implement · git:20260923.c68d399 · 2026-09-23 · sha256 f039ac0e9c35a051

implement git:20260923.c68d399A

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---
name: implement
description: Deliver prepared work with test-first verification, current documentation, and a verified handoff.
disable-model-invocation: true
---

# Implement a verified change

Deliver one coherent, reviewable outcome. Tests, context, and affected documentation
belong to the change; an implementation request does not authorize unrelated work,
external publication, merge, or deployment.

## 1. Read the work and verify readiness

1. Read the request, project instructions, current repository state, and existing
   work record. For a Linear issue, include comments, linked decisions, acceptance
   criteria, prerequisites, and delivery boundary.
2. Apply [intake and handoff](references/intake-and-handoff.md) to verify the work
   type, ownership, prerequisites, prototype version, and context changes.
3. Trace the affected behavior through callers, contracts, configuration, and tests.
   Separate unrelated local work and pre-existing failures.
4. Resolve discoverable facts locally. For consequential open choices or conflicts,
   record the decision needed and propose returning to interview; pause only the
   dependent work. A ready label alone is not evidence of readiness.

**Done:** scope, prerequisites, authorization, and independent acceptance evidence
are clear. Otherwise report the precise blocker and continue only independent,
authorized work. In read-only or planning mode, retain a plan rather than edit.

## 2. Prepare the change and verification

1. Preserve the prepared branch/worktree and unrelated changes. Identify existing
   components and dependencies to reuse; avoid speculative restructuring.
   Record the task's starting revision and scoped local changes for later review.
2. Establish the relevant baseline and map each acceptance criterion to a focused
   check, including consequential adverse cases for security, privacy, money,
   destructive operations, or public compatibility.
3. Choose the smallest coherent implementation sequence and the agreed delivery
   boundary. Read [delivery](references/delivery.md) before Git publication or
   Linear updates; continue local preparation when external writes are pending.

**Done:** baseline and checks identified, work isolated, delivery expectations explicit.

## 3. Implement with tests and documentation

For each production behavior:

1. Write a focused test at an existing caller-facing boundary.
2. Run it and inspect the failure: it must demonstrate the missing behavior,
   not a broken fixture, dependency, or command.
3. Make the smallest correct change using established components and contracts.
4. Run the test again; refactor while green, then move to the next behavior.

| Work shape | Verification |
| --- | --- |
| Production behavior | Test first by default |
| Test-first unsuitable | State why and use relevant substitute evidence; avoid infrastructure solely for ceremony |
| Refactoring | Establish and preserve a passing behavioral baseline |
| Documentation only | Verify sources, claims, and links; no artificial code change or failing test |

- Deliver the accepted context delta using [intake and handoff](references/intake-and-handoff.md#deliver-context-with-the-change).
- For a new, substantially changed, audited, or retired system page, use
  [system documentation](references/system-documentation.md). Keep small wording
  repairs local to their sources and links.
- Keep comments beside verified, non-obvious rationale or caller obligations.
  Explain workaround sources and removal conditions; update stale affected comments.
  Avoid narration, decorative labels, vague TODOs, and disabled code.
- A new consequential decision returns to clarification; ordinary internal choices
  remain with implementation. Research/prototype needs do not expand scope silently.

**Done:** each behavior has failing/passing evidence or a justified substitute;
code, context, contracts, and affected documentation agree.

## 4. Verify the complete result

1. Run [the review-correction loop](references/review-loop.md) using `code-review`.
   Reviewers inspect; implement verifies findings, corrects confirmed problems,
   and requests targeted follow-up. Keep optional cleanup out of the change.
2. Run focused checks and required project checks. Fix failures caused by the
   change; report pre-existing failures without broadening the task.
3. For user-visible behavior, exercise the ordinary integrated entry point,
   interactions, and relevant narrow or target-device layout. Keep the review
   surface available through supported tools.
4. Identify prototype, simulation, or live data. Distinguish inspected behavior,
   executed checks, and unavailable runtime evidence.
5. After a visual bug fix or when a recorded demo is requested, use the available
   `video-report` skill to capture and review evidence; its capture rules stay there.
   Video supplements tests, not replaces them. If unavailable, report the gap;
   it blocks delivery only when video is required acceptance evidence. Keep recordings
   local unless their publication is authorized.

**Done:** the review loop's stopping conditions hold, and acceptance evidence covers
the connected result and relevant failure cases.
Missing required verification remains a delivery limitation, not a claimed pass.

## 5. Deliver and report

1. Follow [delivery](references/delivery.md) for authorized commits, PRs, reviews,
   and meaningful Linear updates.
2. Preserve the existing record; link artifacts and evidence rather than creating
   another backlog. Report acceptance, integration, and deployment separately.
3. Return the result, affected files, checks, limitations, and next owner/action.
   When video evidence was produced, include its supported preview or absolute local
   path, the demonstrated scenario and observed result, and any review limitations.
   A newly prepared issue or broader goal needs a separate request, not automatic
   continuation into the next feature.

**Done:** the agreed completion boundary is met and required updates are verified.
Otherwise report the completed local work and exact pending delivery operations.