home / skills / yellinzero / aico / implement
This skill helps implement backend tasks using TDD by reading task file, applying constraints, executing steps, and updating status.
npx playbooks add skill yellinzero/aico --skill implementReview the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.
---
name: aico-backend-implement
description: |
Execute backend task implementation with TDD. Read task file, execute steps, verify each, update status.
Use this skill when:
- User asks to "implement task/plan", "start implementation", "execute plan", or "start coding"
- Have task file (story-* or standalone-*) ready to execute
- User asks to "use TDD", "write test first", or "test-driven"
- User asks to "write tests", "add tests", "create tests"
- Fixing bugs (write failing test first)
TDD Iron Law: NO PRODUCTION CODE WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
TDD Cycle: RED (failing test) → Verify fails → GREEN (minimal code) → Verify passes → REFACTOR
Prerequisites:
- Task file in docs/reference/backend/tasks/ (story-* or standalone-*)
- Read constraints.md and design spec before coding
Flow: Read Task → Read Constraints → Execute Steps → Verify → Test → Update Status
---
# Implement
## Language Configuration
Before generating any content, check `aico.json` in project root for `language` field to determine the output language. If not set, default to English.
## Process
0. **Read task file** (MANDATORY):
- Look for task file in `docs/reference/backend/tasks/`
- Accept either:
- **Story-based**: `story-{story-name}.md` with task number
- **Standalone**: `standalone-{task-name}.md` with task number
- User must specify task number (e.g., "implement story-user-api Task 1" or "implement standalone-fix-auth Task 1")
- Both formats contain multiple tasks, just different naming
- If NOT exists or task number not specified → STOP and ask user which task to implement
1. **Read constraints FIRST** (before any code):
- `docs/reference/backend/design-system.md` - Colors, typography, spacing
- `docs/reference/backend/constraints.md` - Tech stack, patterns
- If task references design: `docs/reference/backend/designs/{name}.md`
2. **Execute implementation steps**:
- Read "Implementation Steps" section from task
- Execute each step in order
- Run verification command after each step
- If fail → fix before proceeding
- If pass → continue to next step
3. **After all steps**:
- Run unit tests
- Run build check
4. **Update task status**:
- Update the specific task section in the file
- Mark acceptance criteria checkboxes: `- [ ]` → `- [x]`
- Change Status from `pending` to `completed`
- Update "Progress" section at bottom of file
- Both story-based and standalone files use the same format
5. **Notify completion**:
- Show task file path and task number
- Show completion status
- **Check related Story** (story-based only):
- Read `> **Story**:` field from file header
- If Story exists, check story file at `docs/reference/pm/stories/`
- Update Story's Related Tasks section: mark this task as `- [x]`
- Count total vs completed tasks
- If all tasks completed, show: "✅ All tasks completed! Story {story-name} is ready for acceptance."
- If partial completion, show: "⏳ Progress: X/Y tasks completed"
## Task File Format
See [Task File Template](../task-breakdown/references/task-file-template.md) for complete structure.
Both story-based and standalone tasks use the same file structure - the only difference is the filename:
- **Story-based**: `story-{story-name}.md` (from PM story breakdown)
- **Standalone**: `standalone-{task-name}.md` (from plan/ad-hoc requirements)
**Usage Examples:**
- `implement story-user-api Task 1`
- `implement standalone-fix-auth Task 1`
## Execution Flow
```
Read Task File
↓
Read Constraints (design-system.md, constraints.md, designs/)
↓
Execute Step 1 → Verify → Pass? → Continue
↓
Fail → Fix → Retry
↓
Execute Step 2 → Verify → Pass? → Continue
↓
...
↓
Run Unit Tests
↓
Run Build Check
↓
Update Task File (mark AC completed, update status)
↓
Show Completion Summary
```
## Step Execution Rules
### Rule 1: Follow Constraints Exactly
```tsx
// ❌ Wrong: Ignore design system
<button className="bg-blue-500 text-white">
// ✅ Right: Use design tokens
<button className="bg-primary text-primary-foreground">
```
### Rule 2: Verify Before Proceeding
Each step has a Verify section - MUST run it and confirm expected output before moving on.
