Guided Onboarding

This skill writes one file:

production/review-mode.txt

(review mode config set in Phase 3b).

This skill is the entry point for new users. It does NOT assume you have a game idea, an engine preference, or any prior experience. It asks first, then routes you to the right workflow.

Phase 1: Detect Project State

Before asking anything, silently gather context so you can tailor your guidance. Do NOT show these results unprompted — they inform your recommendations, not the conversation opener.

Check:

Engine configured? Read
```
.claude/docs/technical-preferences.md
```
. If the Engine field contains
```
[TO BE CONFIGURED]
```
, the engine is not set.
Game concept exists? Check for
```
design/gdd/game-concept.md
```
.
Source code exists? Glob for source files in
```
src/
```
(
```
*.gd
```
,
```
*.cs
```
,
```
*.cpp
```
,
```
*.h
```
,
```
*.rs
```
,
```
*.py
```
,
```
*.js
```
,
```
*.ts
```
).
Prototypes exist? Check for subdirectories in
```
prototypes/
```
.
Design docs exist? Count markdown files in
```
design/gdd/
```
.
Production artifacts? Check for files in
```
production/sprints/
```
or
```
production/milestones/
```
.

Store these findings internally to validate the user's self-assessment and tailor recommendations.

Phase 2: Ask Where the User Is

This is the first thing the user sees. Use

AskUserQuestion

with these exact options so the user can click rather than type:

Prompt: "Welcome to Claude Code Game Studios! Before I suggest anything, I'd like to understand where you're starting from. Where are you at with your game idea right now?"
Options:
- ```
A) No idea yet
```
  — I don't have a game concept at all. I want to explore and figure out what to make.
- ```
B) Vague idea
```
  — I have a rough theme, feeling, or genre in mind (e.g., "something with space" or "a cozy farming game") but nothing concrete.
- ```
C) Clear concept
```
  — I know the core idea — genre, basic mechanics, maybe a pitch sentence — but haven't formalized it into documents yet.
- ```
D) Existing work
```
  — I already have design docs, prototypes, code, or significant planning done. I want to organize or continue the work.

Wait for the user's selection. Do not proceed until they respond.

Phase 3: Route Based on Answer

If A: No idea yet

The user needs creative exploration before anything else.

Acknowledge that starting from zero is completely fine
Briefly explain what
```
/brainstorm
```
does (guided ideation using professional frameworks — MDA, player psychology, verb-first design). Mention that it has two modes:
```
/brainstorm open
```
for fully open exploration, or
```
/brainstorm [hint]
```
if they have even a vague theme (e.g., "space", "cozy", "horror").
Recommend running
```
/brainstorm open
```
as the next step, but invite them to use a hint if something comes to mind
Show the recommended path: Concept phase:
- ```
/brainstorm open
```
  — discover your game concept
- ```
/setup-engine
```
  — configure the engine (brainstorm will recommend one)
- ```
/prototype
```
  — throwaway concept build: validate the core idea is fun before designing (1–3 days)
- ```
/art-bible
```
  — define visual identity (uses the Visual Identity Anchor brainstorm produces)
- ```
/map-systems
```
  — decompose the concept into systems
- ```
/design-system
```
  — author a GDD for each MVP system
- ```
/review-all-gdds
```
  — cross-system consistency check
- ```
/gate-check
```
  — validate readiness before architecture work Architecture phase:
- ```
/create-architecture
```
  — produce the master architecture blueprint and Required ADR list
- ```
/architecture-decision (×N)
```
  — record key technical decisions, following the Required ADR list
- ```
/create-control-manifest
```
  — compile decisions into an actionable rules sheet
- ```
/architecture-review
```
  — validate architecture coverage Pre-Production phase:
- ```
/ux-design
```
  — author UX specs for key screens (main menu, HUD, core interactions)
- ```
/vertical-slice
```
  — production-quality end-to-end build to validate the full game loop
- ```
/playtest-report (×1+)
```
  — document each vertical slice playtest session
- ```
/create-epics
```
  — map systems to epics
- ```
/create-stories
```
  — break epics into implementable stories
- ```
/sprint-plan
```
  — plan the first sprint Production phase: → pick up stories with
```
/dev-story
```

