cr-first-design

name: cr-first-design description: "When implementing new features in Lexer, always design as a Change Request (CR) document in docs/cr/ first before writing any code. Use this skill when asked to add a feature, implement functionality, create a new capability, or build something new." metadata: audience: developers workflow: design-first

What I do

Enforce a CR-first workflow: every new feature must be designed as a Change Request document in docs/cr/ before any code is written. The CR is reviewed and approved by the user, then implementation follows the approved design.

When to use me

Use this skill whenever you are asked to:

• Add a new feature or capability
• Implement new user-facing behavior
• Add new keyboard shortcuts, commands, or configuration options
• Add new CSS custom properties or theme fields
• Add new Tauri commands or IPC endpoints
• Introduce new dependencies or architectural changes
• Change window chrome or layout system behavior

Do NOT use this skill for:

• Bug fixes to existing behavior (unless the fix changes behavior)
• Refactoring with no user-visible change
• Dependency version updates
• Documentation-only changes
• Code formatting

Workflow

User requests a new feature
        |
        v
  Is it a bug fix or trivial change?
  (< 2 files, no new behavior)
        |
    YES |          NO
        v           v
  Fix directly   Write CR document in docs/cr/
                    |
                    v
              Present CR to user for review
                    |
                    v
              User approves?
                    |
                YES |          NO
                    v           v
              Implement      Revise CR based
              the feature    on feedback
                    |           |
                    v       <---+
              Update CR status
              to "Implemented"
                    |
                    v
              Update relevant
              spec docs in docs/

CR Document Format

Filename

docs/cr/{NNN}-{kebab-case-slug}.md

• NNN = zero-padded 3-digit number, sequential after the highest existing CR
• slug = short kebab-case summary

Find the next number by listing existing CRs:

ls docs/cr/

Template

# CR-{NNN}: {Descriptive Title}

**Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD}
**Status:** Draft
**Scope:** {Comma-separated areas: UI, Theme Engine, Keyboard, Config, etc.}

---

## Summary

{1-3 sentences describing the feature and its purpose.}

---

## Motivation

{Why this feature is needed. What user problem does it solve?}

---

## Design

### {Subsection per component/concern}

{Detailed design with tables, code snippets, diagrams as needed.}

**Files:** `path/to/file1`, `path/to/file2`

---

## Files to Modify

| File | Change |
|---|---|
| `path/to/file` | Brief description of change |

## Files to Update (Docs)

| File | Change |
|---|---|
| `docs/NN-slug.md` | What to update in the spec |

---

## Edge Cases

| Scenario | Behavior |
|---|---|
| {edge case} | {expected behavior} |

---

## Future Enhancements

- {Bullet list of out-of-scope follow-ups}

---

## Spec References

- `docs/NN-slug.md` -- {relevance}

Status Values

Optional Metadata Fields

Add to the CR header when relevant:

• Platform: macOS first / cross-platform
• Depends on: CR-NNN

Writing Guidelines

Be specific about files

Every design subsection MUST list affected files with a **Files:** line. The Files to Modify table summarizes all of them.

Include code snippets

Show key structs, function signatures, config formats, CSS properties, and HTML structure. The CR should be detailed enough that implementation is mostly mechanical.

Show new config/theme fields

If adding configuration, show exact TOML format:

[section]
field_name = "value"

Show new CSS custom properties

List them in a table:

Reference existing specs

Always include ## Spec References linking to relevant numbered docs in docs/.

Edge cases are required

The ## Edge Cases table forces thinking about failure modes, platform differences, and feature interactions. Never skip it.

After Implementation

1. Update the CR status from Draft to Implemented
2. Reconcile any deviations between CR and actual implementation
3. Update numbered spec docs listed in ## Spec References and ## Files to Update (Docs)
4. Update docs/PROGRESS.md if relevant items exist

Existing CR Examples

Reference these for style and depth:

• docs/cr/001-gx-border-and-traffic-lights.md — UI + theme + window chrome
• docs/cr/002-global-toggle-shortcut.md — Config + Rust + platform-specific

Project Context