--- title: "feat(resolve-pr-feedback): cross-invocation cluster analysis" type: feat status: completed date: 2026-04-01 origin: docs/brainstorms/2026-04-01-cross-invocation-cluster-analysis-requirements.md --- # Cross-Invocation Cluster Analysis for resolve-pr-feedback ## Overview Replace the dead verify-loop re-entry gate signal in the resolve-pr-feedback skill with a cross-invocation awareness signal that detects recurring feedback patterns across multiple review rounds on the same PR. The change touches three files: the `get-pr-comments` script (data), the SKILL.md (orchestration), and the pr-comment-resolver agent (cluster handling). ## Problem Frame The skill's cluster analysis has two gates: volume (3+ items) and verify-loop re-entry (2nd+ pass within same invocation). The verify-loop gate is dead — automated reviewers post minutes after push, but verify runs seconds after. This leaves volume as the only gate, which misses the highest-value scenario: a reviewer posts 1-2 threads per round about the same class of problem across multiple rounds. Cross-invocation awareness detects this pattern by checking for resolved threads alongside new ones — evidence of multi-round review. (see origin: `docs/brainstorms/2026-04-01-cross-invocation-cluster-analysis-requirements.md`) ## Requirements Trace - R1. Cross-invocation awareness signal replaces verify-loop re-entry gate - R2. Prior resolutions + new feedback = re-entry signal, even with 1 new item - R3. Volume gate (3+) unchanged, OR'd with cross-invocation signal - R4. Clustering input includes new + prior threads (bounded to last N) - R5. Previously-resolved threads participate in category assignment and spatial grouping - R6. Three-mode resolver assessment: band-aid (redo), correct-but-incomplete (investigate siblings), sound-and-independent (context only) - R7. Cluster brief gains `` element with metadata - R8. Within-session verify loop subsumes into cross-invocation signal - R9. Zero additional GraphQL calls — broaden existing query's jq filter - R10. Bounded lookback: last N resolved threads (simplified from "rounds" — see Key Technical Decisions) ## Scope Boundaries - No persistent state files or `.context/` storage - No changes to the volume gate threshold or spatial grouping rules - No changes to standard (non-cluster) thread handling - No new scripts — extend the existing `get-pr-comments` script ## Context & Research ### Relevant Code and Patterns - `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/SKILL.md` — skill orchestration, steps 1-9 - `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/scripts/get-pr-comments` — GraphQL query + jq filter; already fetches resolved threads in the query but drops them in jq (`isResolved == false`) - `plugins/compound-engineering/agents/workflow/ce-pr-comment-resolver.agent.md` — resolver agent with standard and cluster modes ### Institutional Learnings - **Script-first architecture** (`docs/solutions/skill-design/script-first-skill-architecture.md`): Classification and filtering logic must live in the script, not in SKILL.md instructions. The script should output pre-computed analysis so the model receives structured decisions, not raw data to classify. 60-75% token savings. - **Explicit state machines** (`docs/solutions/skill-design/git-workflow-skills-need-explicit-state-machines-2026-03-27.md`): Model the cross-invocation gate as a decision table with explicit outcomes, not prose conditionals. - **Pass paths, not content** (`docs/solutions/skill-design/pass-paths-not-content-to-subagents-2026-03-26.md`): The `` element should contain metadata (thread IDs, categories, file paths, timestamps), not full comment bodies. The resolver reads full content on demand. - **Status-gated resolution** (`docs/solutions/workflow/todo-status-lifecycle.md`): Previously-resolved threads must be enforced at the dispatch boundary — they participate in clustering but are never individually dispatched. ## Key Technical Decisions - **jq filter change, not GraphQL change**: The existing query fetches all threads including resolved ones. The `isResolved == false` filter is in jq. Broadening this filter adds resolved threads to the output at zero API cost. (see origin: R9) - **Any resolved thread is a prior resolution — no author matching needed**: The brainstorm originally required detecting the skill's own prior replies. The plan simplifies this: any resolved thread on the PR is evidence of a prior review round. This eliminates the `gh api user` call, `author.login` matching, reply pattern detection, and the `set -e` error handling complexity. Multi-round review is the signal, regardless of who