If B: Vague idea

Ask them to share their vague idea — even a few words is enough
Validate the idea as a starting point (don't judge or redirect)
Recommend running
```
/brainstorm [their hint]
```
to develop it
Show the recommended path: Concept phase:
- ```
/brainstorm [hint]
```
  — develop the idea into a full concept
- ```
/setup-engine
```
  — configure the engine
- ```
/prototype
```
  — throwaway concept build: validate the core idea is fun before designing (1–3 days)
- ```
/art-bible
```
  — define visual identity (uses the Visual Identity Anchor brainstorm produces)
- ```
/map-systems
```
  — decompose the concept into systems
- ```
/design-system
```
  — author a GDD for each MVP system
- ```
/review-all-gdds
```
  — cross-system consistency check
- ```
/gate-check
```
  — validate readiness before architecture work Architecture phase:
- ```
/create-architecture
```
  — produce the master architecture blueprint and Required ADR list
- ```
/architecture-decision (×N)
```
  — record key technical decisions, following the Required ADR list
- ```
/create-control-manifest
```
  — compile decisions into an actionable rules sheet
- ```
/architecture-review
```
  — validate architecture coverage Pre-Production phase:
- ```
/ux-design
```
  — author UX specs for key screens (main menu, HUD, core interactions)
- ```
/vertical-slice
```
  — production-quality end-to-end build to validate the full game loop
- ```
/playtest-report (×1+)
```
  — document each vertical slice playtest session
- ```
/create-epics
```
  — map systems to epics
- ```
/create-stories
```
  — break epics into implementable stories
- ```
/sprint-plan
```
  — plan the first sprint Production phase: → pick up stories with
```
/dev-story
```

If C: Clear concept

Ask them to describe their concept in one sentence — genre and core mechanic. Use plain text, not AskUserQuestion (it's an open response).
Acknowledge the concept, then use
```
AskUserQuestion
```
to offer two paths:
- Prompt: "How would you like to proceed?"
- Options:
  - Formalize it first
    — Run
    /brainstorm [concept]
    to structure it into a proper game concept document
  - Jump straight in
    — Go to
    /setup-engine
    now and write the GDD manually afterward
Show the recommended path: Concept phase:
- ```
/brainstorm
```
  or
```
/setup-engine
```
  — (their pick from step 2)
- ```
/prototype
```
  — throwaway concept build: validate the core idea is fun before designing (1–3 days)
- ```
/art-bible
```
  — define visual identity (after brainstorm if run, or after concept doc exists)
- ```
/design-review
```
  — validate the concept doc
- ```
/map-systems
```
  — decompose the concept into individual systems
- ```
/design-system
```
  — author a GDD for each MVP system
- ```
/review-all-gdds
```
  — cross-system consistency check
- ```
/gate-check
```
  — validate readiness before architecture work Architecture phase:
- ```
/create-architecture
```
  — produce the master architecture blueprint and Required ADR list
- ```
/architecture-decision (×N)
```
  — record key technical decisions, following the Required ADR list
- ```
/create-control-manifest
```
  — compile decisions into an actionable rules sheet
- ```
/architecture-review
```
  — validate architecture coverage Pre-Production phase:
- ```
/ux-design
```
  — author UX specs for key screens (main menu, HUD, core interactions)
- ```
/vertical-slice
```
  — production-quality end-to-end build to validate the full game loop
- ```
/playtest-report (×1+)
```
  — document each vertical slice playtest session
- ```
/create-epics
```
  — map systems to epics
- ```
/create-stories
```
  — break epics into implementable stories
- ```
/sprint-plan
```
  — plan the first sprint Production phase: → pick up stories with
```
/dev-story
```

