gsd-orchestrator

<mental_model> GSD headless is a subprocess you launch and monitor. Think of it like a junior developer you hand a spec to:

1. You write the spec (what to build)
2. You launch the build (gsd headless ... new-milestone --context spec.md --auto)
3. You wait for it to finish (exit code tells you the outcome)
4. You check the result (query state, inspect files, verify deliverables)
5. If blocked, you intervene (steer, supply answers, or escalate)

The subprocess handles all planning, coding, testing, and git commits internally. You never write application code yourself — GSD does that. </mental_model>

<critical_rules>

• Flags before command. gsd headless [--flags] [command] [args]. Flags after the command are ignored.
• Redirect stderr. JSON output goes to stdout. Progress goes to stderr. Always 2>/dev/null when parsing JSON.
• Check exit codes. 0=success, 1=error, 10=blocked (needs you), 11=cancelled.
• Use query to poll. Instant (~50ms), no LLM cost. Use it between steps, not auto for status.
• Budget awareness. Track cost.total from query results. Set limits before launching long runs.
• One project directory per build. Each GSD project needs its own directory with a .gsd/ folder. </critical_rules>

Build something from scratch: Read workflows/build-from-spec.md — write spec, init directory, launch, monitor, verify.

Check on a running or completed build: Read workflows/monitor-and-poll.md — query state, interpret phases, handle blockers.

Execute with fine-grained control: Read workflows/step-by-step.md — run one unit at a time with decision points.

Understand the JSON output: Read references/json-result.md — field reference for HeadlessJsonResult.

Pre-supply answers or secrets: Read references/answer-injection.md — answer file schema and injection mechanism.

Look up a specific command: Read references/commands.md — full command reference with flags and examples.

<quick_reference>

Launch a full build (spec to working code):

mkdir -p /tmp/my-project && cd /tmp/my-project && git init
cat > spec.md << 'EOF'
# Your Product Spec Here
Build a ...
EOF
gsd headless --output-format json --context spec.md new-milestone --auto 2>/dev/null

Check project state (instant, free):

cd /path/to/project
gsd headless query | jq '{phase: .state.phase, progress: .state.progress, cost: .cost.total}'

Resume work on an existing project:

cd /path/to/project
gsd headless --output-format json auto 2>/dev/null

Run one step at a time:

RESULT=$(gsd headless --output-format json next 2>/dev/null)
echo "$RESULT" | jq '{status: .status, phase: .phase, cost: .cost.total}'

</quick_reference>

<exit_codes>

Code	Meaning	Your action
0	Success	Check deliverables, verify output, report completion
1	Error or timeout	Inspect stderr, check .gsd/STATE.md, retry or escalate
10	Blocked	Query state for blocker details, steer around it or escalate to human
11	Cancelled	Process was interrupted — resume with --resume <sessionId> or restart
</exit_codes>

<project_structure> GSD creates and manages all state in .gsd/:

.gsd/
  PROJECT.md          # What this project is
  REQUIREMENTS.md     # Capability contract
  DECISIONS.md        # Architectural decisions (append-only)
  KNOWLEDGE.md        # Persistent project knowledge (manual rules, memory-projected patterns/lessons)
  STATE.md            # Current phase and next action
  milestones/
    M001-xxxxx/
      M001-xxxxx-CONTEXT.md    # Scope, constraints, assumptions
      M001-xxxxx-ROADMAP.md    # Slices with checkboxes
      M001-xxxxx-SUMMARY.md    # Completion summary
      slices/S01/
        S01-PLAN.md            # Tasks
        S01-SUMMARY.md         # Slice summary
        tasks/
          T01-PLAN.md          # Individual task spec
          T01-SUMMARY.md       # Task completion summary