AlignFirst Guide

If you don't already know which protocol to use, read overview.md first.

Protocols

• Technical Specification (spec, or alspec): spec-protocol.md
• Implementation Plans (plan, or alplan): plan-protocol.md
• Align-and-Do Protocol (AAD): aad-protocol.md
• Description (aldescription): description-protocol.md
• Code Review (alreview): review-protocol.md
• Merge (merge, or almerge): merge-protocol.md

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 all existing files (do not truncate)

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
• description - PR/MR description
• review - code review report
• merge.summary - merge conflicts resolution summary

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 protocol or the user decides whether the next file continues the current cycle or starts a new one.
• To determine the next filename in the current cycle: find the highest CYCLE_LETTER, then the highest FILE_NUMBER within it. Bump the number.
• For a new cycle: bump CYCLE_LETTER and reset FILE_NUMBER to 1.
• Do not bother the user with CYCLE_LETTER or FILE_NUMBER. They are for internal organization. Start CYCLE_LETTER with A if there is no existing cycle. So you just need to ask for a ticket ID if you don't have one.
• 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.