name: Normalize idea description: Normalize an idea into a consistent structure (writes to ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs and updates ideas/<IDEA_ID>/latest). If Open Questions exist, ask the user and finalize with captured answers. argument-hint: "<IDEA_ID> (example: IDEA-0002_controller-tool)" disable-model-invocation: true

Idea Normalizer — Agent Instructions

Invocation

Run this command with an idea folder id:

• /idea-normalizer <IDEA_ID>

Where:

• IDEA_REF = $ARGUMENTS (must be a single token; no spaces)

If IDEA_REF is missing/empty, STOP and ask the user to rerun with an idea id.

Resolve IDEA_ID (required)

Before using any paths, resolve the idea folder:

• Call vf.resolve_idea_id with idea_ref = $ARGUMENTS
• Store the returned idea_id as IDEA_ID
• Use IDEA_ID for all paths, YAML headers, and run log entries

Canonical paths (repo-relative)

Idea root:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/

Inputs:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/idea.md
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_config.md (optional)
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md (optional; created in interactive mode)

Outputs:

• Run folder: docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/<RUN_ID>/
• Latest folder: docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/latest/

Per-idea logs:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/run_log.md (append-only)
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/manifest.md (rolling status)

Directory handling

Ensure these directories exist (create them if missing):

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/latest/
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/
• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/<RUN_ID>/

If you cannot create directories or write files directly, output the artifacts as separate markdown blocks labeled with their target filenames and include a short note listing missing directories.

Inputs

Required

• idea.md at docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/idea.md

Optional

• normalizer_config.md at docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_config.md
• normalizer_answers.md at docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md (if it exists)

If idea.md is missing, STOP and report the expected path.

Context (include file contents)

Use file references to pull content into context:

• Raw idea: @docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/idea.md

• Optional config (only if it exists): @docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_config.md

• Optional prior answers (only if it exists): @docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md

Run identity

Generate:

• RUN_ID as a filesystem-safe id (Windows-safe, no :), e.g.:
  • 2026-01-10T19-22-41Z_run-8f3c

Also capture:

• generated_at as ISO-8601 time (may include timezone offset)

Outputs (required)

Always write a draft first

1. Write a draft to the run folder:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/<RUN_ID>/idea_normalized_draft.md

1. Write the Open Questions list for the run:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/<RUN_ID>/open_questions.md

Final outputs (only after questions are resolved OR if no questions exist)

1. Write final idea_normalized.md to:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/runs/<RUN_ID>/idea_normalized.md

Then also update:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/latest/idea_normalized.md (overwrite allowed)

1. Append an entry to:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/run_log.md

1. Update (or create) the per-idea manifest at:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/manifest.md

Interactive Open Questions Resolution (IMPORTANT)

Goal: avoid leaving key decisions as “Open Questions” when the user can answer them now.

Default behavior

• If Open Questions exist, you MUST ask the user those questions and capture their answers.
• Exception: if normalizer_config.md explicitly sets interactive: false, then proceed without asking and keep Open Questions as-is.

Phase 1 — Draft + ask

After producing idea_normalized_draft.md and open_questions.md:

1. Present the questions to the user as a numbered list.
2. Ask the user to answer in the same numbered format.
3. STOP and wait for the user’s reply.

Also append a run_log entry with:

• Status: NEEDS_USER_INPUT
• Run-ID: <RUN_ID>
• Output draft paths

Phase 2 — Capture answers + finalize

When the user replies:

1. Save the user’s answers to:

• docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md
  • Append a new section with header: ### <ISO-8601> — Answers for <RUN_ID>

1. Produce final idea_normalized.md:

• Move answered items into the correct sections (Constraints, Preferences, Outputs, etc.)
• Remove or reword answered questions from “Open Questions”
• Keep any truly unresolved items in “Open Questions”

1. Write final outputs to runs/<RUN_ID>/idea_normalized.md and latest/idea_normalized.md

2. Append a new run_log entry with:

• Status: SUCCESS (or SUCCESS_WITH_WARNINGS if some questions remain unanswered)
• Notes: include a bullet like Resolved N open questions; remaining M

Definition: Normalization

Normalization means:

• Preserve meaning and scope of the source idea
• Re-express in consistent sections/terminology
• Make implicit structure explicit (inputs, workflow, outputs, constraints, exclusions)
• Record uncertainties instead of guessing

Normalization does NOT mean:

• Adding new requirements
• Choosing tech stacks not stated in the source
• Writing implementation plans, epics, features, or tasks

Scope & Rules

You MUST

• Preserve original intent and scope from idea.md
• Use the required section template below
• Convert free-form text into concise bullets where appropriate
• Mark assumptions explicitly as assumptions
• Capture constraints and exclusions explicitly
• Include “Open Questions” for missing decisions (only those that remain after interactive resolution)

You MUST NOT

• Introduce new scope or features not present in idea.md
• Redesign the system
• Produce backlog items
• Remove meaningful nuance; if unsure, keep detail and place it in the correct section

How to Normalize (Method)

1. Read entire idea.md once
2. Extract key statements into scratch (do not output scratch)
3. Map statements into the standard sections
4. Rewrite in consistent modality:
   • Must / Should / May
5. Handle contradictions conservatively (record in Open Questions)
6. Keep it brief but complete (prefer bullets)

Output Format: idea_normalized.md (Markdown + YAML header)

Write idea_normalized.md with a YAML header followed by required sections.

YAML header (example)

---
doc_type: idea_normalized
idea_id: "<IDEA_ID>"
run_id: "<RUN_ID>"
generated_by: "Idea Normalizer"
generated_at: "<ISO-8601>"
source_inputs:
  - "docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/idea.md"
configs:
  - "docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_config.md (if used)"
  - "docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md (if used)"
status: "Draft"
---

Required sections

Idea (Normalized)

Summary

(1 short paragraph)

Goals

• ...

Target Users

• ...

Primary Use Cases

• ...

Inputs

• ...

Outputs

• ...

Conceptual Workflow

1. ...
2. ...

Core Capabilities

• The system can ...

Constraints

• ...

Preferences

• ...

Out-of-Scope / Exclusions

• ...

Terminology

• Term: meaning

Open Questions / Ambiguities

• ...

Logging Requirements: run_log.md (append-only)

Append an entry with this shape:

### <ISO-8601 timestamp> — Idea Normalizer

- Idea-ID: <IDEA_ID>
- Run-ID: <RUN_ID>
- Inputs:
  - docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/idea.md
  - docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_config.md (if present)
  - docs/forge/ideas/<IDEA_ID>/inputs/normalizer_answers.md (if present)
- Outputs:
  - runs/<RUN_ID>/idea_normalized_draft.md
  - runs/<RUN_ID>/open_questions.md
  - runs/<RUN_ID>/idea_normalized.md (final, if produced)
  - latest/idea_normalized.md (final, if produced)
- Notes:
  - <1–5 bullets on key clarifications or ambiguities>
- Status: NEEDS_USER_INPUT | SUCCESS | SUCCESS_WITH_WARNINGS | FAILED

Manifest updates: manifest.md (per-idea)

If manifest.md does not exist, create it using the template below. If it exists, update ONLY the keys under the Idea section.

Manifest template (if creating new)

# Manifest — <IDEA_ID>

## Idea

- idea_normalized_status: Draft
- last_updated: <YYYY-MM-DD>
- last_run_id: <RUN_ID>
- latest_outputs:
  - latest/idea_normalized.md
- notes:
  - <optional bullets>

Do not add epics/features/tasks here.

Failure handling

If idea.md is extremely short/vague:

• Produce the normalized template anyway
• Put missing items into Open Questions
• Do not invent details