AlignFirst Guide

Protocols

Choose the appropriate protocol based on the task:

• Technical Specification (spec, or alspec): Read spec-protocol.md to write a technical specification
• Implementation Plans (plan, or alplan): Read plan-protocol.md to create implementation plans from a spec
• Align-and-Do Protocol (AAD): Read aad-protocol.md for smaller tasks without formal spec/plans
• Description (aldescription): Read description-protocol.md to write a description summarizing implemented work

TASK_DIR Location

TASK_DIR is the directory where work files related to a task are stored. Usually, we use TASK_DIR = .plans/{TICKET_ID}/ (a sub-directory of the .plans folder). If no ticket ID is known, ask the user for it.

• Create TASK_DIR if it doesn't exist
• Or, list existing files

File Naming Convention

Format: {CYCLE_LETTER}{FILE_NUMBER}-{FILE_TYPE}.md

Common file types:

• spec - technical specification
• plan - implementation plan
• AAD.summary - AAD summary document

Example structure:

.plans/
├── 123/
│   ├── A1-spec.md
│   ├── A2-plan.md
│   └── A3-AAD.summary.md
│   └── B1-spec.md

Notes

• TICKET_ID is a unique identifier for the task, often an issue or ticket number.
• Cycles are identified by a CYCLE_LETTER (A, B, C...). The user decides when to start a new one.
• In a cycle, determine the next FILE_NUMBER from existing file names. Every new file must have a bumped file number.
• Do not bother the user with CYCLE_LETTER or FILE_NUMBER. They are for internal organization. It's up to you to list the files and determine the last CYCLE_LETTER and FILE_NUMBER. Start CYCLE_LETTER with A if there is no existing cycle, and FILE_NUMBER with 1. So you just need to ask for a ticket ID if you don't have one.
• When the user requests a new cycle: bump CYCLE_LETTER and reset FILE_NUMBER.
• There is no strict sequence of file types in the workflow. Available file types are also flexible; if you need a new one, just create it.