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SuperClaude v5: Capability-Driven Architecture

docs/capability-mapping-v5.md

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SuperClaude v5: Capability-Driven Architecture

Executive Summary

SuperClaude v4.x has 30 commands that create cognitive overhead ("command flood"). v5 proposes collapsing these into 7 canonical capabilities with intent-based routing.

The 7-Verb Capability Model

CapabilityDescriptionPrimary MCP Implementation
searchWeb/docs/code searchtavily, fetch, context7
summarizeExtract, analyze, comparesequential-thinking
retrieveKnowledge base accessmindbase
planTask decomposition, strategyairis-agent
editFile editing, PR, fixesserena
executeScripts, workflows, buildsbash, docker
recordMemory storage, observationsmindbase

Current Command → Capability Mapping

Primary Search Commands (→ search)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:researchDeep web researchsearch + summarize
/sc:index-repoCodebase indexingsearch + record
/sc:troubleshootDebug/investigatesearch + summarize

Primary Summarize Commands (→ summarize)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:analyzeCode quality analysissummarize
/sc:explainCode explanationsummarize
/sc:estimateEffort estimationsummarize
/sc:recommendRecommendationssummarize
/sc:business-panelBusiness analysissummarize

Primary Retrieve Commands (→ retrieve)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:loadSession loadingretrieve
/sc:indexGeneral indexretrieve
/sc:helpHelp/guidanceretrieve
/sc:select-toolTool selectionretrieve

Primary Plan Commands (→ plan)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:brainstormRequirements discoveryplan + summarize
/sc:designArchitecture designplan
/sc:spec-panelSpecificationplan
/sc:workflowWorkflow generationplan + execute

Primary Edit Commands (→ edit)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:implementFeature implementationedit + execute
/sc:improveCode improvementedit
/sc:cleanupCode cleanupedit
/sc:documentDocumentationedit + record

Primary Execute Commands (→ execute)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:buildBuild/compileexecute
/sc:testTest executionexecute
/sc:gitGit operationsexecute
/sc:spawnAgent spawningexecute
/sc:taskTask executionplan + execute

Primary Record Commands (→ record)

CommandCurrent PurposeCapability Mapping
/sc:saveSession persistencerecord
/sc:reflectTask reflectionrecord + summarize

Meta/Orchestration Commands

CommandCurrent Purposev5 Handling
/sc:pmProject managerAbsorbed into core - PM Agent becomes default orchestration layer
/sc:agentAgent controlAbsorbed into core - Multi-agent is automatic
/sc:scSuper commandDeprecated - Intent routing replaces explicit commands

v5 Intent → Implementation Routing

Example: User says "Check if this code has security issues"

v4 (Command-driven):

bash
/sc:analyze src/ --focus security

v5 (Capability-driven):

User: "Check if this code has security issues"
↓
Intent Detection: security_analysis
↓
Capability: summarize
↓
Implementation: sequential-thinking + serena (code read)
↓
Output: Security analysis report

Example: User says "Remember this pattern for next time"

v4 (Command-driven):

bash
/sc:save --type learnings

v5 (Capability-driven):

User: "Remember this pattern for next time"
↓
Intent Detection: store_knowledge
↓
Capability: record
↓
Implementation: mindbase.store_memory()
↓
Output: Pattern stored with semantic embedding

gateway-config.yaml Schema (Proposed)

yaml
# AIRIS MCP Gateway Configuration
version: "1.0"
capabilities:
  search:
    description: "Web/docs/code search"
    implementations:
      - name: tavily
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - intent: "web_search"
          - intent: "current_events"
      - name: context7
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - intent: "library_docs"
          - intent: "api_reference"
      - name: fetch
        priority: 3
        conditions:
          - intent: "specific_url"
          - intent: "http_request"
    fallback: fetch

  summarize:
    description: "Extract, analyze, compare"
    implementations:
      - name: sequential-thinking
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - complexity: "high"
          - multi_step: true
      - name: native
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - complexity: "low"
    fallback: native

  retrieve:
    description: "Knowledge base access"
    implementations:
      - name: mindbase
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - scope: "project"
          - scope: "cross_session"
      - name: memory
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - scope: "session_only"
    fallback: memory

  plan:
    description: "Task decomposition and strategy"
    implementations:
      - name: airis-agent
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - complexity: "high"
          - pdca: true
      - name: sequential-thinking
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - complexity: "medium"
    fallback: native

  edit:
    description: "File editing and refactoring"
    implementations:
      - name: serena
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - scope: "multi_file"
          - refactoring: true
      - name: native
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - scope: "single_file"
    fallback: native

  execute:
    description: "Script and workflow execution"
    implementations:
      - name: bash
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - type: "shell_command"
      - name: docker
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - type: "container"
    fallback: bash

  record:
    description: "Memory storage and observations"
    implementations:
      - name: mindbase
        priority: 1
        conditions:
          - persistence: "long_term"
          - semantic: true
      - name: memory
        priority: 2
        conditions:
          - persistence: "session"
    fallback: memory

# Intent patterns for automatic routing
intent_patterns:
  web_search:
    keywords: ["search", "find online", "latest", "current"]
    capability: search
    implementation_hint: tavily

  library_docs:
    keywords: ["docs", "documentation", "how to use", "api"]
    capability: search
    implementation_hint: context7

  security_analysis:
    keywords: ["security", "vulnerability", "owasp", "audit"]
    capability: summarize
    implementation_hint: sequential-thinking

  code_explanation:
    keywords: ["explain", "what does", "how does"]
    capability: summarize

  store_knowledge:
    keywords: ["remember", "save", "store", "note"]
    capability: record
    implementation_hint: mindbase

  task_planning:
    keywords: ["plan", "break down", "steps", "how to implement"]
    capability: plan
    implementation_hint: airis-agent

Migration Path: v4 → v5

Phase 1: Soft Deprecation

  • v4 commands continue to work
  • Commands route to capability layer internally
  • Warning: "Consider using natural language"

Phase 2: Capability Aliases

  • /search "query" as shorthand for search capability
  • /plan "task" as shorthand for plan capability
  • Natural language always works

Phase 3: Command Removal

  • v4 /sc:* commands deprecated
  • Only 7 capability verbs + natural language
  • Full intent-based routing

Implementation Priority

  1. Core Framework: Intent detection + capability routing
  2. AIRIS Integration: airis-agent as plan/execute implementation
  3. Mindbase Integration: retrieve/record implementation
  4. MCP Gateway: Hot/cold server management
  5. Legacy Compatibility: v4 command translation layer

Token Efficiency Comparison

Scenariov4 Tokensv5 TokensSavings
Security analysis~500 (command parsing)~100 (intent)80%
Research task~800 (multi-command)~200 (single intent)75%
Memory storage~300 (command + args)~50 (natural)83%

Conclusion

The 7-verb capability model:

  • Reduces cognitive load from 30 commands to 7 concepts
  • Enables natural language interaction
  • Allows vendor-neutral MCP implementation swapping
  • Provides cleaner Plugin ABI for extensions
  • Maintains backwards compatibility during transition