feat(v0.9.3): Slash Commands Deployment Documentation Fix

Complete guidance on deploying slash commands to user projects

Key Changes:
- Updated Generation Targets: Clear explanation that slash commands deployment is always required
- Added _deploy_slash_commands() implementation example with detailed code
- Added Slash Commands Deployment Checklist to catch deployment errors
- Clarified template structure: templates/{source}/ (most toolkits don't need base/)
- Clarified default spec format: Markdown (.md), alternatives: YAML, JSON, TOML
- Updated navigation tables (3541 lines, Component 5: 565 lines, 84-98% token savings)

Impact:
- Prevents implementers from missing critical AI-driven workflow support
- Future toolkits will correctly deploy commands to user projects
- Clear distinction between templates that need rendering vs direct copy
- AI assistants can access operational guides in user projects

Documentation Quality:
- Complete code examples with deployment logic
- Verification checklist for implementers
- Aligned with MetaSpec's own implementation patterns

Author: NeilJo-GY

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -9,6 +9,107 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ---
 
+## [0.9.3] - 2025-11-19
+
+### 📋 Slash Commands Deployment Documentation Fix
+
+**Issue**: Generator Pattern documentation incomplete regarding slash commands deployment  
+**Severity**: MEDIUM (Documentation completeness)  
+**Source**: marketing-spec-kit implementation feedback  
+**Status**: ✅ Resolved
+
+#### 🚨 Problem
+
+MetaSpec v0.9.2's `/metaspec.sdd.specify` command had incomplete documentation on deploying slash commands to user projects. The phrase "Generate custom slash commands (if specified)" was misleading, causing implementers to miss this critical step.
+
+**Consequences**:
+- Implementers didn't deploy slash commands to user projects
+- User projects lacked `.{toolkit}/commands/` directory
+- AI assistants couldn't access operational guides
+- Core AI-driven workflow value was lost
+
+#### 🔧 Implemented Fixes
+
+**Fix 1: Updated Generation Targets** (Line 2473-2483)
+
+**Before**:
+```markdown
+- **Commands**: Generate custom slash commands (if specified)
+```
+
+**After**:
+```markdown
+- **Slash Commands**: Deploy toolkit's slash commands to `.{toolkit}/commands/`
+  - ✅ Always deploy all slash command files (*.md)
+  - ✅ Target location: `.{toolkit}/commands/` in user projects
+  - ✅ Purpose: AI assistant operational guides
+  - ✅ Method: Direct file copy (NOT Jinja2 rendering)
+  - ⚠️ Not optional - Critical for AI-driven workflows
+```
+
+**Fix 2: Added Command Deployment Implementation** (Line 2527-2559)
+
+Added detailed `_deploy_slash_commands()` method with:
+- Clear docstring explaining purpose
+- Source/target directory specification
+- Direct file copy approach (not rendering)
+- Graceful handling when no commands exist
+
+**Fix 3: Added Slash Commands Deployment Checklist** (Line 2645-2666)
+
+New verification table checking:
+- Commands deployed correctly
+- File format preserved
+- AI accessibility
+- Proper timing (during init)
+
+**Fix 4: Updated Required Templates List** (Line 2565-2576)
+
+Added "Required Command Deployment" section specifying:
+- Source/target paths
+- Deployment method
+- Purpose clarification
+- Timing requirements
+
+#### 📊 Impact
+
+**Documentation Quality**:
+- ✅ Clear guidance on slash commands deployment
+- ✅ Complete code examples with `_deploy_slash_commands()`
+- ✅ Verification checklist for implementers
+- ✅ Aligned with MetaSpec's own implementation
+
+**Implementation Correctness**:
+- ✅ Future toolkits will correctly deploy commands
+- ✅ AI-driven workflows will work out-of-the-box
+- ✅ Consistent with MetaSpec architecture patterns
+
+#### 🔄 Migration Path
+
+**For existing toolkits** (like marketing-spec-kit):
+
+1. **Add command deployment logic** to Generator:
+   ```python
+   def _deploy_slash_commands(self, output_dir: Path) -> None:
+       # Copy from templates/{source}/commands/ to .{toolkit}/commands/
+   ```
+
+2. **Update project structure** description in spec.md
+3. **Verify** using new checklist
+4. **Re-release** toolkit with fix
+
+**For new toolkits**:
+- Follow updated `/metaspec.sdd.specify` guidance
+- Run verification checklist
+- Commands will deploy automatically
+
+#### 📚 Related Documentation
+
+- Generator implementation: `src/metaspec/generator.py` (Line 310, 328, 342)
+- Base AGENTS.md: Documents `.metaspec/commands/` purpose
+
+---
+
 ## [0.9.2] - 2025-11-18
 
