/task-breakdown

name: task-breakdown
description: Break down complex development requests into discrete, actionable tasks. Use when analyzing new features, integrations, refactoring requests, or any multi-component work that needs to be sequenced across agents. Provides patterns for identifying components, dependencies, and complexity.

Task Breakdown

Break complex requests into actionable tasks for agent delegation.

Available Agents

| Agent | Skill | Responsibilities | |-------|-------|------------------| | **Database** | database-patterns | Schema design, migrations, queries, ORMs | | **Backend** | node-backend | APIs, business logic, authentication | | **Frontend** | react-patterns | React/Next.js UI, state, forms | | **iOS** | swift-patterns | SwiftUI apps, native iOS features | | **DevOps** | devops-patterns | Docker, CI/CD, deployment, infra | | **Designer** | design-patterns | Tokens, styling, themes, animations |

Breakdown Process

1. **Identify scope** - What is being asked? 2. **List components** - Which agents are involved? 3. **Find dependencies** - What must happen first? 4. **Assess complexity** - Simple, medium, or complex? 5. **Sequence tasks** - Order for execution

Component Identification

| If request involves... | Agent(s) needed | |------------------------|-----------------| | Data models, schema, tables | Database | | API endpoints, business logic | Backend | | Web UI, React components | Frontend | | Native iOS app | iOS | | Deployment, containers, CI/CD | DevOps | | Styling, theming, design tokens | Designer | | Data + API | Database → Backend | | API + Web UI | Backend → Frontend | | API + iOS app | Backend → iOS | | Full web stack | Database → Backend → Frontend | | Full iOS stack | Database → Backend → iOS | | Full stack + deployment | Database → Backend → Frontend → DevOps | | Styled components | Designer → Frontend |

Complexity Assessment

| Complexity | Indicators | Approach | |------------|------------|----------| | **Simple** | Single component, clear requirements, <1 day work | One agent, direct | | **Medium** | 2-3 components, some unknowns, 1-3 days work | Sequential agents | | **Complex** | 4+ components, unclear scope, dependencies, >3 days | Split into multiple tasks |

Task Template

# [task-id]: [short description]

Complexity: [simple/medium/complex]
Platform: [web/ios/both]

Database:
- [ ] [specific task]

Backend:
- [ ] [specific task]

Frontend: (if web)
- [ ] [specific task]

iOS: (if mobile)
- [ ] [specific task]

Designer: (if styling needed)
- [ ] [specific task]

DevOps: (if deployment needed)
- [ ] [specific task]

Dependencies:
- [what depends on what]

Sequencing Rules

1. **Database first** - Schema must exist before backend uses it 2. **Backend before clients** - API must exist before web/iOS calls it 3. **Designer before Frontend** - Tokens/themes before styled components 4. **Auth early** - Authentication often blocks other features 5. **Core before extras** - Basic CRUD before advanced features 6. **DevOps last** - Deployment after features are complete 7. **Frontend & iOS parallel** - Can work simultaneously once API exists

Breaking Down Large Requests

If request is too large (complex):

1. Identify the **core MVP** - minimum viable version 2. List **enhancements** as separate tasks 3. Each task should be completable in one session

**Example:**

User request: "Build a social media app with web and iOS"

Split into:
- task-001: Design system setup (Designer)
- task-002: User registration and auth (Database → Backend)
- task-003: User profile CRUD (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-004: Post creation and feed (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-005: Follow/unfollow system (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-006: Push notifications (Backend → iOS)
- task-007: CI/CD and deployment (DevOps)
...

Common Patterns

For pre-analyzed breakdowns of common features, see `references/common-features.md`.

Output

Present breakdown to user:

Breaking down: [request]

Complexity: [simple/medium/complex]
Platform: [web/ios/both]
Agents: [database, backend, frontend, ios, designer, devops]

Tasks:
1. Designer: [setup tokens/theme]
2. Database: [schema work]
3. Backend: [API endpoints]
4. Frontend: [web UI] (parallel with iOS)
5. iOS: [native app]
6. DevOps: [deployment]

Sequence: Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS → DevOps

Proceed with task-001?

Common Flows

Web App

Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend → DevOps

iOS App

Designer → Database → Backend → iOS → DevOps

Full Cross-Platform

Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS (parallel) → DevOps

API Only

Database → Backend → DevOps

UI Refresh

Designer → Frontend