spike-close

Close spike issues by promoting to Feature tickets or writing disposition memos.

489|254|Updated Apr 5, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/me2resh/apexyard --skill spike-close
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spike-close
Source: https://github.com/me2resh/apexyard/tree/main/.claude/skills/spike-close
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/me2resh/apexyard --skill spike-close

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill prevents “half-shipped” exploration by forcing every spike to end with a clear disposition—either PROMOTE into a production-shaped [Feature] ticket or DISCARD with a lasting memo.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Spike verification before disposition: Confirms the target issue is actually a spike by checking the [Spike] title prefix or the spike label, and warns if it is already closed.
  • PROMOTE path (decide + re-launch production work): Collects a production-shaped feature title, scope, and explicitly what is not carried over, then creates a new [Feature] issue and closes the spike with cross-references.
  • DISCARD path (document learning): Collects a concise “what we learned” paragraph, derives a stable memo slug, writes a disposition memo to docs/spike-memos/<slug>.md, then closes the spike with a pointer to the memo.
  • Use case: After running a time-boxed technical investigation (e.g., a new approach to migrations or an architectural spike), use this to either kick off production delivery or lock in the learning so you don’t re-run the same exploration later.

Quick Start

Run /spike-close with either --promote <spike-ticket-number> or --discard <spike-ticket-number> to disposition the spike through the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions about spike-close

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I close a GitHub spike issue after a technical investigation?▼

To close a GitHub spike issue after a technical investigation, you must disposition it by either promoting the findings into a new production-shaped [Feature] ticket or discarding the spike with a lasting memo artifact. This prevents half-shipped exploration from lingering in the main workflow.

What is the best way to document learnings from a discarded engineering spike?▼

The best way to document learnings from a discarded engineering spike is to generate a disposition memo. The system derives a stable slug from your concise summary and writes a durable memo artifact to `docs/spike-memos/<slug>.md`, then closes the spike with a cross-link to the memo.

How do I promote a spike into a production feature ticket in issue management?▼

To promote a spike into a production feature ticket, the workflow collects a feature title, scope, and explicitly what is not carried over. It then creates a new [Feature] issue, cross-references the original spike, and closes the investigation ticket safely.

Does the spike closure workflow validate GitHub issue metadata before processing?▼

Yes, the spike closure workflow validates GitHub issue metadata before processing. It confirms the target issue is actually a spike by checking for the `[Spike]` title prefix or the `spike` label, and warns the operator if the issue is already closed.

Why do engineering spikes need a formal disposition process in the SDLC?▼

Engineering spikes need a formal disposition process in the SDLC to avoid leaving confirmed-but-untracked exploration in the main workflow. Forcing a clear PROMOTE or DISCARD decision ensures production work is launched or learnings are locked in a memo.

When should I discard a spike instead of promoting it to a feature ticket?▼

You should discard a spike instead of promoting it when the time-boxed technical investigation proves an approach is unviable or out of scope. Discarding captures the learnings in a durable memo artifact to prevent re-running the same exploration later.