 ### 🎯 Toolkit Type Detection & Simplified Generator Pattern

README.md

@@ -510,15 +510,20 @@ uv run mypy src/metaspec       # Type check
 
 ## 🏗️ Status
 
-**Current Version**: v0.9.2 (Alpha) 🚀
-
-**Latest Updates** (v0.9.2):
-- 🎯 **Toolkit Type Detection & Simplified Generator Pattern** - Architecture clarity
-- ✅ Removed "Domain Application" concept from `/metaspec.sdd.specify` (MetaSpec only generates Specification Toolkits)
-- 🔍 Simplified Step 4.5: Unified guidance for all toolkits (deleted 190 lines of confusion)
-- ⚠️ Unified Generator template: Single pattern for all Specification Toolkits (removed Option B)
-- 📝 Added Post-Generation verification checklist (Step 5d, +122 lines)
-- 🎓 Clarified MetaSpec architecture: Layer 1 (MetaSpec) → Layer 2 (Spec Toolkit) → Layer 3 (Domain App)
+**Current Version**: v0.9.3 (Alpha) 🚀
+
+**Latest Updates** (v0.9.3):
+- 📋 **Slash Commands Deployment Documentation Fix** - Complete guidance on deploying commands to user projects
+- ✅ Updated Generation Targets: Clear explanation of slash commands deployment (always required, not optional)
+- 🔧 Added `_deploy_slash_commands()` implementation example with detailed code
+- ✅ Added Slash Commands Deployment Checklist to catch deployment errors
+- 📁 Clarified template structure: `templates/{source}/` (most toolkits don't need `base/`)
+- 🎯 Prevents implementers from missing critical AI-driven workflow support
+
+**Previous Updates** (v0.9.2):
+- 🎯 Toolkit Type Detection & Simplified Generator Pattern
+- ✅ Removed "Domain Application" concept (MetaSpec only generates Specification Toolkits)
+- 🔍 Simplified Step 4.5 and unified Generator template
 
 **Previous Updates** (v0.9.1):
 - 🎯 Generator Pattern Clarification - Added guidance and validation (Dimension L)

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "meta-spec"
-version = "0.9.2"
+version = "0.9.3"
 description = "Meta-specification framework for generating Spec-Driven X (SD-X) toolkits for AI agents"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.11"

src/metaspec/__init__.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 from YAML definitions.
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.9.2"
+__version__ = "0.9.3"
 
 __all__ = ["__version__"]
 

src/metaspec/templates/meta/sdd/commands/specify.md.j2

@@ -36,10 +36,10 @@ This command is for defining **toolkit implementation specifications**:
 |------|-------|------|-----------------|
 | 1. Setup & Verify | 103-159 | 56 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=103, limit=56)` |
 | 2. Gather Content | 160-239 | 79 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=160, limit=79)` |
-| 3. Generate Sections | 240-2583 | 2343 lines | See components below ⬇️ **LARGE** |
-| 4. Write File | 2584-2632 | 48 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2584, limit=48)` |
-| 5. Impact Report | 2633-2730 | 97 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2633, limit=97)` |
-| 6-9. Analysis & Report | 2731-3007 | 276 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2731, limit=276)` |
+| 3. Generate Sections | 240-2639 | 2399 lines | See components below ⬇️ **LARGE** |
+| 4. Write File | 2640-2688 | 48 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2640, limit=48)` |
+| 5. Impact Report | 2689-2787 | 98 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2689, limit=98)` |
+| 6-9. Analysis & Report | 2788-3084 | 296 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2788, limit=296)` |
 
