feat(instructions): add Method 2 Design Research coaching knowledge by chaosdinosaur · Pull Request #652 · microsoft/hve-core

chaosdinosaur · 2026-02-18T00:10:44Z

Pull Request

Description

Add dt-method-02-research.instructions.md with method-tier coaching knowledge for Design Thinking Method 2.

Research discovery framework: curiosity-driven, environmental constraint, and capability vs system patterns
Research planning with target prioritization (Tier 1/2/3) and universal discovery sequence
Interview techniques: question design, live coaching, progressive deepening
Environmental observation: focus areas and cross-domain constraint patterns
Insight extraction with evidence standards and pattern analysis
Method 1 input requirements and Method 3 output deliverables

Related Issue(s)

Closes #577

Type of Change

Select all that apply:

Code & Documentation:

Bug fix (non-breaking change fixing an issue)
New feature (non-breaking change adding functionality)
Breaking change (fix or feature causing existing functionality to change)
Documentation update

Infrastructure & Configuration:

AI Artifacts:

Reviewed contribution with prompt-builder agent and addressed all feedback
Copilot instructions (.github/instructions/*.instructions.md)
Copilot prompt (.github/prompts/*.prompt.md)
Copilot agent (.github/agents/*.agent.md)
Copilot skill (.github/skills/*/SKILL.md)

Other:

Script/automation (.ps1, .sh, .py)
Other (please describe):

Testing

Passes npm run lint:md
applyTo: '**/.copilot-tracking/dt/**/method-02*' (method tier)

Checklist

Required Checks

Documentation is updated (if applicable)
Files follow existing naming conventions
Changes are backwards compatible (if applicable)
Tests added for new functionality (if applicable)

Required Automated Checks

The following validation commands must pass before merging:

Markdown linting: npm run lint:md
Spell checking: npm run spell-check
Frontmatter validation: npm run lint:frontmatter
Skill structure validation: npm run validate:skills
Link validation: npm run lint:md-links
PowerShell analysis: npm run lint:ps

Security Considerations

This PR does not contain any sensitive or NDA information
Any new dependencies have been reviewed for security issues
Security-related scripts follow the principle of least privilege

Additional Notes

Add dt-method-02-research.instructions.md with method-tier coaching knowledge for Design Thinking Method 2. Covers research planning and target prioritization, interview techniques and question design, environmental observation patterns, insight extraction with evidence standards, and cross-domain constraint patterns. Closes microsoft#577 🤖 Generated by Copilot

…s and update collection

Copilot

Pull request overview

This PR adds a new method-tier instruction file for Design Thinking Method 2 (Design Research) to provide coaching knowledge for conducting user research through interviews, environmental observation, and insight extraction. The file will auto-apply to files matching the pattern **/.copilot-tracking/dt/**/method-02*.

Changes:

Adds comprehensive research methodology guidance including curiosity-driven research, environmental constraint discovery, and user capability assessment
Documents research planning framework with tier-based prioritization and universal discovery sequences
Provides interview technique guidance including question design principles, live coaching patterns, and common pitfalls
Defines environmental observation focus areas and cross-domain constraint patterns
Establishes insight extraction standards with pattern analysis and evidence requirements

.github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-02-research.instructions.md

codecov-commenter · 2026-02-18T00:15:14Z

Codecov Report

✅ All modified and coverable lines are covered by tests.
✅ Project coverage is 85.99%. Comparing base (17002bd) to head (b19680e).
⚠️ Report is 103 commits behind head on main.

Additional details and impacted files

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Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated 1 comment.

.github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-02-research.instructions.md

Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated 3 comments.

.github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-02-research.instructions.md

…tructions.md Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated no new comments.

…ses, coaching roles, and artifact structures

Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated no new comments.

…ions for AI-enhanced design thinking

WilliamBerryiii · 2026-02-18T20:20:49Z

Thank you for your contribution, @chaosdinosaur. We restructured the PR description to follow the project's pull request template. Please review the updated description and check any additional boxes that apply to your changes.

