Task Breakdown
Break complex requests into actionable tasks for agent delegation.
Available Agents
| Agent | Skill | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Database | database-patterns | Schema design, migrations, queries, ORMs |
| Backend | node-backend | APIs, business logic, authentication |
| Frontend | react-patterns | React/Next.js UI, state, forms |
| iOS | swift-patterns | SwiftUI apps, native iOS features |
| DevOps | devops-patterns | Docker, CI/CD, deployment, infra |
| Designer | design-patterns | Tokens, styling, themes, animations |
Breakdown Process
- Identify scope - What is being asked?
- List components - Which agents are involved?
- Find dependencies - What must happen first?
- Assess complexity - Simple, medium, or complex?
- Sequence tasks - Order for execution
Component Identification
| If request involves... | Agent(s) needed |
|---|---|
| Data models, schema, tables | Database |
| API endpoints, business logic | Backend |
| Web UI, React components | Frontend |
| Native iOS app | iOS |
| Deployment, containers, CI/CD | DevOps |
| Styling, theming, design tokens | Designer |
| Data + API | Database → Backend |
| API + Web UI | Backend → Frontend |
| API + iOS app | Backend → iOS |
| Full web stack | Database → Backend → Frontend |
| Full iOS stack | Database → Backend → iOS |
| Full stack + deployment | Database → Backend → Frontend → DevOps |
| Styled components | Designer → Frontend |
Complexity Assessment
| Complexity | Indicators | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Single component, clear requirements, <1 day work | One agent, direct |
| Medium | 2-3 components, some unknowns, 1-3 days work | Sequential agents |
| Complex | 4+ components, unclear scope, dependencies, >3 days | Split into multiple tasks |
Task Template
# [task-id]: [short description]
Complexity: [simple/medium/complex]
Platform: [web/ios/both]
Database:
- [ ] [specific task]
Backend:
- [ ] [specific task]
Frontend: (if web)
- [ ] [specific task]
iOS: (if mobile)
- [ ] [specific task]
Designer: (if styling needed)
- [ ] [specific task]
DevOps: (if deployment needed)
- [ ] [specific task]
Dependencies:
- [what depends on what]
Sequencing Rules
- Database first - Schema must exist before backend uses it
- Backend before clients - API must exist before web/iOS calls it
- Designer before Frontend - Tokens/themes before styled components
- Auth early - Authentication often blocks other features
- Core before extras - Basic CRUD before advanced features
- DevOps last - Deployment after features are complete
- Frontend & iOS parallel - Can work simultaneously once API exists
Breaking Down Large Requests
If request is too large (complex):
- Identify the core MVP - minimum viable version
- List enhancements as separate tasks
- Each task should be completable in one session
Example:
User request: "Build a social media app with web and iOS"
Split into:
- task-001: Design system setup (Designer)
- task-002: User registration and auth (Database → Backend)
- task-003: User profile CRUD (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-004: Post creation and feed (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-005: Follow/unfollow system (Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS)
- task-006: Push notifications (Backend → iOS)
- task-007: CI/CD and deployment (DevOps)
...
Common Patterns
For pre-analyzed breakdowns of common features, see references/common-features.md.
Output
Present breakdown to user:
Breaking down: [request]
Complexity: [simple/medium/complex]
Platform: [web/ios/both]
Agents: [database, backend, frontend, ios, designer, devops]
Tasks:
1. Designer: [setup tokens/theme]
2. Database: [schema work]
3. Backend: [API endpoints]
4. Frontend: [web UI] (parallel with iOS)
5. iOS: [native app]
6. DevOps: [deployment]
Sequence: Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS → DevOps
Proceed with task-001?
Common Flows
Web App
Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend → DevOps
iOS App
Designer → Database → Backend → iOS → DevOps
Full Cross-Platform
Designer → Database → Backend → Frontend + iOS (parallel) → DevOps
API Only
Database → Backend → DevOps
UI Refresh
Designer → Frontend