 **📋 Key Components in Step 3** (Jump to specific components):
 
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ This command is for defining **toolkit implementation specifications**:
 | Component 2: Validator | 447-491 | 44 lines | 🟢 Optional | `read_file(target_file, offset=447, limit=44)` |
 | **Component 3: CLI Commands** ⭐ | 492-1015 | 523 lines | 🔴 **KEY** | See subsections below ⬇️ |
 | **Component 4: Slash Commands** ⭐⭐ | 1016-2181 | 1165 lines | 🔴 **LARGE** | See subsections below ⬇️ |
-| **Component 5: Generator** ⭐⭐⭐ | 2210-2717 | 508 lines | 🔴 **CRITICAL** | See subsections below ⬇️ |
-| Architecture & Requirements | 2718-2845 | 128 lines | 🟡 Important | `read_file(target_file, offset=2718, limit=128)` |
+| **Component 5: Generator** ⭐⭐⭐ | 2214-2779 | 565 lines | 🔴 **CRITICAL** | See subsections below ⬇️ |
+| Architecture & Requirements | 2780-2850 | 70 lines | 🟡 Important | `read_file(target_file, offset=2780, limit=70)` |
 
 **🎨 Component 3: CLI Commands Subsections**:
 
@@ -70,16 +70,16 @@ This command is for defining **toolkit implementation specifications**:
 | **Custom Commands** ⭐ | 1123-1650 | 527 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=1123, limit=527)` |
 | **Library Commands** ⭐ | 1982-2181 | 199 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=1982, limit=199)` |
 
-**🎨 Component 5: Generator Subsections** (508 lines total, ⭐⭐⭐ v0.9.2):
+**🎨 Component 5: Generator Subsections** (565 lines total, ⭐⭐⭐ v0.9.3):
 
 | Subsection | Lines | Size | Usage |
 |------------|-------|------|-------|
 | **Generator Pattern Guide** ⭐⭐ | 2220-2306 | 87 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2220, limit=87)` |
 | **🎯 Understanding Purpose** ⭐⭐ NEW | 2307-2377 | 71 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2307, limit=71)` |
 | Step 1-4: Analysis Logic | 2378-2457 | 80 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2378, limit=80)` |
-| **Step 5: Define Generator** ⭐ | 2458-2579 | 122 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2458, limit=122)` |
-| **✅ Verification Checklist** ⭐⭐ NEW | 2580-2700 | 121 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2580, limit=121)` |
-| Step 6: Omit Generator | 2701-2727 | 27 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2701, limit=27)` |
+| **Step 5: Define Generator** ⭐ UPDATED | 2458-2634 | 177 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2458, limit=177)` |
+| **✅ Verification Checklist** ⭐⭐ NEW | 2635-2776 | 142 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2635, limit=142)` |
+| Step 6: Omit Generator | 2779-2805 | 27 lines | `read_file(target_file, offset=2779, limit=27)` |
 
 **💡 Typical Usage Patterns**:
 ```python
@@ -101,22 +101,22 @@ read_file(target_file, offset=2220, limit=87)
 # **Understanding Purpose**: NEW - MetaSpec scope clarification (71 lines) ⭐⭐ v0.9.2
 read_file(target_file, offset=2307, limit=71)
 
-# **✅ Verification Checklist**: NEW - Post-generation validation (121 lines) ⭐⭐ v0.9.2
-read_file(target_file, offset=2580, limit=121)
+# **✅ Verification Checklist**: NEW - Post-generation validation (142 lines) ⭐⭐ v0.9.3
+read_file(target_file, offset=2635, limit=142)
 
-# **Generator Logic**: Complete Component 5 (508 lines total) ⭐⭐⭐ v0.9.2
-read_file(target_file, offset=2220, limit=508)
+# **Generator Logic**: Complete Component 5 (565 lines total) ⭐⭐⭐ v0.9.3
+read_file(target_file, offset=2214, limit=565)
 
 # Slash Commands: Component 4 overview (106 lines)
 read_file(target_file, offset=1016, limit=106)
 ```
 
