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trellis-before-dev

trellis-before-dev

github.com/mindfold-aiDevelopment15.0k137 installsUpdated 4w ago
Repository

About trellis-before-dev

A Trellis skill that guides developers through reading task requirements and applicable project guidelines before implementation. It helps establish a scoped plan and requires this preparation before coding.

Key features

  1. 01Reads task artifacts
  2. 02Discovers packages and spec layers
  3. 03Identifies applicable guidelines
  4. 04Checks shared guides
  5. 05Sets boundaries for non-trivial work

Use cases

  1. 01Preparing to implement a task
  2. 02Finding coding standards for a package
  3. 03Scoping changes across files or layers

Install

Copy the command and run it in a terminal.

$npx skills add https://github.com/mindfold-ai/trellis --skill trellis-before-dev

After installing, type/trellis-before-devin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.

Details

From the project README

Read the relevant development guidelines before starting your task.

Execute these steps:

  1. Read current task artifacts:

    • prd.md for requirements and acceptance criteria
    • design.md if present for technical design
    • implement.md if present for execution order and validation plan

  2. Discover packages and their spec layers:

    python3 ./.trellis/scripts/get_context.py --mode packages

  3. Identify which specs apply to your task based on:

    • Which package you're modifying (e.g., cli/, docs-site/)
    • What type of work (backend, frontend, unit-test, docs, etc.)
    • Any spec/research paths referenced by the task artifacts

  4. Read the spec index for each relevant module:

    cat .trellis/spec/<package>/<layer>/index.md

    Follow the "Pre-Development Checklist" section in the index.

  5. Read the specific guideline files listed in the Pre-Development Checklist that are relevant to your task. The index is NOT the goal — it points you to the actual guideline files (e.g., error-handling.md, conventions.md, mock-strategies.md). Read those files to understand the coding standards and patterns.

  6. Always read shared guides:

    cat .trellis/spec/guides/index.md

  7. For a non-trivial task, state the change boundary before writing code. Non-trivial means it touches more than one file, crosses a layer, changes a public interface, or edits code you did not just write. Write down:

    • the smallest behavior gap between what happens now and what should happen
    • where that behavior actually lives (not where it is easiest to intercept)
    • which files you expect to change, and why each one is necessary
    • what you are explicitly not doing in this task
    • if a local refactor is needed, how you will show it did not change behavior

    A small, well-scoped change does not need this — do it directly.

    If the real scope turns out to be clearly larger than this, say so and why before continuing. Do not widen the change on your own.

  8. Understand the coding standards and patterns you need to follow, then proceed with your development plan.

This step is mandatory before writing any code.

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