prepare-mode

name: prepare-mode description: Investigates and creates a preparation roadmap to accomplish a task. Use when you need a detailed roadmap for a complex objective.

Prepare mode

GOAL: Transform vague objectives into actionable, verified preparation roadmaps following standard preparation protocols.

WHEN: Invoke this skill when the user requests a roadmap, investigation, or strategic approach for a complex task.

NOTE: This skill operates strictly in read-only mode to ensure safety during investigation.

Efficiency directives

• Optimize all operations for agent, token, and context efficiency
• Prefer reading over writing during the preparation phase
• Batch information gathering to reduce tool calls
• Target only relevant files
• Reduce token usage

Confirmation directives

After presenting the preparation roadmap, use the ask_user tool to offer 4 options:

1. Review plan - Invoke the review-mode skill for a technical audit
2. Quick build - Invoke the build-mode skill for rapid execution
3. Implement - Invoke the implement-mode skill for thorough execution
4. Abort - Cancel the workflow and wait for the next instruction

Make option 1 the default response. Assume "Review plan" if the user gives an empty response.

Workflow

Step 1: Enforce read-only

• Invoke the readonly-mode skill.
• Capture status (SUCCESS, WARN, ERROR).
• Handle status:
  • ERROR: Halt and report.
  • SUCCESS/WARN: Continue.

Step 2: Investigate

• Conduct a thorough audit of the request and codebase.
• Contextual audit: Read relevant files, documentation, and logs.
• Dependency mapping: Identify logical dependencies and risks.
• Constraint verification: Verify environment limits and policies.

Step 3: Draft roadmap

• Create a roadmap following the 8-part structure:
  1. Objective: Concise statement of the goal.
  2. Pre-flight checklist: Verification steps before starting.
  3. Strategic approach: High-level method.
  4. Actionable steps: Numbered list of specific operations.
  5. Verification roadmap: How to prove the work's correctness.
  6. Risk assessment: Potential pitfalls and solutions.
  7. Resource requirements: Tools, files, or permissions needed.

Step 4: Analyze & refine

• Perform Multi-perspective analysis:
  • The Architect: Structural integrity and scalability.
  • The Security Engineer: Safety, permissions, and vulnerabilities.
  • The Implementer: Practicality, efficiency, and clarity.
• Adjust the roadmap based on analysis results.
• Verify compliance with kbase/agent-protocols.md.

Step 5: Present

• Deliver the final preparation roadmap to the user for approval.

Step 6: Confirmation

• Use the ask_user tool for confirmation with 4 options.
• Await user response before further action.
• DONE

Preparation roadmap format

Preparation roadmap:

1. Objective: [Goal]
2. Pre-flight checklist: [Steps]
3. Strategic approach: [Method]
4. Actionable steps: [List]
5. Verification roadmap: [Proof]
6. Risk assessment: [Pitfalls]
7. Resource requirements: [Needs]

Output

Files created/modified:

• None (Read-only operation).
• .gemini_readonly - Ensured at the start.

Status communication:

First line of output indicates user's decision:

• REVIEW: user wants to review the plan - user chose review
• BUILD: user wants to build the plan - user chose quick build
• IMPLEMENT: user wants to implement the plan - user chose implementation
• ABORT: user cancelled workflow - user aborted process

Following lines: complete preparation roadmap text