resolved the threads. - **N bounds total resolved threads, not "rounds"**: The brainstorm defined "rounds" as groups of threads resolved in a single invocation, which required fragile timestamp-based clustering in jq. The plan simplifies to: take the last N resolved threads (by `createdAt` of the most recent comment). This is a trivial jq sort + limit. N=10 is the starting value (covering typical PR history without excessive data). Successive reviews naturally cluster around changed code, so thread-level bounding is sufficient. - **No spatial overlap check**: The brainstorm's R11 specified a lightweight overlap check before full clustering. The plan drops this: successive reviews almost always cluster around the same code areas, so the overlap check would almost always pass. The cost it prevents (clustering with ~10 resolved threads + 1-2 new ones) is small. Skipping it keeps the orchestration simpler. - **Script computes the cross-invocation envelope**: Per the script-first learning, the script outputs a `cross_invocation` object with `signal` (boolean) and `resolved_threads` (array). The SKILL.md receives pre-computed analysis. ## Open Questions ### Resolved During Planning - **How to detect prior resolutions**: Any resolved thread = prior resolution. No author matching, no reply pattern matching, no user API call. Resolved threads exist alongside new ones in the script output. - **How to bound the lookback**: Last N=10 resolved threads by most-recent comment timestamp. Simple jq sort + slice. - **Whether to check spatial overlap first**: No. Successive reviews naturally cluster around changed code. The overlap check adds orchestration complexity for negligible token savings. ### Deferred to Implementation - **Optimal value of N**: Starting at 10. If PRs with extensive resolved thread history show performance issues, reduce. If patterns are missed, increase. --- ## High-Level Technical Design > *This illustrates the intended approach and is directional guidance for review, not implementation specification. The implementing agent should treat it as context, not code to reproduce.* ``` ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ get-pr-comments script (data layer) │ │ │ │ GraphQL query (unchanged) │ │ │ │ │ ▼ │ │ jq filter (broadened) │ │ │ │ │ ├── review_threads: [unresolved, as before] │ │ ├── pr_comments: [as before] │ │ ├── review_bodies: [as before] │ │ └── cross_invocation: │ │ signal: true/false │ │ resolved_threads: [ │ │ { thread_id, path, line, │ │ first_comment_body, last_comment_at } │ │ ...last N by recency │ │ ] │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ SKILL.md (orchestration layer) │ │ │ │ Step 1: Fetch (calls modified script) │ │ │ │ Step 2: Triage (as before) │ │ │ │ Step 3: Cluster gate (CHANGED) │ │ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Volume (3+)? ─── YES ──> full clustering │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ NO │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ cross_invocation.signal? ─ NO ──> skip │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ YES │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Full clustering (new + resolved threads) │ │ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ Step 5: Dispatch │ │ - resolved threads: cluster input only │ │ - new threads: cluster or individual │ │ │ │ Step 8: Verify loop (simplified) │ │ - removes old verify-loop re-entry logic │ │ - relies on cross-invocation signal next run │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ pr-comment-resolver agent (cluster mode) │ │ │ │ Receives with │ │ │ │ Three-mode assessment: │ │ 1. Band-aid: redo prior fixes holistically │ │ 2. Correct-but-incomplete: keep fixes, │ │ investigate sibling code │ │ 3. Sound-and-independent: context only │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ## Implementation Units - [x] **Unit 1: Extend `get-pr-comments` script** **Goal:** Broaden the jq filter to include resolved threads and output a cross-invocation envelope alongside the existing data. **Requirements:** R1, R2, R9, R10 **Dependencies:** None **Files:** - Modify: `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/scripts/get-pr-comments` **Approach:** - Widen the jq filter: keep the existing `review_threads` array (unresolved, non-outdated, as before). Add a new selection for resolved threads (`isResolved == true`), sorted by most-recent comment `createdAt`, limited to the last N=10. - Output the existing three keys (`review_threads`, `pr_comments`, `review_bodies`) unchanged, plus a new `cross_invocation` object containing: `signal` (boolean — true when both resolved threads and unresolved