Pocock Skills

Pocock Skills

A systematic methodology for AI-assisted engineering. Seven skills that cover the full loop from documentation to diagnosis to delivery.

The Engineering Loop

UnderstandGrill with Docs
DebugDiagnose
RefactorImprove Architecture
ExplorePrototype
PlanTo PRD
Break DownTo Issues
TransferHandoff
Grill with Docs
Documentation
Extract deep domain knowledge through structured interviewing. Build CONTEXT.md glossaries, write minimal ADRs, cross-reference code, and stress-test language with concrete scenarios.
Interview processCONTEXT.md formatADR rulesScenario stress-testing
Diagnose
Debugging
Six-phase systematic debugging methodology. Build a feedback loop, reproduce the bug, form ranked hypotheses, instrument with tagged logs, fix at the correct seam, then post-mortem.
Build feedback loopReproduceHypothesiseInstrumentFix + regressPost-mortem
Improve Architecture
Architecture
Systematic codebase improvement via full glossary, deletion test, HTML exploration reports, parallel interface design with competing constraints, and seam-based testing strategy.
GlossaryHTML reportGrilling loopInterface designSeam discipline
Prototype
Prototyping
Two-branch prototype strategy. Logic branch for state machines and reducers with TUI runners. UI branch with radically different variants and URL-param switching. Always throwaway.
Logic branchUI branchVariant switchingAbsorb or delete
To PRD
Planning
Synthesize a complete PRD from context without an interview. Sketch test seams first, write full user stories, define implementation decisions without file paths, scope explicitly.
Test seam sketchProblem statementUser storiesOut of scope
To Issues
Execution
Convert a PRD into a dependency-ordered issue set using vertical slices. Classify AFK vs HITL. Write agent briefs that are behavioral not procedural, with complete acceptance criteria.
Vertical slicesAFK/HITLDependency orderAgent briefs
Handoff
Handoff
Produce clean handoff documents that reference artifacts by path, redact sensitive info, suggest relevant skills, and include argument hints for tailoring to different contexts.
Temp directoryArtifact referencesRedactionSkill suggestions