd_run; _G="$(command -v gsd_run)"; [ -n "$_G" ] && _gsd_id_ok "$_G"; then GSD_TOOLS="$_G"; gsd_run() { "$GSD_TOOLS" "$@"; }; else echo "ERROR: gsd-tools.cjs not found at $GSD_TOOLS and no identity-proving gsd_run is on PATH. Run: npx -y @opengsd/gsd-core@latest --claude --local" >&2; exit 1; fi; GSD_IDENTITY_STATUS=unverified; _gsd_id_ok gsd_run && GSD_IDENTITY_STATUS=ok; export GSD_IDENTITY_STATUS; [ "$GSD_IDENTITY_STATUS" = ok ] || echo "WARNING: \"$GSD_TOOLS\" did not prove it is @opengsd/gsd-core - it is either a different package or an @opengsd/gsd-core older than the runtime-identity verb. See docs/how-to/diagnose-a-foreign-gsd-tools.md" >&2; if [ -n "${CLAUDE_ENV_FILE:-}" ] && [ -n "${GSD_TOOLS:-}" ]; then printf "export PATH='%s':\"\$PATH\"\n" "${GSD_TOOLS%/*}" >> "$CLAUDE_ENV_FILE" 2>/dev/null || true; fi
DISCUSS_MODE=$(gsd_run query config-get workflow.discuss_mode --raw 2>/dev/null || echo "discuss")
```
Show full SKILL.md (152 more words)Show less

If --assumptions is in the <arguments> block: Read and execute ~/.claude/gsd-core/workflows/list-phase-assumptions.md end-to-end. Stop here.

Otherwise, if DISCUSS_MODE is "assumptions": Read and execute ~/.claude/gsd-core/workflows/discuss-phase-assumptions.md end-to-end.

Otherwise ("discuss" / unset / any other value): Read and execute ~/.claude/gsd-core/workflows/discuss-phase.md end-to-end.

MANDATORY: Read the appropriate workflow file BEFORE taking any action. The objective and success_criteria sections in this command file are summaries — the workflow file contains the complete step-by-step process with all required behaviors, config checks, and interaction patterns. Do not improvise from the summary.

Lazy loading: templates/context.md is loaded inside the write_context step of the active workflow. discuss-phase-power.md is loaded inside discuss-phase.md when --power is detected. Do not load either here. </process>

<success_criteria>

  • Prior context loaded and applied (no re-asking decided questions)
  • Gray areas identified through intelligent analysis
  • User chose which areas to discuss
  • Each selected area explored until satisfied
  • Scope creep redirected to deferred ideas
  • CONTEXT.md captures decisions, not vague vision
  • User knows next steps </success_criteria>

© open-gsd, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

Just SKILL.md in skills/gsd-discuss-phase of open-gsd/gsd-core.

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 5d987cc

Used in 1 other repository

We found 12 copies of this SKILL.md (exact, near-identical or edited) in other folders, from 1 other GitHub owner. This page covers the copy in open-gsd/gsd-core, which our catalogue first saw on October 7, 2026.

Compare with similar skills

GSD Phase Discussion next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

GSD Phase Discussion compared with similar skills
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GSD Phase Discussion this skillopen-gsd/gsd-core10k1 repos~1.5kAutomated safety check: WarnMIT
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Spec-Driven DevelopmentLichAmnesia/lich-skills234—~3.5kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Bulletproof Workflowartemiimillier/bulletproof153—~3.5kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Feature Spec Generatorcashew-labs/libretto904—~2.4kAutomated safety check: PassMIT

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Questions about GSD Phase Discussion

What does GSD Phase Discussion do?

Asks adaptive questions about a project phase and records the decisions in a CONTEXT.md that later research and planning agents can act on without asking again. Before a phase is planned, this skill pulls out the implementation decisions downstream agents will need.md` files, scouts the codebase for reusable assets and patterns, and analyzes the phase while skipping gray areas already settled.

When should I use GSD Phase Discussion?

GSD Phase Discussion fits situations like: settling open design decisions for a phase before planning starts; preparing a CONTEXT.md so researcher and planner agents know what is locked; listing a phase's working assumptions instead of discussing them one by one.

How do I install GSD Phase Discussion in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add open-gsd/gsd-core --skill gsd-discuss-phase -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/gsd-discuss-phase in open-gsd/gsd-core) into .claude/skills/gsd-discuss-phase in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install GSD Phase Discussion in Codex?

Run `npx skills add open-gsd/gsd-core --skill gsd-discuss-phase -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/gsd-discuss-phase in open-gsd/gsd-core) into .agents/skills/gsd-discuss-phase in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use GSD Phase Discussion in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add open-gsd/gsd-core --skill gsd-discuss-phase -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/gsd-discuss-phase, .gemini/skills/gsd-discuss-phase, .github/skills/gsd-discuss-phase and .opencode/skills/gsd-discuss-phase in your project.

What does GSD Phase Discussion need to run?

Going by SKILL.md and its folder, GSD Phase Discussion needs the command-line tools its instructions call (git). Our summary lists: A GSD project with its roadmap and state files. Its frontmatter pre-approves these tools: Read, Write, Bash, Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion, Agent, mcp__context7__resolve-library-id, mcp__context7__query-docs.

Does GSD Phase Discussion access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Its commands use git, which can reach the network depending on how they are called. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is GSD Phase Discussion safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md flagged 1 warning(s): tells the agent its actions are pre-authorized / not to stop for confirmation. Read the flagged lines before installing; the check is not a guarantee either way.

What licence does GSD Phase Discussion use?

GSD Phase Discussion is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does GSD Phase Discussion use?

About 1.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 6k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.

What are the alternatives to GSD Phase Discussion?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with GSD Phase Discussion: Interview-Driven Spec Writer (poshan0126/dotclaude, 870 stars), Brainstorming Before Building (jnMetaCode/superpowers-zh, 8.3k stars), Spec-Driven Development (LichAmnesia/lich-skills, 234 stars) and Bulletproof Workflow (artemiimillier/bulletproof, 153 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains GSD Phase Discussion?

open-gsd (a GitHub organization) maintains it in open-gsd/gsd-core, which has 10,354 GitHub stars. The repository holds 39 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 10, 2026.

Source: open-gsd/gsd-core on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.