# Research-to-Spec Auto-Pipeline

**Completed**: 2026-01-30
**Branch**: 054-research-spec-pipeline
**Epic**: #652

## Overview

Enable seamless automatic handoff from `/doit.researchit` to `/doit.specit` with full context preservation. When a research session completes, the system prompts the user to continue to specification with all research artifacts pre-loaded, eliminating manual context switching and reducing the risk of losing captured requirements.

## Requirements Implemented

| ID | Description | Status |
|----|-------------|--------|
| FR-001 | Display handoff prompt when researchit completes | Done |
| FR-002 | Show "Continue" and "Later" options | Done |
| FR-003 | Preserve feature directory context | Done |
| FR-004 | Support `--auto-continue` flag | Done |
| FR-005 | Auto-load research artifacts in specit | Done |
| FR-006 | Display artifact summary before prompt | Done |
| FR-007 | Display workflow progress indicator | Done |
| FR-008 | Display resume instructions on "Later" | Done |
| FR-009 | Validate artifacts before proceeding | Done |
| FR-010 | Warn on missing/invalid artifacts | Done |
| FR-011 | Suggest recent feature when no args | Done |
| FR-012 | No data loss on handoff failure | Done |

## Technical Details

This is a **template-only feature** - no Python code changes were made.

### Key Changes

1. **Flag Detection** (doit.researchit.md)
   - Added `--auto-continue` flag detection in User Input section
   - Extracts feature description by removing flags from arguments

2. **Artifact Validation** (Step 5)
   - Checks for required artifacts (research.md, user-stories.md)
   - Generates status table with checkmarks
   - ERROR if research.md missing, WARNING if user-stories.md missing

3. **Handoff Prompt** (Step 7)
   - Progress indicator showing workflow position
   - "Continue to Specification?" prompt with options
   - Resume instructions when "Later" is selected

4. **Context Confirmation** (doit.specit.md)
   - Shows "Research Context Loaded" message when artifacts found
   - Suggests recent feature when no arguments provided

## Files Changed

| File | Changes |
|------|---------|
| `templates/commands/doit.researchit.md` | Flag detection, Step 5 (validation), Step 6 (summary), Step 7 (handoff) |
| `templates/commands/doit.specit.md` | Context confirmation, recent feature suggestion |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/spec.md` | Feature specification |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/plan.md` | Implementation plan |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/tasks.md` | Task breakdown |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/quickstart.md` | Implementation guide |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/test-report.md` | Test results |
| `specs/054-research-spec-pipeline/review-report.md` | Review results |

## Testing

- **Automated tests**: N/A (template-only feature)
- **Manual tests**: 8/8 passed
  - Handoff prompt with options
  - Artifact status table
  - Auto-continue flag
  - Resume instructions
  - Progress indicator
  - Artifact validation
  - Context confirmation
  - Recent feature suggestion

## Related Issues

- Epic: #652 - Research-to-Spec Auto-Pipeline
- Features:
  - #653 - Prompted Handoff After Research (US1)
  - #654 - Auto-Continue Flag (US2)
  - #655 - Context Preservation Across Sessions (US3)
  - #656 - Workflow Progress Indicator (US4)

## User Stories

| Story | Priority | Description |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| US1 | P1 | Prompted Handoff After Research |
| US2 | P2 | Auto-Continue Flag |
| US3 | P2 | Context Preservation Across Sessions |
| US4 | P3 | Workflow Progress Indicator |
