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name: sdlc-tier-selection description: Guide for selecting the appropriate SDLC tier based on project complexity. Use when planning features, assessing scope, or starting new work.

SDLC Tier Selection

Repository State (Check First)

SDLC Tiers

⚠️ Time estimates are HUMAN hours for complexity assessment only. Never refuse scope based on time.

Phase Sequences

Micro: Requirements → Design Update (if needed) → Implementation → Testing

Small: Requirements → Design → Implementation → Testing → Deployment

Medium: Requirements → System Design → Documentation → Implementation → QA → Deployment

Large: Requirements → Architecture → Detailed Design → Documentation → Development → Testing → Quality Gates → Deployment

Enterprise: Discovery → System Architecture → Detailed Design → Compliance → Phased Development → Comprehensive Testing → Quality Gates → Infrastructure → Deployment → Post-Release

Design Documents (in .gaia/designs/)

• use-cases.md - Use cases, user flows, API/UI journeys
• architecture.md - System design and components
• api.md - API endpoints and contracts
• database.md - Schema and data models
• security.md - Authentication and authorization
• frontend.md - UI/UX patterns and components

After Selection

Copymcp__gaia__remember("sdlc", "type", "[micro/small/medium/large/enterprise]", "ProjectWide")
mcp__gaia__remember("sdlc", "phases", "[phase list]", "ProjectWide")