…esearch in collection and README files

…tence (#654) # Pull Request ## Description > **Note:** This PR depends on #642, #645, #650, #651, #652, #653 (Phase 1 foundation) being merged first. Add `dt-coaching-state.instructions.md`, which defines the YAML-based coaching state schema for Design Thinking session persistence. The state file tracks method progress across sessions and enables the coach to resume seamlessly by reading project metadata, the current method/space/phase, transition history, session logs, and produced artifacts. ## Related Issue(s) Closes #582 ## Type of Change Select all that apply: **Code & Documentation:** - [ ] Bug fix (non-breaking change fixing an issue) - [x] New feature (non-breaking change adding functionality) - [ ] Breaking change (fix or feature causing existing functionality to change) - [ ] Documentation update **Infrastructure & Configuration:** - [ ] GitHub Actions workflow - [ ] Linting configuration (markdown, PowerShell, etc.) - [ ] Security configuration - [ ] DevContainer configuration - [ ] Dependency update **AI Artifacts:** - [x] Reviewed contribution with `prompt-builder` agent and addressed all feedback - [x] Copilot instructions (`.github/instructions/*.instructions.md`) - [ ] Copilot prompt (`.github/prompts/*.prompt.md`) - [ ] Copilot agent (`.github/agents/*.agent.md`) - [ ] Copilot skill (`.github/skills/*/SKILL.md`) **Other:** - [ ] Script/automation (`.ps1`, `.sh`, `.py`) - [ ] Other (please describe): ## Sample Prompts (for AI Artifact Contributions) **User Request:** > Resume my design thinking coaching session for the factory floor maintenance project. **Execution Flow:** 1. Coach reads `.copilot-tracking/dt/factory-floor-maintenance/coaching-state.md`. 2. Parses YAML schema: validates `project`, `current`, `methods_completed`, and `transition_log` fields. 3. Restores context from `current.method` (e.g., 3), `current.space` (`problem`), and `current.phase` (e.g., `theme clustering`). 4. Reviews latest `session_log` and `transition_log` entries to summarize where the team left off. 5. Scans `artifacts` list for available project outputs to reference. 6. Announces resumed state to the user with current method, phase, and a brief summary of previous work. **Output Artifacts:** ```yaml # .copilot-tracking/dt/factory-floor-maintenance/coaching-state.md project: name: "Factory Floor Maintenance" slug: "factory-floor-maintenance" created: "2026-02-18" initial_request: "Reduce unplanned downtime on the factory floor" initial_classification: "fluid" current: method: 3 space: "problem" phase: "theme clustering" --------- Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: Allen Greaves <allengreaves@microsoft.com>

# Pull Request ## Description Add `dt-coach.agent.md` as the single conversational Design Thinking coaching agent. - Implement Think/Speak/Empower coaching philosophy governing all responses - Define tiered instruction loading: ambient (automatic), method (pattern-matched), on-demand (`read_file`) - Reference all four ambient-tier instruction files (identity, quality, sequencing, state) - Implement hat-switching logic for seamless method transitions - Integrate progressive hint engine with 4-level escalation - Add session management with coaching state initialization and recovery - Define method routing with non-linear iteration support - Include context refresh protocol and artifact management > [!NOTE] > This PR depends on #642, #645, #650, #651, #652, #653 (Phase 1 foundation) and #654 (coaching state protocol) being merged first. ## Related Issue(s) Closes #579 ## Type of Change Select all that apply: **Code & Documentation:** - [ ] Bug fix (non-breaking change fixing an issue) - [x] New feature (non-breaking change adding functionality) - [ ] Breaking change (fix or feature causing existing functionality to change) - [ ] Documentation update **Infrastructure & Configuration:** - [ ] GitHub Actions workflow - [ ] Linting configuration (markdown, PowerShell, etc.) - [ ] Security configuration - [ ] DevContainer configuration - [ ] Dependency update **AI Artifacts:** - [ ] Reviewed contribution with `prompt-builder` agent and addressed all feedback - [ ] Copilot instructions (`.github/instructions/*.instructions.md`) - [ ] Copilot prompt (`.github/prompts/*.prompt.md`) - [x] Copilot agent (`.github/agents/*.agent.md`) - [ ] Copilot skill (`.github/skills/*/SKILL.md`) **Other:** - [ ] Script/automation (`.ps1`, `.sh`, `.py`) - [ ] Other (please describe): ## Testing  ## Checklist ### Required Checks - [x] Documentation is updated (if applicable) - [x] Files follow existing naming conventions - [x] Changes are backwards compatible (if applicable) - [ ] Tests added for new functionality (if applicable) ### Required Automated Checks The following validation commands must pass before merging: - [x] Markdown linting: `npm run lint:md` - [x] Spell checking: `npm run spell-check` - [x] Frontmatter validation: `npm run lint:frontmatter` - [ ] Skill structure validation: `npm run validate:skills` - [x] Link validation: `npm run lint:md-links` - [x] PowerShell analysis: `npm run lint:ps` ## Security Considerations - [x] This PR does not contain any sensitive or NDA information - [x] Any new dependencies have been reviewed for security issues - [x] Security-related scripts follow the principle of least privilege ## Additional Notes 🎴 Generated by Copilot --------- Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: Allen Greaves <allengreaves@microsoft.com>

