capture-request

Capture Request

Captures user intent as structured work requests. Does not execute work.

This skill implements intent separation: capture what needs to be done, then hand off to the work-loop for execution.

Purpose

• Accept raw user input describing work
• Detect if input contains multiple disjoint ideas
• Split into separate requests when appropriate
• Group only when dependency exists
• Write structured request files to queue

Constraints

CRITICAL: This skill NEVER:

• Executes code
• Makes repository changes (beyond writing request files)
• Performs speculative planning
• Implements features

This skill ONLY:

• Captures intent
• Structures requests
• Writes to do-work/requests/

Request Contract

Every request must follow this schema:

# Request: <short descriptive title>

## Intent
What outcome is desired. Plain language.

## Context
Relevant files, constraints, assumptions.
Explicit exclusions.

## Tasks
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3

## Done When
Objective completion criteria.

Workflow

1. Parse User Input

When user provides work description:

1. Identify the core intent(s)
2. Check for multiple disjoint ideas
3. Determine dependencies between ideas

2. Splitting Rules

Split into SEPARATE requests when:

• UI change AND database change (different domains)
• Unrelated features mentioned together
• No execution dependency between items

Keep as SINGLE request when:

• Sequential dependency exists (B requires A)
• Tightly coupled changes (model + its tests)
• User explicitly groups them

3. Handle Ambiguity

If input is ambiguous:

• Ask ONE clarification question
• Then proceed with best interpretation
• Do not over-clarify

4. Write Request Files

For each request:

1. Generate filename: YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS-slug.md
2. Write to do-work/requests/
3. Confirm to user what was captured

Directory Setup

If directories don't exist, create them:

do-work/
├── requests/    # Pending work
├── in-progress/ # Currently executing
├── archive/     # Completed
└── errors/      # Failed

Examples

Example 1: Single Request

User says:

"Add a dark mode toggle to the settings page"

Output: do-work/requests/20260128-143022-dark-mode-toggle.md

# Request: Add dark mode toggle to settings

## Intent
Add a user-facing toggle in the settings page that enables dark mode throughout the application.

## Context
- Settings page exists at src/pages/Settings.tsx
- No existing theme system
- Should persist preference (localStorage acceptable)

## Tasks
- Add theme context/state management
- Create toggle component in Settings
- Apply dark theme styles to existing components
- Persist preference across sessions

## Done When
- Toggle visible in settings
- Clicking toggle switches between light/dark
- Preference persists after page reload
- All existing pages respect theme

Example 2: Split Requests

User says:

"Add user authentication and also fix that bug where the footer overlaps on mobile"

Output: TWO files

do-work/requests/20260128-143022-user-auth.md:

# Request: Add user authentication

## Intent
Implement user login/logout functionality.

## Context
- No existing auth system
- Backend API exists at /api/*

## Tasks
- Add login page
- Add auth state management
- Protect authenticated routes
- Add logout functionality

## Done When
- Users can log in with credentials
- Protected routes redirect to login
- Session persists across page loads
- Users can log out

do-work/requests/20260128-143023-footer-mobile-fix.md:

# Request: Fix footer overlap on mobile

## Intent
Fix visual bug where footer overlaps content on mobile viewports.

## Context
- Bug reported on screens < 768px
- Footer component at src/components/Footer.tsx

## Tasks
- Identify CSS causing overlap
- Fix positioning/spacing
- Verify across mobile breakpoints

## Done When
- Footer does not overlap content on any mobile size
- Desktop layout unchanged

Example 3: Grouped Request (Dependency)

User says:

"Create a User model and then add an API endpoint to fetch users"

Output: SINGLE file (endpoint depends on model)

# Request: Create User model and fetch endpoint

## Intent
Add User data model and API endpoint to retrieve users.

## Context
- Database: PostgreSQL
- ORM: Prisma
- API framework: Express

## Tasks
- Define User model in Prisma schema
- Run migration
- Create GET /api/users endpoint
- Add basic error handling

## Done When
- User table exists in database
- GET /api/users returns list of users
- Empty list returned when no users exist

Output Format

After capturing, respond:

Captured X request(s):

1. do-work/requests/20260128-143022-dark-mode-toggle.md
   Intent: Add dark mode toggle to settings

2. do-work/requests/20260128-143023-footer-fix.md
   Intent: Fix footer overlap on mobile

Run `/work-loop` to begin processing.

Integration

This skill works with:

• /work-loop - Processes the request queue
• /thunderdome - Shows overall project status

Typical workflow:

1. /capture-request - Capture what needs to be done
2. /work-loop - Execute the work
3. /thunderdome debrief - Verify and close session