tech-debt

Codex-native operating rules

Keep repository source artifacts read-only during analysis and cite concrete file evidence for every finding. Ask at most one user question per turn and wait for the answer. The debt register may be written only after its exact changeset and path are approved. Do not fix source debt unless the user gives separate explicit authorization.

Phase 1: Parse Subcommand

Determine the mode from the argument:

• scan — Scan the codebase for tech debt indicators
• add — Add a new tech debt entry manually
• prioritize — Re-prioritize the existing debt register
• report — Generate a summary report of current debt status

If no subcommand is provided, output usage and stop. Verdict: FAIL — missing required subcommand.

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Phase 2A: Scan Mode

Search the codebase for debt indicators:

• TODO comments (count and categorize)
• FIXME comments (these are bugs disguised as debt)
• HACK comments (workarounds that need proper solutions)
• @deprecated markers
• Duplicated code blocks (similar patterns in multiple files)
• Files over 500 lines (potential god objects)
• Functions over 50 lines (potential complexity)

Categorize each finding:

• Architecture Debt: Wrong abstractions, missing patterns, coupling issues
• Code Quality Debt: Duplication, complexity, naming, missing types
• Test Debt: Missing tests, flaky tests, untested edge cases
• Documentation Debt: Missing docs, outdated docs, undocumented APIs
• Dependency Debt: Outdated packages, deprecated APIs, version conflicts
• Performance Debt: Known slow paths, unoptimized queries, memory issues

Present the findings to the user.

Ask: "May I write these findings to docs/tech-debt-register.md?"

If yes, update the register (append new entries, do not overwrite existing ones). Verdict: COMPLETE — scan findings written to register.

If no, stop here. Verdict: BLOCKED — user declined write.

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Phase 2B: Add Mode

Ask the user for the description, affected files, and impact if left unfixed (plain text prompts).

Then ask one concise question and wait for the answer to collect the category:

• Prompt: "What category does this tech debt belong to?"
• Options:
  • [A] Architecture Debt — wrong abstractions, missing patterns, coupling issues
  • [B] Code Quality Debt — duplication, complexity, naming, missing types
  • [C] Test Debt — missing tests, flaky tests, untested edge cases
  • [D] Documentation Debt — missing/outdated docs, undocumented APIs
  • [E] Dependency Debt — outdated packages, deprecated APIs, version conflicts
  • [F] Performance Debt — known slow paths, memory issues, unoptimized queries

Then ask one concise question and wait for the answer to collect the estimated fix effort:

• Prompt: "What is the estimated effort to fix this item?"
• Options:
  • [A] S — Small (under 1 day)
  • [B] M — Medium (1–3 days)
  • [C] L — Large (3–7 days)
  • [D] XL — Extra Large (over 1 week)

Present the complete new entry to the user.

Ask: "May I append this entry to docs/tech-debt-register.md?"

If yes, append the entry. Verdict: COMPLETE — entry added to register.

If no, stop here. Verdict: BLOCKED — user declined write.

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Phase 2C: Prioritize Mode

Read the debt register at docs/tech-debt-register.md.

Score each item by: (impact_if_unfixed × frequency_of_encounter) / fix_effort

Re-sort the register by priority score and recommend which items to include in the next sprint.

Present the re-prioritized register to the user.

Ask: "May I write the re-prioritized register back to docs/tech-debt-register.md?"

If yes, write the updated file. Verdict: COMPLETE — register re-prioritized and saved.

If no, stop here. Verdict: BLOCKED — user declined write.

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Phase 2D: Report Mode

Read the debt register. Generate summary statistics:

• Total items by category
• Total estimated fix effort
• Items added vs resolved since last report
• Trending direction (growing / stable / shrinking)

Flag any items that have been in the register for more than 3 sprints.

Output the report to the user. This mode is read-only — no files are written. Verdict: COMPLETE — debt report generated.

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Phase 3: Next Steps

• Run $sprint-plan to schedule high-priority debt items into the next sprint.
• Run $tech-debt report at the start of each sprint to track debt trends over time.

Debt Register Format

## Technical Debt Register
Last updated: [Date]
Total items: [N] | Estimated total effort: [T-shirt sizes summed]

| ID | Category | Description | Files | Effort | Impact | Priority | Added | Sprint |
|----|----------|-------------|-------|--------|--------|----------|-------|--------|
| TD-001 | [Cat] | [Description] | [files] | [S/M/L/XL] | [Low/Med/High/Critical] | [Score] | [Date] | [Sprint to fix or "Backlog"] |

Rules

• Tech debt is not inherently bad — it is a tool. The register tracks conscious decisions.
• Every debt entry must explain WHY it was accepted (deadline, prototype, missing info)
• "Scan" should run at least once per sprint to catch new debt
• Items older than 3 sprints without action should either be fixed or consciously accepted with a documented reason