Help

---
name: help
description: Show available SDLC workflows and the current project state.
when_to_use: The user asks for help, what can sdlc do, or which command to run.
license: "PolyForm-Noncommercial-1.0.0 with sdlc Additional Permissions, or sdlc Commercial License (https://github.com/marin-ai-tech/sdlc)"
compatibility: Requires the sdlc CLI (sdlc) from the sdlc package.
allowed-tools: Bash(sdlc *)
metadata:
  author: marin-ai technologies
  version: "1"
  generatedBy: "sdlc 0.23.7"
---

Show the available workflows and the current state.

!`sdlc help --json`
If the output above is missing, run `sdlc help --json`.
!`sdlc status --json`
If the output above is missing, run `sdlc status --json`.

**Harness contract** (applies to every SDLC workflow)
- `sdlc` is the source of truth for lifecycle state. Read it (`sdlc status --change <id> --json`) instead of inferring the stage from the conversation, and re-read artifacts from disk before using them.
- Gates are human decisions. Never run `sdlc approve`, `sdlc reject`, `sdlc waive` or `sdlc tests unlock`, and never edit `.sdlc.yaml`. When a gate needs a person, stop, name the people from the hint (`next.people` in `sdlc next --json`) rather than the role, and give them the exact command to run in their own terminal.
- An answer in chat is never an approval: gate approvals, `track set`, `backlog move`/`drop` and other human decisions happen only as a command the person runs in their own terminal. Offer the choice, explain the consequences, and give the exact command.
- OpenSpec is the specification subsystem: `sdlc openspec <args>` runs the bundled OpenSpec CLI (`list --specs`, `show`, `validate`, `instructions`). Change folders live in `openspec/changes/<id>/`.
- **Change selection**: use the change named in the input. Otherwise run `sdlc status --json`; with exactly one active change use it, with several ask which one. Announce "Using change: <id>".
- **Language**: talk to the person, and write notes and artifacts, in the person's language; when `locale:` is set in `openspec/sdlc.yaml`, use that language. Keep command names, file names, ids and the template headings as they are (sdlc and OpenSpec parse those headings).
- End every workflow with the next step from `sdlc next --json` (the exact command when a person must act).

**Input**: the user's request (a change id, or a description of the work)

Summarize what exists now from the live output. Give a short cheat sheet with the invocation for this tool:
`/sdlc:explore` investigates an idea; `/sdlc:intent` captures it; `/sdlc:spec` designs it.
`/sdlc:plan` plans work; `/sdlc:build` implements; `/sdlc:verify` checks; `/sdlc:review` reviews.
`/sdlc:status` shows state; `/sdlc:next` advances the next available step.
`/sdlc:backlog` plans and starts backlog items; `/sdlc:adopt` prepares an existing project for agents.

Name decisions reserved for the person, including approvals, track changes, and backlog moves or drops.
Explain their consequences and give the exact CLI command for each decision that is currently needed.

<!--
Generated by sdlc 0.23.7 (https://github.com/marin-ai-tech/sdlc).
Required Notice: Copyright (c) 2026 marin-ai technologies (https://github.com/marin-ai-tech/sdlc)
License: PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 (https://polyformproject.org/licenses/noncommercial/1.0.0) with the sdlc Additional Permissions, or a commercial license; see https://github.com/marin-ai-tech/sdlc
-->