review threads exist), and `resolved_threads` (array of objects with `thread_id`, `path`, `line`, `first_comment_body`, `last_comment_at`). - No `gh api user` call. No author matching. No reply pattern detection. The signal is simply: resolved threads exist AND new threads exist. **Patterns to follow:** - Existing jq pipeline in `get-pr-comments` — extend the `$pr` extraction, don't restructure it - Keep all logic in jq **Test scenarios:** - Happy path: PR with 2 resolved threads and 1 new thread -> `cross_invocation.signal: true`, `resolved_threads` has 2 entries, `review_threads` has 1 - Happy path: PR with no resolved threads -> `cross_invocation.signal: false`, `resolved_threads` empty - Happy path: PR with resolved threads but no unresolved threads -> `cross_invocation.signal: false` (nothing new to cluster) - Edge case: PR with 20 resolved threads -> only last 10 (by recency) included - Edge case: PR with resolved threads but all unresolved threads are outdated -> `review_threads` empty, signal false **Verification:** - Run against a test PR with known resolved threads and verify the output JSON shape - Existing `review_threads`, `pr_comments`, `review_bodies` output is identical to current behavior --- - [x] **Unit 2: Update SKILL.md orchestration** **Goal:** Replace the verify-loop re-entry gate with the cross-invocation signal, update cluster brief format, enforce dispatch boundary for resolved threads, and simplify the verify loop. **Requirements:** R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R7, R8 **Dependencies:** Unit 1 (script must output the cross-invocation envelope) **Files:** - Modify: `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/SKILL.md` **Approach:** *Step 1 (Fetch)*: No change — the script now returns the cross-invocation envelope automatically. *Step 2 (Triage)*: No changes. Triage classifies new vs already-handled among unresolved threads. Resolved threads from `cross_invocation` are not triage subjects — they're a separate input to clustering. *Step 3 (Cluster Analysis)*: Replace the gate table: | Gate signal | Check | |---|---| | **Volume** | 3+ new items from triage | | **Cross-invocation** | `cross_invocation.signal == true` | When cross-invocation gate fires: include resolved threads from `cross_invocation.resolved_threads` alongside new threads in category assignment and spatial grouping. Resolved threads get a `previously_resolved` marker. Update cluster brief XML to include ``: ```xml [concern category] [common directory path] [comma-separated file paths] [comma-separated thread/comment IDs] [one sentence] ``` Remove the `` element — subsumed by ``. *Step 5 (Dispatch)*: Add dispatch boundary rule: resolved threads participate in clustering and appear in cluster briefs, but are NEVER individually dispatched. Only new threads get individual or cluster dispatch. *Step 8 (Verify)*: Simplify. Remove "Record which files were modified and which concern categories were addressed" and the verify-loop re-entry language. If new threads remain after 2 fix-verify cycles, escalate. Cross-invocation signal handles re-entry across sessions; within-session re-entry works because replies from earlier cycles make threads resolved on re-fetch. **Patterns to follow:** - Existing gate table format in step 3 - Existing cluster brief XML structure - Existing dispatch boundary logic in step 5 **Test scenarios:** - Happy path: 1 new thread + cross-invocation signal -> cluster analysis runs, resolved threads included - Happy path: 3 new threads + no cross-invocation signal -> volume gate fires, no resolved threads - Happy path: 1 new thread + no cross-invocation signal -> both gates skip, no clustering - Edge case: cross-invocation cluster with 1 new + 2 resolved -> brief includes all 3, dispatch only addresses the new thread (plus siblings the resolver identifies) - Edge case: resolved thread in a cluster -> in the brief for context, NOT dispatched individually - Integration: verify loop re-fetches after this session's fixes, resolved threads from this cycle appear in `cross_invocation` **Verification:** - Gate table in step 3 has exactly two rows (Volume, Cross-invocation) - No references to "verify-loop re-entry" remain - `` removed from cluster brief documentation - Step 5 has "resolved threads are cluster-only" rule - Step 8 no longer tracks files/categories or references re-entry as a gate signal --- - [x] **Unit 3: Update pr-comment-resolver agent for cross-invocation clusters** **Goal:** Add handling for the `` element in cluster mode and implement the three-mode assessment for cross-invocation clusters. **Requirements:** R6, R7 **Dependencies:** Unit 