🤖 I have created a release *beep* *boop* --- ## [3.0.0](hve-core-v2.3.10...hve-core-v3.0.0) (2026-02-20) ### ⚠ BREAKING CHANGES * **skills:** migrate PR reference generation to self-contained skill ([#669](#669)) * restructure RPI collection to HVE Core naming convention ([#668](#668)) ### ✨ Features * **agents:** add agile-coach agent ([#562](#562)) ([de8d86c](de8d86c)) * **agents:** add DT coach agent with tiered instruction loading ([#656](#656)) ([206d3a7](206d3a7)) * **agents:** add product manager advisor and UX/UI designer agents ([#627](#627)) ([539eb8a](539eb8a)) * **agents:** add system architecture reviewer for design trade-offs and ADR creation ([#626](#626)) ([de5cfd6](de5cfd6)) * **build:** pin devcontainer image and align tool parity ([#704](#704)) ([6258b1c](6258b1c)) * **design-thinking:** add manufacturing industry context template ([#682](#682)) ([ce864bf](ce864bf)) * **instructions:** add DT coaching state protocol for session persistence ([#654](#654)) ([5a5be4e](5a5be4e)) * **instructions:** add dt-coaching-identity ambient instruction ([#642](#642)) ([6209a0d](6209a0d)) * **instructions:** add dt-method-01-deep for advanced scope conversation techniques ([#673](#673)) ([cc92ef9](cc92ef9)) * **instructions:** add dt-method-03-deep for advanced input synthesis techniques ([#676](#676)) ([0079a4f](0079a4f)) * **instructions:** add dt-method-09-deep instructions for Method 9 advanced coaching ([#703](#703)) ([150b2a6](150b2a6)) * **instructions:** add dt-method-sequencing ambient instruction ([#650](#650)) ([e465b2f](e465b2f)) * **instructions:** add dt-quality-constraints and design-thinking collection ([#645](#645)) ([17002bd](17002bd)) * **instructions:** add DT-to-RPI handoff contract specification ([#679](#679)) ([87f9962](87f9962)) * **instructions:** add energy industry context template ([#687](#687)) ([41088d8](41088d8)) * **instructions:** add healthcare industry context template ([#686](#686)) ([b2d5281](b2d5281)) * **instructions:** add Method 1 Scope Conversations coaching knowledge ([#651](#651)) ([93e2d48](93e2d48)) * **instructions:** add Method 2 Design Research coaching knowledge ([#652](#652)) ([30f7f3b](30f7f3b)) * **instructions:** add Method 3 Input Synthesis coaching knowledge ([#653](#653)) ([1efdb7d](1efdb7d)) * **instructions:** add Method 7 High-Fidelity Prototypes coaching instruction ([#666](#666)) ([9233eab](9233eab)) * **instructions:** add pull request instructions for PR generation workflow ([#706](#706)) ([73d23eb](73d23eb)) * **instructions:** create DT curriculum content (9 modules) ([#690](#690)) ([9f7378f](9f7378f)), closes [#617](#617) * **instructions:** create dt-method-02-deep.instructions.md ([#700](#700)) ([4d4d0ca](4d4d0ca)) * **instructions:** create dt-method-06-lofi-prototypes.instructions.md ([#684](#684)) ([4d5f757](4d5f757)) * **instructions:** create dt-method-07-deep.instructions.md ([#678](#678)) ([d3ec70d](d3ec70d)) * **instructions:** Create dt-method-08-deep.instructions.md ([#683](#683)) ([d9e1115](d9e1115)) * **instructions:** create dt-method-08-testing.instructions.md ([#681](#681)) ([3008ad8](3008ad8)) * **instructions:** create dt-method-09-iteration.instructions.md ([#685](#685)) ([9d7f4f5](9d7f4f5)) * **instructions:** create dt-rpi-research-context.instructions.md ([#689](#689)) ([34c7b89](34c7b89)) * **instructions:** create manufacturing reference learning scenario ([#692](#692)) ([1bd3994](1bd3994)) * **instructions:** Design Thinking Method 4 brainstorming instruction file ([#664](#664)) ([06f90b0](06f90b0)) * **prompts:** add DT start-project prompt for coaching initialization ([#657](#657)) ([ce583d5](ce583d5)) * **prompts:** add dt-resume-coaching prompt for session recovery ([#665](#665)) ([11b93cb](11b93cb)) * **prompts:** create dt-handoff-problem-space.prompt.md ([#688](#688)) ([277963d](277963d)) * **scripts:** add collection-level maturity field with validation, gating, and notices ([#697](#697)) ([7b1c8e8](7b1c8e8)) * **scripts:** add per-violation CI annotations and colorized console output ([#637](#637)) ([bd7d512](bd7d512)) * **skills:** edit SKILL frontmatter schema, add CI validation, and documentation ([#625](#625)) ([0138a78](0138a78)) * **skills:** mandate unit testing and document language support ([#636](#636)) ([9263617](9263617)) * **skills:** migrate PR reference generation to self-contained skill ([#669](#669)) ([cf8805f](cf8805f)) ### 🐛 Bug Fixes * **collections:** migrate artifacts into collection-based subdirectories ([#658](#658)) ([dfa5261](dfa5261)) * **instructions:** optimize Phase 1 DT token budgets and close [#564](https://github.com/microsoft/hve-core/issues/564)/[#565](https://github.com/microsoft/hve-core/issues/565) gaps ([#675](#675)) ([4f42f00](4f42f00)) * **scripts:** add CI annotations and step summary to copyright header check ([#638](#638)) ([5fa6328](5fa6328)) * **scripts:** add grouped link-lang console diagnostics and failure summary ([#661](#661)) ([4d6871f](4d6871f)) * **scripts:** add per-violation Write-Host and Write-CIAnnotation output to Test-DependencyPinning ([#640](#640)) ([9d3b71d](9d3b71d)) * **scripts:** align agent frontmatter schema with VS Code spec ([#469](#469)) ([254d445](254d445)) * **scripts:** optimize PSScriptAnalyzer linting performance in WSL2 ([#667](#667)) ([f120b93](f120b93)) * **scripts:** stabilize YAML display key ordering in collection manifest ([#701](#701)) ([73c0d2c](73c0d2c)) * **scripts:** use text stubs for plugin links when symlinks unavailable ([#695](#695)) ([d7650a3](d7650a3)) * **skills:** fix powershell test coverage in pr-reference skill ([#699](#699)) ([408e6b7](408e6b7)) ### 📚 Documentation * **dt:** add Method 5 Concepts and Method 6 Lo-Fi Prototypes instructions ([#693](#693)) ([cfdcf11](cfdcf11)) * **hve-guide:** add role-based guides and project lifecycle documentation ([#663](#663)) ([17a85da](17a85da)) ### ♻️ Refactoring * restructure RPI collection to HVE Core naming convention ([#668](#668)) ([120dde0](120dde0)) * **scripts:** consolidate duplicate logging into shared SecurityHelpers module ([#655](#655)) ([627a877](627a877)) * **scripts:** use shared SecurityHelpers and CIHelpers modules in security scripts ([#705](#705)) ([3a0baa7](3a0baa7)) ### 🔧 Maintenance * **deps-dev:** bump markdownlint-cli2 from 0.20.0 to 0.21.0 in the npm-dependencies group ([#609](#609)) ([1486dd7](1486dd7)) --- This PR was generated with [Release Please](https://github.com/googleapis/release-please). See [documentation](https://github.com/googleapis/release-please#release-please). Co-authored-by: hve-core-release-please[bot] <254602402+hve-core-release-please[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