-**Token Savings (v0.9.2)**: 
-- Full file: 3463 lines (~11,736 tokens)
+**Token Savings (v0.9.3)**: 
+- Full file: 3541 lines (~12,000 tokens)
 - **Targeted reading: 60-523 lines (~200-1,770 tokens)**
-- **Step 4.5 only: 77 lines (~260 tokens) - 98% savings** 🏆
-- **Step 5d only: 121 lines (~410 tokens) - 97% savings** 🏆
-- **Generator Pattern only: 87 lines (~295 tokens) - 97% savings** 🏆
+- **Step 5 (Generator with deployment): 177 lines (~600 tokens) - 95% savings** 🏆
+- **Verification Checklist: 142 lines (~480 tokens) - 96% savings** 🏆
+- **Generator Pattern only: 87 lines (~295 tokens) - 98% savings** 🏆
 - **Overall savings: 84-98% tokens** 🎉
 
 ---
@@ -2472,10 +2472,15 @@ Check Toolkit Type         Check Toolkit Type
 
 **Generation Targets** (Project files):
 - **Project structure**: Create `.{toolkit}/`, `memory/`, `specs/` directories
-- **Specification files**: Render `{entity}-spec.yaml` from templates
+- **Specification files**: Render `{entity}-spec.md` from templates (default: Markdown; alternatives: YAML, JSON, TOML)
 - **Constitution**: Generate `memory/constitution.md` from principles template
 - **README**: Create project README with toolkit usage guide
-- **Commands**: Generate custom slash commands (if specified)
+- **Slash Commands**: Deploy toolkit's slash commands to `.{toolkit}/commands/`
+  - ✅ **Always deploy** all slash command files (`*.md`) from `templates/{source}/commands/`
+  - ✅ **Target location**: `.{toolkit}/commands/` directory in user projects
+  - ✅ **Purpose**: AI assistant operational guides (read by AI in user projects)
+  - ✅ **Method**: Direct file copy (NOT Jinja2 rendering)
+  - ⚠️ **Not optional** - Critical for AI-driven workflows
 
 **Architecture Pattern** (Follow MetaSpec):
 ```python
@@ -2510,21 +2515,71 @@ class {Toolkit}Generator:
         # 5. Build project structure
         project = self._build_structure(files)
 
-        # 6. Write to disk (atomic)
+        # 6. Deploy slash commands (if toolkit has them)
+        self._deploy_slash_commands(output_dir)
+        
+        # 7. Write to disk (atomic)
         self._write_files(project, output_dir)
 
         return GeneratedProject(files=files)
 ```
 
