Init Pattern Selection

Status: ✅ Complete · Priority: High · Created: 2025-11-03 · Tags: ux, init, v0.2.0

Let users choose folder pattern during lean-spec init

Overview

Currently when running lean-spec init, users can only choose a template (minimal/standard/enterprise). The folder pattern is set by the template and users must manually edit .lean-spec/config.json to change it.

Issue: No way to choose folder pattern during initialization.

Solution: Add pattern selection step to init wizard.

Design

Enhance the lean-spec init wizard to offer pattern choices:

Current flow:

1. Choose template (minimal/standard/enterprise)
2. Confirm → Done

New flow:

1. Choose template (minimal/standard/enterprise)
2. Choose folder pattern:
   • {YYYYMMDD}/{NNN}-{name}/ (Date-grouped - recommended for teams)
   • {YYYYMMDD}-{NNN}-{name}/ (Flat with date prefix)
   • {NNN}-{name}/ (Simple sequential)
   • Custom (enter your own)
3. Confirm → Done

UI mockup:

$ lean-spec init

? Select a template:
  ❯ standard
    minimal
    enterprise

? Select folder pattern:
  ❯ Date-grouped: 20251103/001-my-spec/ (recommended for teams)
    Flat with date: 20251103-001-my-spec/
    Simple: 001-my-spec/
    Custom pattern

Implementation:

• Add pattern selection prompt to init.ts
• Override template's folderPattern in generated config
• Provide sensible descriptions for each pattern
• Default to date-grouped (current best practice)

Plan

Status (2025-11-04): Ready to implement - part of Phase 2 UX improvements for v0.2.0

• Add pattern selection to init wizard
• Update init command to handle pattern choice
• Add pattern override logic
• Update documentation
• Add tests for pattern selection

Implementation Notes:

• Straightforward UX enhancement to init flow
• Improves onboarding by eliminating manual config edits
• Part of spec 043 launch preparation
• Estimated: 3-4 hours implementation
• No blocking dependencies

Testing Priority:

• Pattern selection UI is intuitive
• Selected pattern correctly overrides template default
• Custom pattern validation works
• Backward compatibility maintained

Test

• Init wizard offers pattern choices
• Selected pattern overrides template default
• Custom pattern option works
• Default pattern is date-grouped
• Backward compatibility (skip pattern selection if not needed)

Notes

Related to spec 20251103/002-folder-structure-improvements - this is a polish issue split out for focused tracking.

This improves onboarding by letting users choose the right pattern upfront instead of requiring manual config edits.