### Rule 3: No Skipping
- Execute ALL steps in order
- Do NOT combine steps
- Do NOT skip verification
## Post-Implementation Checklist
1. **Run tests**: `npm test [component]`
2. **Run build**: `npm run build`
3. **Update task file**:
- Mark AC checkboxes: `- [x]`
- Update Status: `completed`
4. **Show completion summary** to user
## Error Handling
| Error Type | Action |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| TypeScript error | Fix type issues, re-verify |
| Test failure | Debug test, fix implementation or test |
| Build failure | Check imports, fix errors |
| Constraint violation | Re-read constraints, align code |
## Updating Task File
After successful implementation, update the task file. Both story-based and standalone files use the same format, so the update process is identical:
**1. Mark Task's Acceptance Criteria as Completed**
```markdown
## Task 1: Define Types
> **Status**: completed ← Changed from pending
### Acceptance Criteria
- [x] Types defined correctly ← Changed from [ ]
- [x] Exported from index ← Changed from [ ]
- [x] No type errors ← Changed from [ ]
```
**2. Update Progress Section**
```markdown
## Progress
- Total tasks: 6
- Completed: 1 ← Changed from 0
- In progress: 0
- Pending: 5 ← Changed from 6
**Next task**: Task 2: Database Schema ← Update this
```
**3. Update Story File Checkboxes (story-based only)**
If this is a story-based task, update the PM story file at `docs/reference/pm/stories/`:
```markdown
### Backend Tasks
- [x] Task 1: Define Types ← Changed from [ ]
- [ ] Task 2: Database Schema
- [ ] Task 3: Repository Layer
```
## Key Rules
- ALWAYS read task file first
- ALWAYS read all constraint files before writing any code
- MUST run verification command for each step
- ALWAYS run tests before marking task complete
- MUST update task file (mark AC, update status)
## Common Mistakes
- ❌ Start without reading task file → ✅ ALWAYS read task file first
- ❌ Skip reading constraints → ✅ ALWAYS read before coding
- ❌ Skip verification → ✅ Run verify command for each step
- ❌ Skip tests → ✅ Run tests before marking complete
- ❌ Forget to update task file → ✅ Update AC and status
---
## TDD Deep Dive
### The TDD Iron Law
```
NO PRODUCTION CODE WITHOUT A FAILING TEST FIRST
```
Write code before the test? **Delete it. Start over.**
### Red-Green-Refactor Cycle
```
RED → Verify Fails → GREEN → Verify Passes → REFACTOR → Repeat
```
#### 1. RED - Write Failing Test
```typescript
test('Button shows loading state when clicked', async () => {
render(<SubmitButton onClick={mockSubmit} />)
await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button'))
expect(screen.getByRole('button')).toBeDisabled()
expect(screen.getByTestId('spinner')).toBeInTheDocument()
})
```
#### 2. Verify RED - Watch It Fail
```bash
npm test -- --watch ComponentName
```
#### 3. GREEN - Write Minimal Code
Write simplest code to pass the test. Don't add features not in test.
#### 4. Verify GREEN - Watch It Pass
#### 5. REFACTOR - Clean Up
Only after green. Keep tests passing.
### Testing Library Query Priority
1. `getByRole` - accessible by everyone
2. `getByLabelText` - form fields
3. `getByText` - non-interactive elements
4. `getByTestId` - last resort
### Test Coverage Requirements
| Component Type | Required Tests |
| -------------- | -------------------------------- |
| UI Component | Render, props, variants |
| Form | Validation, submit, error states |
| Interactive | User events, callbacks |
| Data Display | Loading, error, empty states |
### TDD Red Flags - STOP and Start Over
- Code before test
- Test passes immediately
- Testing implementation details
- `querySelector` everywhere
---
## Example Workflow
```bash
# User: "Implement story-user-profile-2-header"
1. ✓ Read task: docs/reference/backend/tasks/story-user-profile-2-header.md
2. ✓ Read constraints:
- design-system.md
- constraints.md
- designs/user-profile.md
3. ✓ Execute Step 1: Create component file
→ Run: npm run typecheck
→ ✓ Pass
4. ✓ Execute Step 2: Implement header layout
→ Run: npm run dev
→ ✓ Pass
5. ✓ Execute Step 3: Add responsive styles
→ Run: npm run dev (test at different breakpoints)
→ ✓ Pass
6. ✓ Execute Step 4: Add unit tests
→ Run: npm test LoginHeader
→ ✓ 3 tests passed
7. ✓ Run full test suite
→ Run: npm test
→ ✓ All tests passed
8. ✓ Run build
→ Run: npm run build
→ ✓ Build successful
9. ✓ Update task file:
- Marked all AC as completed
- Status: completed
10. ✓ Task completed!
```
## Iron Law
**NO CODE WITHOUT TASK FILE**
This rule is non-negotiable. Before writing code:
1. Task file must exist
2. Acceptance criteria must be defined
3. Implementation steps must be clear
### Rationalization Defense
| Excuse | Reality |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| "It's a simple change" | Simple changes often have hidden complexity |
| "I'll document after coding" | Post-hoc documentation is always incomplete |
| "Tests can wait until later" | Untested code is broken code |
| "I know what needs to be done" | Assumptions without validation cause bugs |
This skill executes backend task implementation using strict Test-Driven Development (TDD) and updates task status files. It reads the specified task file, enforces constraints and design rules, runs each implementation step with verification, runs tests and build checks, then updates the task and related story status.
I locate and read the requested task file in docs/reference/backend/tasks/, then read constraints and any referenced designs before writing code. I follow the task's Implementation Steps exactly: run each step, execute the provided verify command, iterate on failures, run the full test suite and build, and finally update the task file (and related story file when applicable) to mark completion.
What if the task file is missing or task number is not specified?
I will stop and ask you to provide the exact task file name and task number before proceeding.
Do you write production code before tests?
No. I follow the TDD Iron Law: I always write a failing test first, verify it fails, then implement minimal production code to make it pass.