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Gemini Executive Synthesis

Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution.

Technical Positioning
Shifting from horizontal (layer-by-layer) to vertical (end-to-end feature) planning to enable earlier validation and reduce architectural risk for solo developers using AI coding tools.
SaaS Insight & Market Implications
This feature proposal addresses a fundamental limitation in current project planning: the generation of "horizontal build plans" where no functional software exists until late in the development cycle. For solo developers leveraging AI coding tools, this delays validation and amplifies architectural risk. The "Vertical MVP Slice mode" (`--mvp` flag, `/gsd mvp-phase`) aims to deliver end-to-end functional slices earlier, enabling continuous validation and reducing the impact of design flaws. This represents a strategic enhancement to improve developer agility and reduce project risk, directly catering to the needs of individual developers seeking faster feedback loops and tangible progress with AI assistance.
Proprietary Technical Taxonomy
Vertical MVP Slice mode --mvp flag /gsd mvp-phase command horizontal build plans technical layer schema, API, auth, UI, wiring solo developer AI coding tools

Raw Developer Origin & Technical Request

Source Icon GitHub Issue May 22, 2026
Repo: open-gsd/get-shit-done-redux
Feature: Vertical MVP Slice mode (--mvp flag + /gsd mvp-phase command)

> Migrated from [gsd-build/get-shit-done#2826](github.com/gsd-build/get-shi... — originally opened by @trek-e on 2026-04-29

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## Pre-submission checklist

- [x] I have searched existing issues and discussions — this has not been proposed and declined before
- [x] I have read CONTRIBUTING.md and understand that I must wait for `approved-feature` before writing any code
- [x] I have read the existing GSD commands and workflows and confirmed this feature does not duplicate existing behavior
- [x] This feature solves a problem for solo developers using AI coding tools, not a personal preference or workflow I happen to like

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## Feature name

Vertical MVP Slice Mode (`--mvp` flag on `plan-phase` + `/gsd mvp-phase` command)

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## Type of addition

Multiple additions:
- New command (slash command or CLI flag): `--mvp` flag on `plan-phase` and new `/gsd mvp-phase` command
- New planning concept: `mode: mvp` phase metadata field
- New workflow: vertical-slice planning strategy in `gsd-planner` agent

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## The solo developer problem

The current G-S-D loop (`discuss → research → plan → execute → verify`) produces **horizontal build plans** — phases that construct the application one technical layer at a time (schema, API, auth, UI, wiring). The result: **nothing works until the final wiring phase**. A solo developer working with an AI agent has zero running software to validate against until multiple phases complete. Architecture mistakes that span...

Developer Debate & Comments

github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `docs/78-feature-vertical-mvp-slice-mode-mvp-flag` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout docs/78-feature-vertical-mvp-slice-mode-mvp-flag ```
trek-e • May 22, 2026
> *This was generated by AI during triage.* ## Triage: needs maintainer review **Category:** enhancement **Summary:** Umbrella PRD for Vertical MVP Slice mode: the --mvp flag on plan-phase plus /gsd mvp-phase command enabling SPIDR-based slicing, TDD gates, UAT framing, and progress visualization for solo developers building MVPs. **Decision needed from maintainer:** scope, priority, sequencing relative to in-flight work.
github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `feat/78-feature-vertical-mvp-slice-mode-mvp-flag` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout feat/78-feature-vertical-mvp-slice-mode-mvp-flag ```

Adjacent Repository Pain Points

Other highly discussed features and pain points extracted from open-gsd/get-shit-done-redux.

Extracted Positioning
Implementation of branch protection rulesets for repository security and integrity.
Establishing robust CI/CD pipeline security, code quality, and governance through enforced branch protection.
Top Replies
trek-e • May 22, 2026
PR-1 merged. Rulesets applied in evaluate mode: - main-protection (id: 16752567) — enforcement: evaluate - release-branches (id: 16752568) — enforcement: evaluate - tag-immutability (id: 16752570) ...
trek-e • May 22, 2026
Reopening — closed in error when merged. PR-3 (re-sync rulesets with corrected context names) and PR-4 (flip to active) still pending.
trek-e • May 22, 2026
PR-3 merged + rulesets re-synced. Live ruleset context names now match the GitHub Actions matrix output (`test (, )`). 1-week evaluate observation window starts now. Monitor with: \`\`\` gh api rep...
Extracted Positioning
Documentation of the Runtime Install Policy Module boundary via an Architectural Decision Record (ADR).
Formalizing architectural decisions to ensure clarity, maintainability, and clear ownership boundaries for runtime installation processes.
Top Replies
github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `feat/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout feat/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr ```
github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `docs/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout docs/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr ```
github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `chore/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout chore/58-add-runtime-install-policy-adr ```
Extracted Positioning
Documentation-Driven Development (DDD) mode for project initialization.
Expanding project initialization methodologies to support documentation as the primary specification artifact, alongside existing requirements-driven approaches.
Top Replies
jnuyens • May 24, 2026
Cherry-pick references and the most surgical diff inline. ## Source commit All v2.44.0 file additions and edits: https://github.com/jnuyens/gsd-plugin/commit/d7e4c6f The two new files are too large...
trek-e • May 24, 2026
> *This was generated by AI during triage.* ## Triage Notes ### Diagnosis (repo state as of 2026-05-24) - Request introduces a new command surface (`/gsd-new-ddd`) and a distinct planning mode, so ...
jnuyens • May 24, 2026
Follow-up from real-project use of `/gsd-new-ddd` (shipped downstream in plugin v2.44.0). Three findings, two of which extend this enhancement and one which is a sibling bug filed separately as (sy...
Extracted Positioning
Completion of the namespace meta-skill architecture to suppress flat skill listings in the system prompt.
Optimizing AI model context window usage and improving skill discoverability by reducing prompt clutter.
Top Replies
github-actions[bot] • May 22, 2026
Branch `feat/69-enh-complete-the-namespace-meta-skill-ar` created. ```bash git fetch origin && git checkout feat/69-enh-complete-the-namespace-meta-skill-ar ```
trek-e • May 22, 2026
> *This was generated by AI during triage.* ## Triage: needs maintainer review **Category:** enhancement **Summary:** Complete the namespace meta-skill architecture by actually suppressing flat ski...
jslitzkerttcu • May 23, 2026
## User workaround: nesting script + command stubs I hit this on a Windows global install (v1.0.0) — 71 top-level skill directories, 31 descriptions dropped every session. Wrote a bash script that ...
Extracted Positioning
Bug fixes for `gsd-sdk query milestone.complete` output generation, specifically `MILESTONES.md` accuracy.
Ensuring data integrity and accurate reporting for project milestones and roadmap tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Market intelligence mapped to Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution..

What is the technical positioning of Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution.?
Based on our AI analysis of the original developer request, its primary technical positioning is: Shifting from horizontal (layer-by-layer) to vertical (end-to-end feature) planning to enable earlier validation and reduce architectural risk for solo developers using AI coding tools.
How is the developer community reacting to Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution.?
Yes, we have tracked 3 direct responses and active debates regarding this specific topic originating from GitHub Issue.
What architecture is tied to Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution.?
Our proprietary extraction maps Vertical MVP Slice mode for project planning and execution. to adjacent architectural concepts including Vertical MVP Slice mode, --mvp flag, /gsd mvp-phase command, horizontal build plans.

Engagement Signals

3
Replies
open
Issue Status

Cross-Market Term Frequency

Quantifies the cross-market adoption of foundational terms like AI coding tools and Vertical MVP Slice mode by tracking occurrence frequency across active SaaS architectures and enterprise developer debates.