# Exploration Protocol

> Structured approach to explore features before production development. Templates for objectives, acceptance criteria, architecture, prototypes, and verification. This skill should be used when the user asks to "explore a feature", "start an exploration", "create a task folder", or mentions exploration protocol.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-exploration-protocol`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [dwmkerr](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dwmkerr)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [dwmkerr](https://github.com/dwmkerr)
- **Source:** https://github.com/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit/tree/main/plugins/protocols/skills/exploration-protocol
- **Website:** https://www.skills.sh/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-exploration-protocol
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Exploration Protocol

A structured approach to explore features before production development. The goal is to learn, build acceptance criteria, experiment with verifiable prototypes, and codify learnings.

## Task Folder Structure

```
tasks/NNN-taskname/
├── 01-objectives.md
├── 02-acceptance-criteria.md
├── 03-architecture.md
├── 04-verifiable-prototype.md
├── 05-verification.md
├── 06-outcome.md
├── 99-research/
└── 99-findings/
```

## Document Templates

You MUST read the template files in `./references/001-example-task/` before scaffolding a task folder. These templates show the exact structure and format to use:

- [01-objectives.md](./references/001-example-task/01-objectives.md)
- [02-acceptance-criteria.md](./references/001-example-task/02-acceptance-criteria.md)
- [03-architecture.md](./references/001-example-task/03-architecture.md)
- [04-verifiable-prototype.md](./references/001-example-task/04-verifiable-prototype.md)
- [05-verification.md](./references/001-example-task/05-verification.md)
- [06-outcome.md](./references/001-example-task/06-outcome.md)

## Key Patterns

### Stub Markers

For sections to be filled in later:

```markdown
> Stub - to be filled in after objectives and acceptance criteria are approved.
```

### Criteria Tables

Always pair criteria with verification method:

```markdown
| Criterion | Verification Method |
|-----------|---------------------|
| User can log in | Manual test: complete flow, see logged-in state |
| API returns 401 on bad auth | `curl -H "Auth: bad"` shows 401 |
```

### Checkpoint Lists

For prototypes, use checkboxes:

```markdown
**Checkpoint 1:**
- [ ] Auth0 application configured
- [ ] PKCE enabled
```

### ASCII Diagrams

Keep simple:

```
┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
│   Popup     │────▶│  Background │────▶ API
└─────────────┘     └─────────────┘
```

## Phase Flow

1. **Objectives** → user reviews
2. **Acceptance Criteria** → user approves before work begins
3. **Architecture** → stub until criteria approved
4. **Prototype** → incremental with checkpoints
5. **Verification** → evidence for each criterion
6. **Outcome** → learnings and follow-on work

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [dwmkerr](https://github.com/dwmkerr)
- **Source:** [dwmkerr/claude-toolkit](https://github.com/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit)
- **License:** MIT
- **Homepage:** https://www.skills.sh/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** yes
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-exploration-protocol
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dwmkerr
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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