Task Decomposition

Transform a PRD and Architecture document into a structured task list with epics, user stories, and atomic engineering tasks. Read docs/PRD.md and docs/ARCHITECTURE.md, analyze the work required, and produce docs/TASKS.md with tasks that are independently implementable and testable.

Workflow

START
  │
  ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Read docs/PRD.md            │ ◄── Load requirements
│ Read docs/ARCHITECTURE.md   │ ◄── Load technical design
└──────────┬──────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Identify Epics              │ ◄── Group by major feature areas
└──────────┬──────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Break into User Stories     │ ◄── Define user-facing value units
└──────────┬──────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Decompose into Tasks        │ ◄── Atomic, testable engineering work
└──────────┬──────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Confirm with user           │ ◄── Review structure, get approval
└──────────┬──────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Generate TASKS.md           │ ◄── Write to docs/TASKS.md
└─────────────────────────────┘

Step 1: Read Input Documents

Read both documents to understand:

• From PRD: User scenarios, acceptance criteria, scope boundaries, roles
• From Architecture: Tech stack, directory structure, key abstractions, data flow

If either file is missing, ask the user to provide it or suggest using the appropriate skill first (product-design for PRD, architecture for ARCHITECTURE.md).

Step 2: Identify Epics

Group work into 3-7 epics based on:

• Major feature areas from the PRD
• Architectural boundaries (frontend, backend, integrations)
• User roles or workflows

Each epic should represent a cohesive chunk of functionality that could be released independently.

Step 3: Break into User Stories

For each epic, create user stories that:

• Deliver user-facing value
• Are small enough to complete in 1-3 days
• Follow the format: "As a [role], I can [action] so that [benefit]"
• Include acceptance criteria from the PRD

Step 4: Decompose into Engineering Tasks

For each user story, create atomic tasks. Each task MUST:

Be small and focused:

• Touch 1-3 files maximum
• Completable in 1-4 hours
• Single responsibility

Be independently testable:

• Can be verified without other tasks complete
• Has clear pass/fail criteria
• Includes specific test approach

Have clear acceptance criteria:

• Defines "done" unambiguously
• References specific files/functions
• Includes edge cases to handle

Specify file paths:

• List exact files to create or modify
• Use paths from ARCHITECTURE.md directory structure

Step 5: Confirm with User

Before generating, summarize:

• Number of epics, stories, and tasks
• Any ambiguities or assumptions made
• Suggested implementation order

Ask if they're ready to proceed or want adjustments.

Step 6: Generate TASKS.md

Write to docs/TASKS.md using the template below.

Task Document Template

# [Product Name] - Implementation Tasks

## Overview

- **Total Epics**: [N]
- **Total Stories**: [N]
- **Total Tasks**: [N]
- **Estimated Scope**: [Brief complexity assessment]

## Task Legend

- [ ] Not started
- [x] Complete
- 🚧 In progress

---

## Epic 1: [Epic Name]

[1-2 sentence description of this feature area]

### Story 1.1: [User Story Title]

**As a** [role], **I can** [action] **so that** [benefit].

**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] [Criterion from PRD]
- [ ] [Criterion from PRD]

#### Tasks

##### Task 1.1.1: [Task Title]

**Files:** `path/to/file1.ts`, `path/to/file2.ts`

**Description:** [What to implement]

**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] [Specific, testable criterion]
- [ ] [Specific, testable criterion]

**Testing:** [How to verify - e.g., "Run `npm test src/auth`" or "Manually verify login flow"]

---

##### Task 1.1.2: [Task Title]

[Continue pattern...]

---

### Story 1.2: [Next Story]

[Continue pattern...]

---

## Epic 2: [Epic Name]

[Continue pattern...]

---

## Implementation Order

Suggested sequence based on dependencies:

1. **[Epic/Story]** - [Why first - e.g., "Sets up core infrastructure"]
2. **[Epic/Story]** - [Why next - e.g., "Depends on auth from #1"]
3. [Continue...]

## Dependencies

| Task | Depends On | Reason |
|------|------------|--------|
| [Task ID] | [Task ID(s)] | [Why] |

## Notes

- [Any assumptions made during decomposition]
- [Risks or areas needing clarification]

Task Quality Checklist

Before finalizing each task, verify:

• Atomic: Single clear objective
• Scoped: 1-3 files, 1-4 hours
• Testable: Clear verification method
• Independent: Can be done without completing other tasks (may depend on interfaces, not implementations)
• Specific: References exact file paths from architecture

Example Task Decomposition

Story: As a user, I can log in with email/password so that I can access my account.

Bad decomposition:

- [ ] Implement authentication

Too vague, touches many files, unclear when done.

Good decomposition:

##### Task 2.1.1: Create auth schema and types
**Files:** `src/lib/types/auth.ts`, `prisma/schema.prisma`
**Description:** Define User model in Prisma schema and TypeScript types for auth flows.
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] User model has id, email, passwordHash, createdAt, updatedAt
- [ ] AuthRequest and AuthResponse types exported
- [ ] `npx prisma validate` passes
**Testing:** Run `npx prisma validate` and `tsc --noEmit`

##### Task 2.1.2: Create login API endpoint
**Files:** `src/app/api/auth/login/route.ts`
**Description:** POST endpoint that validates credentials and returns session token.
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] Returns 200 + token on valid credentials
- [ ] Returns 401 on invalid email
- [ ] Returns 401 on wrong password
- [ ] Rate limited to 5 attempts per minute
**Testing:** `curl -X POST localhost:3000/api/auth/login -d '{"email":"test@test.com","password":"test"}'`

##### Task 2.1.3: Create login form component
**Files:** `src/components/auth/LoginForm.tsx`
**Description:** Form with email/password inputs, validation, and submit handler.
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] Email field with validation
- [ ] Password field with show/hide toggle
- [ ] Loading state during submission
- [ ] Error display for failed attempts
**Testing:** Visual verification at /login, test with valid/invalid inputs

Guidelines

Match granularity to complexity: Simple CRUD might be one task. Complex business logic needs multiple.

Front-load infrastructure: Schema, types, and setup tasks come first.

Identify natural boundaries: API endpoint, UI component, and database migration are often separate tasks.

Make dependencies explicit: If Task B needs Task A's types, say so.

Include the unsexy work: Migrations, error handling, loading states, and edge cases are tasks too.