References

---
name: tech-debt
description: "Track, categorize, and prioritize technical debt across the codebase. Scans for debt indicators, maintains a debt register, and recommends repayment scheduling."
argument-hint: "[scan|add|prioritize|report]"
user-invocable: true
allowed-tools: Read Glob Grep Write AskUserQuestion
model: sonnet
---

## 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.

---

## 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- **Documentation Debt**: Missing docs, outdated docs, undocumented APIs
- **Dependency Debt**: Outdated packages, deprecated APIs, version conflicts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.

Write findings to `docs/tech-debt-register.md` when that register is the
declared output path for this invocation.

Append new findings without overwriting existing entries. Verdict:
**COMPLETE** — scan findings written to the register.

---

## Phase 2B: Add Mode

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

Then use `AskUserQuestion` 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  - `[D] Documentation Debt — missing/outdated docs, undocumented APIs`
  - `[E] Dependency Debt — outdated packages, deprecated APIs, version conflicts`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 use `AskUserQuestion` 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`?"

Append the requested entry as the declared operation of `add`. Verdict:
**COMPLETE** — entry added to the register.

---

## 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.

After the reprioritization decision is approved, update
`docs/tech-debt-register.md` without a second file prompt.

Write the approved ordering. Verdict: **COMPLETE** — register re-prioritized
and saved. If the reprioritization decision is declined, return **BLOCKED**.

---

## 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.

---

## 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

```markdown
## 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