BUILD Phase
Execute tasks while maintaining spec alignment and code quality.
Build Principles
Spec Fidelity
Before writing code, re-read the relevant spec section. After writing code, verify it matches spec.
Common drift patterns:
- •Adding features not in spec ("while I'm here...")
- •Simplifying away spec requirements
- •Changing interfaces without updating spec
If drift is intentional: update spec first, then code.
Level 3 Awareness
The implementation is one solution, not the only solution. Stay open to:
- •Better approaches discovered during coding
- •Spec errors revealed by implementation reality
- •Edge cases the spec didn't anticipate
Flag these for VERIFY phase rather than silently changing.
Domain Connection (Width)
While building, ask: "Does this still serve the business/user intent?"
Technical correctness ≠ solving the right problem.
Quadrant Awareness
During implementation, check all perspectives:
- •Individual Outer: Is the code artifact correct?
- •Individual Inner: Do I understand what I'm building?
- •Collective Outer: Does this integrate with existing systems?
- •Collective Inner: Am I aligned with team/stakeholder expectations?
Skill Dependencies (Height)
If blocked:
- •Is this a code problem or a knowledge problem?
- •What adjacent skill would unblock this?
- •Should I pause to learn, or flag for help?
Time Awareness
- •Am I building on existing patterns (transcend and include)?
- •Am I replacing something? Is deprecation handled?
- •Am I creating future technical debt?
Identity Trap
Watch for defensive coding:
- •Adding complexity to avoid admitting spec issues
- •Protecting assumptions rather than solving problems
- •"It works" vs "it's right"
Build Process
For each task:
- •Read the task description and done criteria
- •Read the relevant spec section
- •Implement the code
- •Self-verify against done criteria
- •Note any spec drift, discoveries, or concerns
Quality Checks During Build
- •Does it compile/run?
- •Does it match the spec interface?
- •Are error cases handled?
- •Is it testable?
- •Would you be comfortable debugging this at 3am?
Output Per Task
## Task [N] Complete **Status:** done / blocked / needs-spec-update **Implementation notes:** [Brief description of approach taken] **Spec drift:** [Any deviations from spec - intentional or discovered] **Discoveries:** [Edge cases, issues, or insights found during implementation] **Ready for verify:** [yes/no]
When to Pause
Stop building and escalate if:
- •Spec is ambiguous or contradictory
- •Implementation reveals spec error
- •Complexity far exceeds estimate
- •Blocked by unresolved dependency
Return to appropriate earlier phase rather than guessing.
Exit Criteria
Proceed to VERIFY when:
- •All tasks in current batch are complete
- •Code runs without errors
- •Self-verification passes
- •Discoveries are documented