The Phase Loop

#Overview

GSD breaks work into phases — a deployment setup phase, a feature phase, a polish phase. Each phase follows the same loop: discuss first to shape the work, plan to decompose it, execute to build it, verify to confirm it’s done. The loop repeats for every phase, keeping each increment focused and reviewable.

#Discuss

The discuss phase is where you and the agent clarify requirements, make architectural decisions, and lock choices before any code is written. Skipping discuss means the agent makes all decisions without your input — you end up reviewing surprises instead of confirming expectations.

$ /gsd:discuss-phase 1

#Plan

The agent creates numbered PLAN.md files in .planning/phases/ with wave-organized tasks. Each plan is a self-contained execution prompt with enough context that the executor doesn’t need to explore the codebase independently.

$ /gsd:plan-phase 1

#Execute

The agent works through each plan in wave order. Autonomous tasks run without interruption; checkpoint tasks pause and ask for your decision or verification before continuing.

$ /gsd:execute-phase 1

#Verify

The agent checks all requirements are met and creates a VERIFICATION.md with any gaps found. Gaps are a prioritised list of what to address before calling the phase done — not a sign that something went wrong.

$ /gsd:verify-work 1

#The Loop Repeats

After verification, start the next phase with the same four steps. Each phase builds on the previous one, accumulating context and momentum as the project grows.