Templates & Commands

Templated artefacts are the core skills — every one produces its output from a template in templates/; paste any raw request and Baxter drafts a verified document. Power tools are separate: six slash commands that automate multi-step workflows beyond a single document — validating releases, scanning codebases, fetching GitHub issues, diffing branches, and synthesising plans. A power tool's output may have structure, but that structure lives in its command file in .claude/commands/, never in templates/. Each template has a dedicated folder in artefacts/ — edit any to match your team's conventions.

These templates are yours to change.

Open any file in templates/ and adjust the sections, headings, or acceptance criteria format to match your team's standards. The agent reads whichever version is on disk — no config required.

What the agent reads when building each artefact

BRD — your raw request only. No codebase check — written before code exists.
PDcoderepo/ + artefacts/modules/modules.md + linked BRDs and TIPs. Full artefact verification.
TIP — linked BRD + coderepo/ + artefacts/modules/modules.md. Full artefact verification including data model.
TC — linked BRD (FRs and ACs) + coderepo/ + artefacts/modules/modules.md. Full artefact verification.
BRcoderepo/ + artefacts/modules/modules.md. Verifies the behaviour is a genuine bug, not expected functionality.
CRcoderepo/ + artefacts/modules/modules.md + linked BRDs. Verifies feasibility and checks for conflicts.
AI — linked BRD + coderepo/. Full artefact verification including integration and data model.
DIA — linked CR or BRD + coderepo/. Verifies flows and states match the real codebase.
ERD — linked BRD, CR, or TIP + coderepo/. Verifies table names, column names, and relationships against the codebase schema.
Retrospective BRD update — existing BRD + linked TIP/PD + coderepo/. Full feasibility and logic review.
CLQ — generated from sanity check ❌ findings. No additional input needed. Opt-in: Baxter offers to draft it after any sanity check with blockers. Saved to artefacts/client-clarifications/.
RV (Release Validation)user provides: release notes (file in docs/), two branch snapshots in coderepo/branches/, and sprint number. Baxter looks up GitHub issues via the gh CLI. Confirms every release note item is on staging, identifies undocumented changes going to production (product-facing and infrastructure), and lists outstanding DB migrations. Saved to artefacts/release-validation/ with sprint number in the filename. Always generates a PDF. Power tool — run /validate-release. No template — output structure defined in the command file.

Full artefact verification covers: names, technical feasibility, logic consistency, data model, roles and permissions, gaps and edge cases, and UX challenges.

Bugs

artefacts/bug-reports/

Filed when something is broken. Verified against the codebase to confirm the behaviour is a genuine bug, not expected functionality.

BR — Bug Report

templates/BR.md
Bug Report TitleProblem and ContextExpected BehaviourActual BehaviourHow to ReproducePreconditionsChecklistInstances TestedMedia / JAM Links
▶ Preview template
# Bug Report Title

## Problem and Context
(description of the end users issue, significance, and background)

### Expected Behaviour

### Actual Behaviour

## How to Reproduce

### Preconditions (including roles tested, specific data point if any, or other)

## Checklist
(fixes required for this — restrict only to relevant steps)
- [ ] Item to fix 1
- [ ] Item to fix 2
- [ ] Item to fix 3

## Instances Tested
(If the input mentions instances, check them off here. If not, ignore this section.)
- [ ] Development
- [ ] Staging
- [ ] Demo
- [ ] Production

## Media (Including JAM.dev or video links if any)

Changes

artefacts/change-requests/

New features and behaviour changes. Feasibility and conflicts checked against the codebase. Grouped issues use a subfolder with a master CR and sub-CRs.

CR — Change Request

templates/CR.md
Feature TitleSummaryProblem & ContextUser StoryIn Scope ChecklistOut of ScopeDesign & MediaAcceptance CriteriaTechnical NotesFinal Working Loom URLSource Request URL
▶ Preview template
## Feature Title
<a suitable, compact feature title that captures the essence of the change request>

## Summary
Clear explanation of why this is important to build and what value it brings.

## Problem & Context
<description of the users pain points and how this solution will help>

## User Story
As a [user], I want this [functionality] so that I can achieve this [benefit].

## In Scope Checklist
- [ ] Item 1
- [ ] Item 2

## Out of Scope
(placeholder)

## Acceptance Criteria (QA Team)
(placeholder)

## Technical Notes (Dev Team)
(placeholder)

## Source Request URL (e.g. ClickUp, Slack, Email)
(placeholder)

AI Features

artefacts/ai-features/

AI and LLM-powered capabilities — auto-fill, suggestions, predictions, generation. Includes prompt templates, model selection, and grounding data.

AI — AI Feature Issue

templates/AI.md
AI Feature TitleSummaryProblem & ContextUser StoryIn Scope ChecklistInput DataPrompt(s)Models & FallbackExecution SettingsGrounding DataDesign & MediaIntegration PlanAcceptance Criteria
▶ Preview template
# AI Feature Title

## Summary
What the AI feature does and the value it delivers.

## Problem & Context
What the user is currently doing manually, and why AI is the right solution.

## User Story
As a [user], I want [AI capability] so that [benefit].

## Input Data
What data the model receives as context (fields, records, history).

## Prompt(s)
```
System: {system prompt}
User: {user prompt template}
```

## Models & Fallback
Primary: {model}  |  Fallback: {model}

## Acceptance Criteria
- AC-01: {Observable, testable AI output outcome}

Requirements

artefacts/requirements/

Written from a raw client request before any code exists. No codebase check.

