Pwrl review scope

pwrl-review-scope — Scope Validation

Purpose: Entry point to the review workflow. Validates that reviewed code matches the original requirements and detects scope creep (unrelated changes).

Interaction Method

• Use the platform's ask_user_question extension for all user-facing decisions.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Show file categorization and scope verdict clearly before requesting approval.
• If input is empty, ask: "What branch or PR would you like to review?"
• Do not proceed to analysis or reporting — this skill only validates scope.

Output: Scope Artifact

After completing the workflow, produce a scope artifact. See artifact-schemas.md for the complete schema.

The artifact must include the user's chosen interaction mode:

scope_id: YYYY-MM-DD-NNN-scope
unit_id: [from task or plan]
branch_name: [git branch under review]
interactionMode: detailed | smart | yolo

This artifact is passed to pwrl-review-prepare (next phase).

Workflow

Step 0: Select Interaction Mode

Ask the user to choose their engagement level for this review. Use the platform's ask_user_question extension (or equivalent) to present the following three options:

Question: "How would you like to proceed with this review?"

Options:

• Detailed (Step-by-Step) — Review and confirm at each phase transition (Scope → Prepare → Analyze → Report → Sync); inspect generated artifacts; approval gates at each transition. Slower but maximum control. Best for complex reviews, unfamiliar code, and high-stakes changes.
• Smart (Risk-gated automation) — Phases run automatically; pause only when the next phase produces a HIGH-risk operation (e.g., posting a formal GitHub review, labeling a PR with a release-blocker). v1 simplifies this to a single confirmation prompt at workflow start.
• Yolo (Full Automation) — Every phase runs automatically; only the final report is shown. Fastest. Best for routine, well-understood reviews.

Store the selection in the scope artifact (replacing the placeholder in the schema above):

interactionMode: detailed | smart | yolo

Cross-phase propagation: The interactionMode value flows into pwrl-review-prepare, pwrl-review-analyze, pwrl-review-report, and pwrl-review-sync-status artifacts. Each downstream phase reads the value and adjusts its confirmation behavior:

• Detailed: Pause at every phase transition; show generated artifacts; require explicit approval.
• Smart: Run phases automatically; pause only at HIGH-risk operations.
• Yolo: Run every phase automatically; report only the final outcome.

Future refinement: In Yolo mode, pwrl-review-report should auto-approve the review unless CRITICAL issues are found (currently it always asks). This behavior change is out of scope for plan 2026-06-29-001; see docs/learnings/pattern/interaction-mode-three-mode-propagation-2026-06-29.md §"Future Refinements".

Step 1: Identify Source & Requirements

1. Detect input: Ask for branch name, PR number, or unit ID
2. Find unit context: Search docs/tasks/ for matching task file
3. Extract requirements: Read acceptance criteria from task or description
4. If no context found: Ask user to describe the unit requirements

Step 2: Extract Modified Files

1. Get branch info: Use git to list all modified files in the branch
2. For each file: Determine relative path and type (code, test, doc, config)
3. Build list: Organize by category

Step 3: Categorize Files

For each modified file, ask: "Is this file required (directly implements requirement), supporting (enables it), or unrelated?"

• Required: Directly referenced in acceptance criteria
• Supporting: Tests, docs, config, exports necessary for requirement
• Unrelated: Different module, feature, or system

Red flags for unrelated:

• Changes in auth, database, payment systems (if not mentioned)
• New external dependencies added
• Database migrations not specified
• Refactoring of core/shared modules
• Modifying more than 2-3 "other" files

Step 4: Scope Verdict

Determine scope status:

Verdict	Condition	Action
on-target	All required files changed; no unrelated changes	Proceed with confidence
justified	Unrelated changes but necessary (bugfix, import)	Document reason; proceed with note
creep-detected	Multiple unrelated changes not explained	Flag severity; ask user for clarification

Severity levels (if creep):

• Low: 1-2 unrelated files with minor changes
• Medium: 3+ unrelated files or 1 major unrelated change
• High: Changes across multiple core systems or 5+ unrelated files

Step 5: Request User Approval

Display analysis:

════════════════════════════════════════════════════
         SCOPE VALIDATION ANALYSIS
════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Unit:              [Unit ID or description]
Requirements:      [1-2 line summary]

Required Files:    3 files
Supporting Files:  2 files
Questioned Files:  1 file

Verdict:           [on-target/justified/creep-detected]
Confidence:        [90%]
════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Ask user: "Does this scope look correct? Approve to proceed with analysis."

• Yes, Approve: Set user_approval: true, generate artifact, done
• No, Needs Clarification: Ask which files need explanation, update analysis
• Abort: Return error; suggest returning to implementation

Step 6: Generate Artifact

Emit the scope artifact (YAML + markdown) to be consumed by pwrl-review-prepare.

Error Handling & Testing

See error-and-testing.md for comprehensive error recovery strategies, prevention tactics, and test coverage expectations for this phase.

• ✅ Creep-detected (2 required, 5 questioned across multiple modules)

Edge Cases:

• ✅ No requirements found (bootstrap from user)
• ✅ Git access fails (manual file entry)
• ✅ Single-file change (minimal scope)
• ✅ User rejects scope (error handling)
• ✅ Mixed verdict (re-prompt for clarification)

Output Validation Tests:

• ✅ Artifact structure (all required fields present)
• ✅ YAML frontmatter valid
• ✅ Next skill ready (artifact passed correctly)