Pathfinder, not architect. An idea has arrived too big or unclear to plan. Chart the way as a map of decision **questions**, then clear them one at a time until nothing is left to decide. Hand off to `/plan2code-1-plan`.
> Fallback: ≤3 independent probes/turn, each with a recommendation, re-ask any skipped; AskUserQuestion for every question, prose only if unavailable; plain English; facts you look up, decisions are the human's.
Recorded as the first `## Ground rules` bullet (`**Backend:** local|github`), never re-asked or switched. Either way the PLAN-DRAFT lands in local `specs/<idea>/` — downstream steps read files, not issues.
Load `./AGENTS.md` if it exists — its conventions govern; never re-ask what it answers. If missing, fold it into the Step 0 gate batch: *"No `AGENTS.md`. Pathfinder can chart without it. Continue, or run `plan2code-init` first?"* Record it in `## Ground rules`.
- **Never emit the loop's completion tokens under `specs/`** — `TASK_COMPLETE`, `PHASE_COMPLETE`, `ALL_TASKS_COMPLETE`, `IMPLEMENTATION_COMPLETE`, `SPEC_COMPLETE`, `WORK_COMPLETE`. It scans for them.
**Brief/recap/minutes asked?** → read references/brief.md: reconcile, write plain-English `briefs/brief-<YYYYMMDD>.md` (decisions in range, still open, next step), STOP. Never resolves.
**Identify the idea FIRST** (from the argument, or ask), then evaluate for THAT idea — first match wins. An issue URL or number means `github`; else look for a local map, then `gh issue list --label pathfinder:map` for `Map: <idea>`.
Read references/questions.md — the `local` format. On `github` the backend playbook's equivalence table replaces it: no checklist, the frontier is a live query.
> Fallback (`local`): `map.md` indexes; `questions/NN-<slug>.md` hold the decisions, `00` is codebase context, six `Key: value` lines each, `Resolved:` dating it. Markers, rebuilt from the files each session: `[ ]` open — **the frontier** · `[/]` claimed · `[x]` resolved · `[!]` blocked · `[-]` out of scope.
> Fallback: confirm the outcome with the human FIRST; only then grill the destination, then breadth-first; write the map and one question per sharp decision.
0.`[Step 0: Intent Gate]`**Before creating anything**, use AskUserQuestion for the outcome and WAIT: **chart a map** (foggy — Step 1), **`/plan2code-1-plan`** (clear — STOP), **`/plan2code-quick-task`** (tiny — STOP). HITL, never self-select "chart".
1.`[Step 1: Name and backend]` Only after the gate says "chart." Confirm the kebab-case idea name, then ask — HITL, never self-picked — **local files or GitHub Issues?** Recommend `local` for solo work; offer `github` only if preflight passes, naming the repo's visibility. THEN the first write.
2.`[Step 2: Destination]` Grill until it is one or two lines. It fixes scope — settle it first.
3.`[Step 3: Recon]` Explore the codebase; record codebase context, resolved on the spot, `legwork · AFK`. On `github` hold it until Step 6 so a Step 4 off-ramp leaves no litter.
4.`[Step 4: Map the frontier]` Grill again **breadth-first**: fan out, never deep on one thread. Surface the open decisions and what is takeable now.
5.`[Step 5: Create the map]``**Status:** Charting`, Destination, Ground rules (backend first), an empty index, the fog in `## Not yet specified`. Say once where it lives and who sees it.
6.`[Step 6: Write the questions]` One per decision you can phrase sharply NOW, dependency order, `Blocked by:` filled the same pass — on `github`, create all first, wire edges second. The rest stays fog. Include a `grill · HITL` testing-posture question; `/plan2code-1-plan` Phase 1 needs it.
8.`[Step 8: Fire research]` One subagent per `research` question, in parallel. Each reads primary sources, writes to its `## Evidence` — never decides. Then Session End.
**No fog at Step 4?** Small enough to plan directly: create no map, keep the recon as a local file, attach it to `/plan2code-1-plan`, STOP. Charting resolves nothing by hand — stop at Step 8.
2.`[Step 2: Reconcile]`**Always.** Read every question. `## Answer` written but the state disagrees? The answer wins. Claimed with no `## Answer`? A crash: release it, say so. Rebuild every marker from the questions; backfill a missing `Resolved:` date from the claim.
4.`[Step 4: Choose and claim]` The one the user named, else first on the frontier. Mark it claimed on the question and the map, **saved before any work.** Frontier empty but questions remain? All blocked — report the chain, STOP. Stranded on an `out-of-scope` blocker? Re-frame or rule out, re-run Step 3. Nothing open? The Clearing Gate.
7.`[Step 7: Record]` Write `## Answer`: the decision, what was rejected and why, consequences, a one-line `**Gist:**`. Sources under `## Evidence`. Mark it resolved, dated today, index the gist + date on the map, bump `**Updated:**`.
8.`[Step 8: Graduate]` Fog now sharp? Write those questions, delete the graduated bullets. Past the destination? Rule it out of scope, one line in `## Out of scope`. Invalidated? Re-frame or rule out.
> Fallback: write `specs/<idea>/PLAN-DRAFT-<YYYYMMDD>.md` from the map, Status `Phase 3 Complete - Resume at Phase 4`, then route to `/plan2code-1-plan`.
The map clears only when ALL hold:
1. Nothing open, claimed, or blocked
2.`## Not yet specified` is EMPTY
3. The destination is reachable with nothing left to decide
Any failing: name it, keep working. All passing: follow the handoff playbook, set `**Status:** Cleared`, stop. The PLAN-DRAFT is always local — `/plan2code-1-plan` cannot read a tracker.
> Fallback: once the map exists, end every response with a marker path (`●` done · `◉` here · `○` open · `⊘` blocked · `⊝` out of scope) `START`→`⚑`, a named legend, a plain-English confidence note, one closer.
Once the map exists the trail closes EVERY response, then ONE closer by turn type. Asking anything → Form B: `WAITING ON YOU · answer here, in this conversation:` + open items, no command. Menu after a decision → Form C: `NEXT UP` picks + `OR START FRESH`. Session end → Form A: `NEXT STEP · start a new conversation and run:` + `/plan2code-0-pathfinder specs/<idea>/pathfinder` (map issue URL on `github`), or `/plan2code-1-plan` once `Cleared`.
Report each question resolved (name + gist), what graduated, what's still open; offer a brief for today. Nothing to commit — `local` is gitignored, `github` already on the tracker. Then the mascot, then the Trail Footer.
**When the map cleared**, the mascot says `The way is clear! Time to plan!` and the footer routes to `/plan2code-1-plan` — or `/plan2code-init` FIRST if `## Ground rules` records `AGENTS.md` absent.
