# Methodology Packs

Curated skill packs for debugging, testing, planning, and collaboration

# Methodology Packs

Methodology packs are curated collections of skills that guide AI agents through structured workflows. Each pack bundles related skills around a domain — debugging, testing, planning, or collaboration.

## Available Packs

| Pack       | Skills                                                       | Description                     |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| **debugging**   | root-cause-analysis, trace-and-isolate, hypothesis-testing | Systematic bug investigation     |
| **testing**     | red-green-refactor, test-patterns, anti-patterns         | Test-driven development         |
| **planning**    | design-first, task-decomposition, verification-gates     | Design and decomposition        |
| **collaboration**| structured-review, parallel-investigation, handoff-protocols | Code review and handoffs       |
| **meta**       | skill-authoring                                            | Writing effective skills        |

## Commands

```
skillkit methodology list                    # List available packs
skillkit methodology install debugging       # Install a pack
skillkit methodology apply testing           # Apply pack to current project
skillkit methodology validate planning       # Validate pack skills
skillkit methodology load collaboration      # Load pack into agent context
```

## Pack Structure

Each pack lives under `packages/core/src/methodology/packs/` with this structure:

```
packs/
  debugging/
    pack.json           # Pack manifest (name, skills, tags)
    root-cause-analysis/
      SKILL.md          # Skill content
    trace-and-isolate/
      SKILL.md
    hypothesis-testing/
      SKILL.md
```

## Skills Reference

### Debugging

- **root-cause-analysis** — Five Whys method, structured investigation phases, evidence collection, causal chain verification
- **trace-and-isolate** — Binary search debugging, git bisect, strategic logging, component isolation, minimal reproduction
- **hypothesis-testing** — Scientific method for debugging: observe, hypothesize, predict, test, conclude

### Testing

- **red-green-refactor** — Write a failing test, make it pass with minimal code, then refactor while green
- **test-patterns** — AAA, Given-When-Then, Test Data Builders, Object Mother, parameterized tests, fixtures, spies
- **anti-patterns** — Flaky tests, over-mocking, brittle assertions, test interdependency, hidden logic

### Planning

- **design-first** — Technical design documents before code: architecture, data models, API definitions, trade-off analysis
- **task-decomposition** — Vertical slicing, horizontal layering, workflow and component decomposition
- **verification-gates** — Validation checkpoints between phases with checklists and approval criteria

### Collaboration

- **structured-review** — Five-stage code review: requirements, correctness, quality, testing, security
- **parallel-investigation** — Coordinate multiple investigation threads with sync points and convergence decisions
- **handoff-protocols** — Structured work transitions: planned, unplanned, and partial handoffs

### Meta

- **skill-authoring** — Guidelines for writing SKILL.md files: frontmatter, triggers, directive language, content patterns

## Using with Agents

Once installed, methodology skills activate automatically based on trigger phrases. For example:

```
You: "I need to debug this failing API endpoint"
Agent: [Activates root-cause-analysis skill]

You: "Let's write tests first for this feature"
Agent: [Activates red-green-refactor skill]

You: "Break down this feature into tasks"
Agent: [Activates task-decomposition skill]
```

## TUI Integration

Access methodology packs from the TUI by pressing `o` (Methodology screen). Browse, install, and apply packs interactively.