2 (SKILL.md must send the new cluster brief format) **Files:** - Modify: `plugins/compound-engineering/agents/workflow/ce-pr-comment-resolver.agent.md` **Approach:** Update the Cluster Mode Workflow section: Step 1 (Parse cluster brief): Add `` to parsed elements. Step 3 (Assess root cause): When `` is present, expand from two modes (systemic vs coincidental) to three: - **Band-aid fixes** — prior fixes addressed symptoms, not root cause. Approach: re-examine prior fix locations, implement holistic fix. - **Correct but incomplete** — prior fixes were right for their files, but the recurring pattern likely exists in untouched sibling code. This is the highest-value mode. Approach: keep prior fixes, fix the new thread, proactively investigate files in the same directory/module for the same pattern. Report findings in cluster assessment. - **Sound and independent** — prior fixes adequate, new thread is genuinely unrelated. Approach: fix individually, use prior context for awareness only. Add a cross-invocation example showing the "correct but incomplete" mode. Update `cluster_assessment` return to include which mode was applied and, for "correct but incomplete" mode, which additional files were investigated. **Patterns to follow:** - Existing cluster mode workflow structure - Existing example format in `` - Existing `cluster_assessment` return structure **Test scenarios:** - Happy path: cluster with `` where pattern extends to untouched code -> "correct but incomplete", investigates siblings - Happy path: cluster with `` where prior fixes were shallow -> "band-aid", holistic fix - Happy path: cluster with `` where new thread is unrelated -> "sound and independent" - Happy path: cluster WITHOUT `` -> existing two-mode assessment, no behavior change - Edge case: `` present but empty -> fall back to existing behavior **Verification:** - Cluster mode workflow mentions all three assessment modes - `` is listed as a parsed element - New example demonstrates "correct but incomplete" mode - `cluster_assessment` format documented for all three modes - References to `` removed (subsumed by ``) - Existing standard mode and non-prior cluster mode unchanged ## System-Wide Impact - **Interaction graph:** `get-pr-comments` is called by SKILL.md step 1 and step 8 (verify). Both callers now receive the `cross_invocation` envelope. Step 8's re-fetch picks up this session's replies as resolved threads. - **Error propagation:** No new external calls to fail. The only change is a jq filter broadening — if resolved threads are missing from the GraphQL response, `cross_invocation.signal` is false (graceful degradation). - **API surface parity:** The script's existing three output keys are unchanged. Callers that don't read `cross_invocation` are unaffected. - **Unchanged invariants:** Targeted mode is unaffected. Volume gate threshold, spatial grouping rules, and individual dispatch logic are unchanged. ## Risks & Dependencies | Risk | Mitigation | |------|------------| | Resolved threads from manual (non-skill) resolution included as prior resolutions | Acceptable — any resolved thread is evidence of prior review attention. If it was manually resolved without a fix, clustering with it may produce a "sound and independent" assessment, which is the correct outcome | | Resolved threads with 50+ comments hit pagination limits | Existing query fetches `comments(first: 50)`. The `last_comment_at` timestamp comes from whatever comments are fetched — graceful degradation | | "Correct but incomplete" mode causes resolver to touch files not in review threads | Bounded by the cluster's `` (directory path). Resolver already reads broadly in cluster mode | | Within-session verify loop depends on GitHub API reflecting resolved state quickly | GitHub's GraphQL is eventually consistent. If a just-resolved thread hasn't propagated, the cross-invocation signal won't fire for that thread on re-fetch — it will be caught on the next invocation instead. Acceptable degradation | ## Sources & References - **Origin document:** [docs/brainstorms/2026-04-01-cross-invocation-cluster-analysis-requirements.md](docs/brainstorms/2026-04-01-cross-invocation-cluster-analysis-requirements.md) - Related skill: `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/SKILL.md` - Related agent: `plugins/compound-engineering/agents/workflow/ce-pr-comment-resolver.agent.md` - Related script: `plugins/compound-engineering/skills/resolve-pr-feedback/scripts/get-pr-comments` - Learnings: `docs/solutions/skill-design/script-first-skill-architecture.md`, `docs/solutions/skill-design/git-workflow-skills-need-explicit-state-machines-2026-03-27.md`