bootstrap
Decompose a high-level game vision (pillars + rules + references) into executable epics, then orchestrate the full qq pipeline for each. Use when starting a new project, bootstrapping a prototype from a pitch, or breaking a large initiative into parallel workstreams.
Respond in the user's preferred language (detect from their recent messages, or fall back to the language setting in CLAUDE.md).
Take a high-level game vision and turn it into a structured, executable project — decomposing pillars into epics, then driving each through the qq pipeline.
Arguments: $ARGUMENTS (a description, a file path to a pitch/checklist document, or empty for interactive)
Phase 1: Understand the Vision
Read the input. Extract:
- Pillars — the 3-5 non-negotiable design pillars (e.g., "turn-based PVP", "simple multiplayer", "WWII theme")
- Fragment rules — specific details mentioned in passing (unit types, reference games, feel descriptions)
- Reference games — any games mentioned as inspiration
Then ask about gaps, using these preset directions (ask only what's missing, skip what's already covered):
- Target experience — "What should 10 minutes of gameplay feel like?" (if not clear from input)
- Scope — "Is this a full game or a playable demo/prototype? How many sessions to reach 'done'?"
- Platform & tech — engine, target platform, multiplayer architecture (if not obvious from project context)
- Art direction — placeholder/greybox or specific style? (if relevant)
- Hard constraints — budget, timeline, team size, must-use systems
Max 5 questions total. Make reasonable assumptions for non-critical unknowns.
Phase 2: Decompose into Epics
Break the vision into epics — each a self-contained vertical slice that can go through the full qq pipeline independently.
Rules:
- Each epic should be completable in 1-3 qq pipeline runs (design → plan → execute → test)
- Epics have explicit dependencies: which must finish before which can start
- Flag which epics can run in parallel
- Order by: dependencies first, then core-to-peripheral (get the core loop working before polish)
Output a manifest file and save to Docs/qq/<branch-name>/bootstrap-manifest.md.
Present to user for confirmation. This is the key human checkpoint — user approves the breakdown before automation begins.
After approval, initialize state tracking:
qq-bootstrap-state.py init \
--project . --name "<project-name>" \
--manifest "Docs/qq/<branch-name>/bootstrap-manifest.md" \
--epics "Epic 1 name" "Epic 2 name" "Epic 3 name" ... \
--max-retries 3 --pretty
Then set dependencies and parallel flags for each epic:
qq-bootstrap-state.py set-deps --project . --epic-id 2 --depends-on "1" --pretty
qq-bootstrap-state.py set-deps --project . --epic-id 3 --depends-on "1,2" --pretty
Phase 3: Execute Epics
Check which epics are actionable:
qq-bootstrap-state.py status --project . --pretty
For each actionable epic (pending + all dependencies completed):
- Mark as running:
qq-bootstrap-state.py start-epic --project . --epic-id <N> --pretty - Invoke
/qq:design --autowith the epic description + relevant pillars - The qq pipeline takes over: design → post-design-review → plan → plan-review → execute → test → commit-push
- On pipeline success:
qq-bootstrap-state.py complete-epic --project . --epic-id <N> --pretty - On pipeline failure:
qq-bootstrap-state.py fail-epic --project . --epic-id <N> --reason "<what failed>" --pretty- If script returns
"action": "retry"→ retry the failed pipeline step - If script returns
"action": "paused"→ skip this epic, report to user, move to next
- If script returns
Parallel execution: when status shows multiple actionable epics with parallel: true, dispatch each as a separate subagent using the Agent tool with isolation: "worktree". Each subagent runs the full qq pipeline for its epic.
Between epics: always re-check status to get the next actionable set. Don't hardcode the order — let the state script resolve dependencies.
Phase 4: Integration Check
After all epics complete (or all non-paused ones):
- Run
/qq:teston the combined result - If tests fail, analyze which epic interactions caused issues
- Fix integration problems (this may require a new mini-epic)
- Run
/qq:commit-pushfor the final integrated state - Clear state:
qq-bootstrap-state.py clear --project . --pretty
Resume
If a session crashes or the user resumes later, run:
qq-bootstrap-state.py status --project . --pretty
This shows exactly which epics are completed, which are paused, and which are next. Resume from the first actionable epic.
Notes
- Phase 2 (epic decomposition) is the most important human checkpoint — get this right before automating
- Each epic goes through the full qq quality pipeline (design review, plan review, code review, tests)
- The state script enforces retry limits — Claude cannot forget or miscount
- The manifest in
Docs/qq/is human-readable; the state in.qq/state/bootstrap.jsonis machine-readable - For Jira/Asana integration: after Phase 2, optionally create issues from the manifest using available MCP tools
- This skill is an orchestrator — it invokes other skills, never writes code itself