If D: Existing work

Share what you found in Phase 1:
- "I can see you have [X source files / Y design docs / Z prototypes]..."
- "Your engine is [configured as X / not yet configured]..."
Sub-case D1 — Early stage (engine not configured or only a game concept exists):
- Recommend
```
/setup-engine
```
  first if engine not configured
- Then
```
/project-stage-detect
```
  for a gap inventory
Sub-case D2 — GDDs, ADRs, or stories already exist:
- Explain: "Having files isn't the same as the template's skills being able to use them. GDDs might be missing required sections.
```
/adopt
```
  checks this specifically."
- Recommend:
  1. /project-stage-detect
    — understand what phase and what's missing entirely
  2. /adopt
    — audit whether existing artifacts are in the right internal format
Show the recommended path for D2:
- ```
/project-stage-detect
```
  — phase detection + existence gaps
- ```
/adopt
```
  — format compliance audit + migration plan
- ```
/setup-engine
```
  — if engine not configured
- ```
/design-system retrofit [path]
```
  — fill missing GDD sections
- ```
/architecture-decision retrofit [path]
```
  — add missing ADR sections
- ```
/architecture-review
```
  — bootstrap the TR requirement registry
- ```
/gate-check
```
  — validate readiness for next phase

Phase 3c: Write Initial Stage File

After confirming the starting path (and before asking about review mode), write the initial stage to

production/stage.txt

. Create the

production/

directory if it does not exist.

Stage mapping:

Path A, B, or C (starting from scratch): write
```
Concept
```
Path D, existing project, engine not configured or only a game concept exists: write
```
Concept
```
Path D, existing project with GDDs but no architecture documents: write
```
Systems Design
```
Path D, existing project with full architecture (ADRs, architecture doc): write
```
Technical Setup
```

Do this silently — no "May I write?" needed for this single-line file.

Say: "I've set

production/stage.txt

[stage]

— this anchors your status line and stage detection."

Phase 3b: Set Review Mode

Check if

production/review-mode.txt

already exists.

If it exists: Read it and show the current mode — "Review mode is set to

[current]

." — then proceed to Phase 4. Do not ask again.

If it does not exist: Use

AskUserQuestion

Prompt: "One setup choice: how much design review would you want as you work through the workflow?"
Options:
- ```
Full
```
  — Director specialists review at each key workflow step. Best for teams, learning the workflow, or when you want thorough feedback on every decision.
- ```
Lean (recommended)
```
  — Directors only at phase gate transitions (/gate-check). Skips per-skill reviews. Balanced approach for solo devs and small teams.
- ```
Solo
```
  — No director reviews at all. Maximum speed. Best for game jams, prototypes, or if the reviews feel like overhead.

Write the choice to

production/review-mode.txt

immediately after the user selects — no separate "May I write?" needed, as the write is a direct consequence of the selection:

```
Full
```
→ write
```
full
```
```
Lean (recommended)
```
→ write
```
lean
```
```
Solo
```
→ write
```
solo
```

Create the

production/

directory if it does not exist.

Phase 4: Confirm Before Proceeding

After presenting the recommended path, use

AskUserQuestion

to ask the user which step they'd like to take first. Never auto-run the next skill.

Prompt: "Would you like to start with [recommended first step]?"

Options:

Yes, let's start with [recommended first step]

```
I'd like to do something else first
```

Phase 5: Hand Off

When the user confirms their next step, respond with a single short line: "Type

[skill command]

to begin." Nothing else. Do not re-explain the skill or add encouragement. The

/start

skill's job is done.

Verdict: COMPLETE — user oriented and handed off to next step.

Edge Cases

User picks D but project is empty: Gently redirect — "It looks like the project is a fresh template with no artifacts yet. Would Path A or B be a better fit?"
User picks A but project has code: Mention what you found — "I noticed there's already code in
```
src/
```
. Did you mean to pick D (existing work)?"
User is returning (engine configured, concept exists): Skip onboarding entirely — "It looks like you're already set up! Your engine is [X] and you have a game concept at
```
design/gdd/game-concept.md
```
. Review mode:
```
[read from production/review-mode.txt, or 'lean (default)' if missing]
```
. Want to pick up where you left off? Try
```
/sprint-plan
```
or just tell me what you'd like to work on."
User doesn't fit any option: Let them describe their situation in their own words and adapt.

Collaborative Protocol

Ask first — never assume the user's state or intent
Present options — give clear paths, not mandates
User decides — they pick the direction
No auto-execution — recommend the next skill, don't run it without asking
Adapt — if the user's situation doesn't fit a template, listen and adjust

start

NPX Install

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