the-sit-down

The Sit-Down: Planning and Spec Drafting

Overview

The Sit-Down is where the Don, Consigliere, and Underboss finalize the Contract — the binding specification for the Heist. This is a "Plan-First" phase where code generation is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Trigger

Invoked after the Don approves the Grilling consensus (The Grilling complete).

The Absolute Rule

NO CODE GENERATION DURING THE SIT-DOWN.

Not pseudocode. Not "example snippets." Not "draft implementations." NOTHING that looks like code. If you catch yourself writing code, STOP. You are violating Omerta Law 5.

The Contract describes WHAT and WHY. Implementation details (HOW) belong in the Work Packages created during Resource Development.

Flow

digraph sit_down {
    "Synthesize inputs\n(Dossier + Grilling + Constitution)" [shape=box];
    "Propose 2-3 approaches" [shape=box];
    "Don approves approach?" [shape=diamond];
    "Draft the Contract" [shape=box];
    "Consigliere review\n(contradiction, ambiguity, completeness)" [shape=box];
    "Consigliere verdict?" [shape=diamond];
    "Don signs Contract?" [shape=diamond];
    "Invoke gangsta:resource-development" [shape=doublecircle];

    "Synthesize inputs\n(Dossier + Grilling + Constitution)" -> "Propose 2-3 approaches";
    "Propose 2-3 approaches" -> "Don approves approach?";
    "Don approves approach?" -> "Propose 2-3 approaches" [label="revise"];
    "Don approves approach?" -> "Draft the Contract" [label="approved"];
    "Draft the Contract" -> "Consigliere review\n(contradiction, ambiguity, completeness)";
    "Consigliere review\n(contradiction, ambiguity, completeness)" -> "Consigliere verdict?";
    "Consigliere verdict?" -> "Draft the Contract" [label="REJECT"];
    "Consigliere verdict?" -> "Don signs Contract?" [label="APPROVE"];
    "Don signs Contract?" -> "Draft the Contract" [label="changes requested"];
    "Don signs Contract?" -> "Invoke gangsta:resource-development" [label="signed"];
}

Process

Step 1: Synthesize Inputs

Gather and internalize all available intelligence:

• Reconnaissance Dossier
• Grilling Consensus or Best Available Consensus
• Project Constitution (Commandments and Negative Constraints)
• Relevant Ledger Entries

Step 2: Propose 2-3 Approaches

Before writing any spec, the Underboss must present the Don with 2-3 distinct viable approaches to the problem. Each approach must cover:

### Approach A: <Name>
<One-sentence description>

**Pros:** <key advantages>
**Cons:** <key trade-offs>
**Risk:** HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW
**Best when:** <conditions that favour this approach>

Rules:

• Approaches must be genuinely distinct — not minor variations of the same idea
• At least one conservative/safe option and one bolder option
• No code. No pseudocode. Architecture and rationale only.

Autonomous Mode: Do NOT ask the human Don for approach selection. Invoke gangsta:don-proxy to select the approach. Proceed to Step 3 with don-proxy's selection without waiting for human input. On REJECT (don-proxy finds no approach above the Constitutional Floor): abort.

Otherwise (default Heist): Present all approaches then ask: "Which approach do you want to proceed with, or would you like adjustments?"

Wait for the Don's explicit selection before writing anything.

• Don selects / approves → proceed to Step 3
• Don requests revision → update proposals, re-present

Step 3: Underboss Drafts the Contract

Using the approved approach as the architectural foundation, draft the formal specification.

The Contract must include:

---
heist: <heist-name>
date: YYYY-MM-DD
status: draft
signatories: []
---

# Contract: <Heist Name>

## Objective
<What is being built, in one paragraph>

## Requirements
### Functional Requirements
1. <FR-001> <Requirement>
2. <FR-002> <Requirement>
...

### Non-Functional Requirements
1. <NFR-001> <Requirement (performance, security, accessibility, etc.)>
...

## Architectural Decisions
<Key decisions from the Grilling consensus, with rationale>

## Grilling Conclusions
### Key Decisions
- <Decision>: <rationale>

### Rejected Alternatives
- <Alternative>: <why rejected>

### Unresolved Objections
- <Objection> — Risk: HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW — Mitigation: <if any>

## Applicable Constitution Rules
### Commandments
- <Commandment text> — Source: insights/<file>

### Negative Constraints
- NEVER <constraint> — Source: fails/<file>

## Acceptance Criteria
<How do we know the Heist is complete? Specific, testable criteria.>

## Out of Scope
<What this Heist explicitly does NOT cover>

## Open Risks
<From the Grilling — any unresolved objections with assessed risk>

Step 4: Consigliere Reviews

Invoke gangsta:the-consigliere for spec integrity review:

• Contradiction scan
• Ambiguity check
• Completeness audit
• Constitution alignment
• Security review

The Consigliere returns a verdict: APPROVE, APPROVE WITH CONCERNS, or REJECT.

If REJECTED: Underboss revises based on Consigliere feedback. Re-review.

Autonomous Mode: When invoked under gangsta:autonomous-mode, see § Per-Phase Interaction Schemas → the-Sit-Down in that skill. Otherwise this skill operates as written.

Step 5: Don Signs the Contract

Autonomous Mode: Do NOT present the Contract to the human Don for approval. Invoke gangsta:don-proxy to review and sign. The Dual-Veto applies: both Consigliere (Step 4) and don-proxy must return non-REJECT. Either REJECT is terminal — there is no tie-break and no re-vote. On dual non-REJECT: sign the Contract and auto-advance to Resource Development. Do not pause for human input.

Otherwise (default Heist): Present the Contract to the Don:

"The Contract for Heist '' is ready for your review. The Consigliere's verdict: [verdict]. [If concerns, list them.] Do you approve?"

The Don may:

• Sign — Contract is binding. Immediately invoke gangsta:resource-development — do NOT ask the Don what to do next, do NOT pause, do NOT prompt for confirmation. Auto-advance is mandatory.
• Request changes — Underboss revises. Back to Step 4 (Consigliere re-reviews).
• Kill the Heist — Abort. No further phases.

Autonomous Mode auto-advance: Under gangsta:autonomous-mode, this auto-advance fires when don-proxy SIGNS and Consigliere returns non-REJECT. Either REJECT is terminal (Dual-Veto).

Update the Contract frontmatter:

status: signed
signatories: [Don, Consigliere, Underboss]

Output

Save to: docs/gangsta/<heist-name>/specs/YYYY-MM-DD-contract.md

Checkpoint

---
heist: <heist-name>
phase: the-sit-down
status: completed
timestamp: <ISO 8601>
next-action: Proceed to Resource Development
artifacts:
  - docs/gangsta/<heist-name>/specs/YYYY-MM-DD-contract.md
---

Omerta Compliance

• Spec is Law: The Contract becomes the binding spec — all future phases must trace to it
• Rule of Truth: All requirements cite Dossier findings or Grilling consensus
• Rule of Availability: Contract and checkpoint saved to files
• NO CODE: Verify zero code blocks in the Contract