BRD — Business Requirements Document

templates/BRD.md
SummaryProblem & ObjectivesUser StoriesFunctional Requirements (FR-xx)Acceptance Criteria (AC-xx)Non-Functional RequirementsScopeAssumptions & Open Items
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# Business Requirements Document (BRD)

> **Status:** DRAFT | IN REVIEW | APPROVED
> **Artefact ID:** `{YYYY-MM-DD}-{feature-slug}-BRD`
> **Feature:** {Feature Title}
> **Author:** Claude (AI) — **Verified by:** {Name / Role}

---

## 1. Summary
{2–3 sentences: what it does, why it exists, value delivered.}

---

## 2. Problem & Objectives

| #      | Objective | Success Indicator |
|--------|-----------|-------------------|
| OBJ-01 |           |                   |

---

## 3. User Stories
- **US-01:** As a {role}, I want to {action} so that {benefit}.

---

## 4. Functional Requirements

### FR-01: {Title}
**Description:** {What the system must do.}
**Triggered by:** {User action or event}

**Acceptance Criteria:**
- AC-01-01: {Observable, testable outcome}

Product Docs

artefacts/product-docs/

Documents what was built and how it works. Verified against the codebase.

PD — Product Documentation

templates/PD.md
Module OverviewKey Concepts & TerminologyUser Roles & PermissionsFeature WalkthroughBusiness RulesKnown LimitationsLinked ArtefactsRevision History
▶ Preview template
# Product Documentation (PD)

> **Status:** DRAFT | IN REVIEW | APPROVED
> **Artefact ID:** `{YYYY-MM-DD}-{product-slug}-PD`
> **Product:** {Product / Module Name}
> **Author:** Claude (AI) — **Verified by:** {Tech Lead / Product Owner}

---

## 1. Module Overview
{What this module does, who uses it, and where it fits in the product.}

---

## 2. User Roles & Permissions

| Role  | Can do                        | Cannot do          |
|-------|-------------------------------|--------------------|
| Admin | Full access                   | —                  |
| User  | {specific actions}            | {restricted areas} |

---

## 3. Feature Walkthrough
{Step-by-step description of the key flows, verified against the codebase.}

---

## 4. Business Rules
- BR-01: {Observable rule the system enforces}
- BR-02:

Implementation

artefacts/implementation-plans/

Technical plan for developers. Includes data model, tasks, and API contracts.

TIP — Technical Implementation Plan

templates/TIP.md
Summary & Effort EstimateImplementation Tasks by LayerAPI ContractsData Model ChangesRisks & Open QuestionsTesting Notes
▶ Preview template
# Technical Implementation Plan (TIP)

> **Status:** DRAFT | IN REVIEW | APPROVED
> **Linked BRD:** [{BRD filename}](../requirements/{BRD-filename}.md)
> **Effort:** S (<1 day) / M (1–3 days) / L (3–7 days) / XL (>7 days)

---

## 1. Implementation Tasks

### Backend
| #     | Task | FR(s) | Effort |
|-------|------|-------|--------|
| BE-01 |      |       |        |

### API
| #      | Task                     | FR(s) | Effort |
|--------|--------------------------|-------|--------|
| API-01 | {Endpoint to add/modify} |       |        |

### Frontend
| #     | Task                           | FR(s) | Effort |
|-------|--------------------------------|-------|--------|
| FE-01 | {Component/page to add/modify} |       |        |

---

## 2. API Contracts

### `{METHOD} /api/{endpoint}`
**Auth:** JWT — min role: {Role}

```json
{ "field_name": "string" }
```

---

## 3. Data Model Changes

| Column    | Type    | Nullable | Default |
|-----------|---------|----------|---------|
| id        | UUID    | No       | gen_random_uuid() |
| {field}   | VARCHAR | No       | —       |

Test Suites

artefacts/test-suites/{MODULE}/

One file per test case. Grouped by module under test-suites/. Baxter never generates happy path tests alone — every set must cover all four types and always includes data validation and label accuracy scenarios.

TC — Test Case

templates/TC.md
Metadata (ID, module, FR/AC, priority, type)PreconditionsStep / Action / Input / Expected Result tablePostconditionsExecution log
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# Test Case: {MODULE}_TC{NN}_{Short_Name}

> **Status:** DRAFT | READY | PASS | FAIL | BLOCKED
> **Priority:** High / Medium / Low
> **Type:** Happy Path / Negative / Role-Based / Edge Case
> **Linked BRD:** [{BRD filename}](../../requirements/{BRD-filename}.md)
> **FR/AC:** FR-{xx}, AC-{xx}-{xx}

---

## Preconditions
- Tester is logged in as **{Role}** on **{environment}**
- {Any required data or system state}

---

## Test Steps

| Step | Action                              | Input Data    | Expected Result      |
|------|-------------------------------------|---------------|----------------------|
| 1    | {Click / Navigate / Enter / Select} | {Exact value} | {Observable outcome} |
| 2    |                                     |               |                      |

---

## Postconditions
- {What must be true in the system after the test passes}

---

## Execution

| Field       | Value                       |
|-------------|-----------------------------|
| Executed by |                             |
| Environment | Staging / Demo / Production |
| Result      | PASS / FAIL / BLOCKED       |

What Baxter covers in every test suite

Every generated test suite must include all four types. Baxter reads the linked BRD and codebase to derive scenarios — nothing is invented.