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feat(instructions): add Design Thinking Method 2 Research instruction…

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fix(instructions): add punctuation for clarity in Design Research gui…

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/577-dt-method-02-research

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/577-dt-method-02-research

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chaosdinosaur added 2 commits February 17, 2026 16:53

feat(instructions): expand Method 2 Design Research with detailed pha…

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/577-dt-method-02-research

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This was referenced Feb 18, 2026

feat(instructions): add DT coaching state protocol for session persistence #654

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feat(agents): add DT coach agent with tiered instruction loading #656

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chaosdinosaur changed the base branch from main to epic/design-thinking-coaching February 18, 2026 16:59

feat(design-thinking): add coaching identity and methodology instruct…

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…ions for AI-enhanced design thinking

chaosdinosaur changed the base branch from epic/design-thinking-coaching to main February 18, 2026 21:15

chaosdinosaur added 2 commits February 18, 2026 21:18

Merge branch 'main' into feat/577-dt-method-02-research

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feat(instructions): reorder dt-quality-constraints and dt-method-02-r…

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…esearch in collection and README files

agreaves-ms approved these changes Feb 18, 2026

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chaosdinosaur merged commit 30f7f3b into microsoft:main Feb 18, 2026
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chaosdinosaur deleted the feat/577-dt-method-02-research branch February 18, 2026 22:24

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chore(main): release hve-core 3.0.0 #644

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