+**Command Deployment Implementation**:
+```python
+def _deploy_slash_commands(self, output_dir: Path) -> None:
+    """
+    Deploy toolkit's slash commands to user project.
+    
+    Copies all command files from toolkit's templates to 
+    `.{toolkit}/commands/` so AI assistants can read them in user projects.
+    
+    Args:
+        output_dir: Target project directory
+    
+    Behavior:
+        - Copies all *.md files from templates/{source}/commands/
+        - Creates `.{toolkit}/commands/` directory if needed
+        - Preserves original .md format (no Jinja2 rendering)
+        - Skips if no commands directory exists in templates
+    """
+    # Get toolkit's command directory from package
+    commands_source = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "templates" / "{source}" / "commands"
+    
+    if not commands_source.exists():
+        return  # No commands to deploy (optional component)
+    
+    # Create target directory in user project
+    commands_target = output_dir / f".{self.toolkit_name}" / "commands"
+    commands_target.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    
+    # Copy all command files (direct copy, no rendering)
+    for cmd_file in commands_source.glob("*.md"):
+        shutil.copy(cmd_file, commands_target / cmd_file.name)
+        logger.debug(f"Deployed command: {cmd_file.name}")
+```
+
 **Templates**:
-- **Location**: `src/{toolkit_name}/templates/` directory
+- **Location**: `src/{toolkit_name}/templates/{source}/` directory
+  - `{source}`: Domain-specific subdirectory (e.g., `mcp`, `marketing`, `api`)
+  - ⚠️ **Note**: Most toolkits don't need a `base/` directory - put templates directly in `{source}/`
 - **Format**: Plain files or Jinja2 templates (`.j2` extension)
 - **Customization**: User-overridable in `.{toolkit}/templates/`
-- **Required Templates**:
-  - `constitution.md` or `constitution.md.j2` - Project principles
-  - `spec-template.yaml` or `spec-template.yaml.j2` - Specification template
-  - `readme-template.md` or `readme-template.md.j2` - Project README
-  - `command-template.md.j2` (optional) - Custom command template
+
+- **Required Templates** (in `templates/{source}/`):
+  - `constitution.md.j2` - Project principles template (domain-specific, not generic)
+  - `spec-template.md.j2` - Specification template
+    - **Default format**: Markdown (`.md`)
+    - **Alternative formats**: YAML (`.yaml`), JSON (`.json`), TOML (`.toml`), or custom
+    - **Choose based on**: Domain conventions and parsing requirements
+  - `readme.md.j2` - Project README template
+  - `.gitignore.j2` - Git ignore rules template
+  
+- **Required Command Deployment** (if toolkit has slash commands):
+  - **Source**: `templates/{source}/commands/*.md` (same `{source}` as above)
+  - **Target**: `.{toolkit}/commands/*.md` (in user projects)
+  - **Method**: Direct file copy (NOT Jinja2 rendering)
+  - **Purpose**: AI assistant operational guides
+  - **When**: Always deploy during project initialization
 
 **Input**:
 - **Project name** (string): Name for the new project
@@ -2593,6 +2648,29 @@ Run this checklist to catch common mistakes:
 | **Templates location** | ✅ `src/{toolkit}/templates/` | ❌ Domain-specific templates |
 | **Template content** | ✅ Constitution, README, spec templates | ❌ Post/article templates |
 
+##### ✅ Slash Commands Deployment Checklist
+
+**Verify that your Generator properly deploys slash commands to user projects:**
+
+| Check | Correct | Wrong |
+|-------|---------|-------|
+| **Commands deployed?** | ✅ All `.md` files in `.{toolkit}/commands/` | ❌ Empty or missing directory |
+| **Command count** | ✅ Matches toolkit's command count | ❌ Missing commands |
+| **File format** | ✅ Original `.md` format preserved | ❌ Rendered as `.j2` or modified |
+| **Deployment method** | ✅ Direct file copy using `shutil.copy()` | ❌ Jinja2 rendering |
+| **Target location** | ✅ `.{toolkit}/commands/*.md` | ❌ Wrong directory or filename |
+| **AI accessible** | ✅ AI can read commands in user project | ❌ Commands only in toolkit source |
+| **Timing** | ✅ Deployed during `init` command | ❌ Manual copy required |
+
+**Command Deployment Verification**:
+```python
+# After running: {toolkit} init my-project
+# Verify:
+assert (my-project / ".{toolkit}" / "commands").exists()
+assert len(list((my-project / ".{toolkit}" / "commands").glob("*.md"))) > 0
+assert (my-project / ".{toolkit}" / "commands" / "{toolkit}.{command}.md").exists()
+```
+
 ##### 📋 Specific Validation Rules
 
 **Rule 1: Generator Purpose**