Happy Path

  • Minimum valid submission — mandatory fields only
  • Full submission — all fields populated

Negative

  • Each mandatory field submitted empty — correct error shown, record not saved
  • Each format-validated field submitted with invalid value (wrong email format, invalid date, non-numeric in number field)
  • All fields empty in a single submission
  • Required dropdown or select left unselected

Edge Case

  • Field submitted at character limit (must save) and one character over (must reject or truncate)
  • Free-text field submitted with whitespace only — rejected or trimmed, not saved as-is
  • Free-text field submitted with special characters — handled safely and displayed correctly
  • Empty state — no records exist
  • Search or filter returns no results
  • Pagination at last page and single-page result sets

Role-Based

  • Each role that should have access can complete the action
  • Each role that should not have access is blocked with the correct message
  • Destructive actions blocked for non-permitted roles

Label and error message accuracy is verified in the test steps of every applicable TC — not assumed correct. A coverage summary (e.g. 2 Happy Path, 5 Negative, 4 Edge Case, 2 Role-Based — 13 TCs total) is appended after every generated suite.

Diagrams

artefacts/diagrams/

Mermaid flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and entity relationship diagrams.

DIA — Diagram

templates/DIA.md
Diagram TitlePurpose & ScopeLinked ArtefactDiagram TypeMermaid SourceKey NotesRevision History
▶ Preview template
# Diagram: {Title}

> **Status:** DRAFT | APPROVED
> **Type:** Sequence / Flowchart / ER / State
> **Linked Artefact:** [{CR or BRD filename}](../requirements/{filename}.md)

---

## Purpose & Scope
{What this diagram shows and why it exists.}

---

## Diagram

```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
  actor User
  participant API
  participant DB

  User->>API: POST /api/{endpoint}
  API->>DB: INSERT INTO {table}
  DB-->>API: {id}
  API-->>User: 201 Created
```

---

## Key Notes
- {Anything a developer or BA should know about this flow}

ERD — Entity Relationship Diagram

templates/ERD.md
PurposeMermaid ERD DiagramRelationship KeyNotes & AssumptionsRevision History
▶ Preview template
# ERD: {Title}

> **Status:** DRAFT | IN REVIEW | APPROVED
> **Linked artefact:** [{BRD, CR, or TIP filename}](../../path/to/artefact.md)

---

## Purpose
{Which tables are shown, why this diagram was created, and who the audience is.}

---

## Diagram

```mermaid
erDiagram
    TABLE_NAME {
        int id PK
        varchar name
        int foreign_id FK
        date created_at
    }
    OTHER_TABLE {
        int id PK
        varchar description
    }
    TABLE_NAME ||--o{ OTHER_TABLE : "has many"
```

---

## Relationship Key

| Notation   | Meaning                      |
|------------|------------------------------|
| ||--||     | One to one                   |
| ||--o{     | One to zero or many          |
| ||--|{     | One to one or many           |
| }o--o{    | Zero or many to zero or many |

---

## Notes & Assumptions
- {Any tables or columns omitted for clarity}

Clarifications

artefacts/client-clarifications/

Generated when the sanity check finds blockers. Opt-in after any ❌ finding.

CLQ — Client Clarification Request

templates/CLQ.md
Subject lineOpening paragraphOne section per blocker (context + question)Next Steps
▶ Preview template
# Client Clarification Request (CLQ)

> **Status:** DRAFT | SENT | RESOLVED
> **Related Artefact:** [{artefact filename}](../{path}/{filename}.md)
> **Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD}

---

**Subject: {Feature or Module Name} — Clarification Required Before We Proceed**

{Opening: reviewed the request, conducted a full review, N points to raise before work can begin.}

---

## 1. {Blocker title — plain language}

{Context: what the request assumes, what the system currently does, why they conflict.}

**Question:** {One precise, answerable question.}

---

## Next Steps

Once you have reviewed these points, please reply with your answers or preferred approach.
We will not begin scoping or development until these are resolved.

Power tools — slash commands

Everything above is a core skill — a templated artefact produced from a file in templates/. The six power tools are different: /validate-release, /generate-module-registry, /generate-samples, /generate-test-plan, /generate-release-notes, and /compare-branches. You run them explicitly, and their output structure lives in each command file in .claude/commands/ — never in templates/.

Baxter The Agentic BA

Ready to work with Baxter?

Open source and free. Drop the harness into any project, open it in Claude Code, Cursor, or GitHub Copilot, and paste your first raw request.