Guided wizard to start a new feature. Asks what you want to build, recommends the right starting wave, and launches it.
Wave: CROSS_WAVE (entry point)
Agent: Main Instance (self — wizard)
Command: /nw-new
Conversational wizard that asks the user to describe their feature|classifies it|recommends a starting wave|launches it. Eliminates need to understand the 6-wave pipeline before using nWave.
You (the main Claude instance) run this wizard directly. No subagent delegation.
Ask the user to describe what they want to build. If provided as argument, use that.
If vague (fewer than 3 meaningful words or unclassifiable):
Do NOT proceed until you have a clear, actionable description.
Derive feature ID per rules in ~/.claude/nWave/skills/common/wizard-shared-rules.md (section: Feature ID Derivation).
Examples: "Add rate limiting to the API gateway" -> rate-limiting-api-gateway | "OAuth2 upgrade" -> oauth2-upgrade | "Implement a real-time notification system with WebSocket support for mobile and desktop clients" -> real-time-notification-system-websocket
Show derived ID via AskUserQuestion. Allow override with custom value.
Check if docs/feature/{feature-id}/ exists. If so, offer via AskUserQuestion:
/nw-continuedocs/feature/{feature-id}-archived-{date}/Use AskUserQuestion:
Q1: New or existing behavior?
Q2: Requirements readiness?
Based on description and answers, classify:
Show classification for user confirmation.
Scan filesystem:
src/ or equivalent has codedocs/feature/ has prior feature directoriesNo source code and no prior features -> greenfield | Otherwise -> brownfield
Decision tree:
IF "fixing a bug":
-> /nw-root-why ("Investigate the root cause first")
IF "haven't validated the problem":
-> /nw-discover ("Validate the problem space before building")
IF "rough idea, need to explore":
-> /nw-discuss ("Define requirements and acceptance criteria")
IF "clear requirements, nothing written":
-> /nw-discuss ("Formalize requirements into user stories")
IF existing DISCUSS artifacts found:
-> /nw-design ("Requirements exist, design the architecture")
IF existing DESIGN artifacts found:
-> /nw-distill ("Architecture exists, create acceptance tests")
IF all prior waves complete:
-> /nw-deliver ("Ready for implementation")
DEFAULT:
-> /nw-discuss ("Start by defining what to build")
Show recommendation with rationale via AskUserQuestion: recommended wave command|why this wave (one sentence)|what it produces.
After user confirms, create project directory:
mkdir -p docs/feature/{feature-id}
Invoke recommended wave command by reading its task file and following instructions, passing feature ID as argument.
| Error | Response |
|---|---|
| Vague description (< 3 meaningful words) | Ask follow-up questions with example |
| Name conflict with existing project | Offer continue/rename/archive options |
| User cannot classify feature type | Default to "cross-cutting", note uncertainty |
| No clear wave recommendation | Default to DISCUSS with explanation |
/nw-new "Add rate limiting to the API gateway"
Derives rate-limiting-api-gateway, detects no prior artifacts (greenfield), asks clarifying questions. User says "new functionality, clear requirements." Recommends DISCUSS, launches /nw-discuss "rate-limiting-api-gateway".
/nw-new "Fix authentication timeout errors"
Detects "fix" in description. User confirms bug. Recommends /nw-root-why "authentication timeout errors".
/nw-new "Build a customer feedback system"
User says they haven't validated whether customers want this. Recommends DISCOVER, launches /nw-discover "customer-feedback-system".