epic-decompose

Imported from LucaDominici/arbiter (examples/python-library/.claude/skills/epic-decompose/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add LucaDominici/arbiter --skill epic-decompose. Copyright stays with the author.

Epic Decompose

Purpose: Break a large feature into independently shippable tasks.

Step 1: Understand the Epic

Read the epic description carefully. Identify:

• The user-visible outcome
• The technical surface area (which layers are affected)
• External dependencies (third-party APIs, migrations, infra changes)
• Risk areas (security, performance, backwards compatibility)

Step 2: Identify Seams

Find natural boundaries where the work can be split:

• Vertical slices — thin end-to-end slices (preferred)
• Horizontal layers — domain first, then API, then UI
• Data migrations — always a separate task, run before or after code

Step 3: Sequence Tasks

Order tasks by:

1. Foundation first (data models, migrations, shared types)
2. Core behavior second (business logic, domain layer)
3. Integration third (API endpoints, event handlers)
4. UI/UX last (if applicable)
5. Cleanup/polish (dead code removal, documentation)

Step 4: Write Task Briefs

For each task:

### Task N: <title>

**Goal:** <one sentence — what does this task deliver?>
**Depends on:** Task N-1 (or "none")
**Acceptance criteria:**
  - [ ] <testable criterion 1>
  - [ ] <testable criterion 2>
**Size:** XS / S / M / L
**Risk:** Low / Medium / High
**Notes:** <edge cases, gotchas, open questions>

Size Reference

Tasks larger than M should be split further.

Output Format

## Epic: <title>

**Summary:** <2-3 sentences>
**Total tasks:** <N>
**Estimated total:** <size>

### Tasks
<task briefs in sequence>

### Open Questions
- <question 1>
- <question 2>