feat(instructions): add Method 3 Input Synthesis coaching knowledge by chaosdinosaur · Pull Request #653 · microsoft/hve-core

chaosdinosaur · 2026-02-18T00:36:54Z

Pull Request

Description

Add dt-method-03-synthesis.instructions.md with method-tier coaching knowledge for Design Thinking Method 3.

Pattern recognition framework: data source integration and theme development
Systematic synthesis process: input organization, pattern recognition, unified insight development
Five-dimension synthesis validation: research fidelity, stakeholder completeness, pattern robustness, actionability, team alignment
Coaching patterns: multi-source validation, stakeholder balance, context preservation, pattern honesty
Human-AI collaboration sequence for synthesis work
Problem-to-Solution Space transition readiness signals (critical boundary)
Method 2 input requirements and Method 4 output deliverables

Related Issue(s)

Closes #578

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-03*' (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-03-synthesis.instructions.md with method-tier coaching knowledge for Design Thinking Method 3. Covers pattern recognition framework, systematic synthesis process, five-dimension validation assessment, human-AI collaboration patterns, and Problem-to-Solution Space transition readiness signals. Closes microsoft#578 🤖 Generated by Copilot

…e README

Copilot

Pull request overview

Adds a new Design Thinking Method 3 (Input Synthesis) method-tier instructions file and wires it into the hve-core-all collection/plugin so it ships with the extension packaging.

Changes:

Add dt-method-03-synthesis.instructions.md under .github/instructions/design-thinking/ with coaching guidance for synthesis and transition readiness.
Register the new instruction in collections/hve-core-all.collection.yml.
Update plugins/hve-core-all outputs (instruction link + README instruction list entry).

Reviewed changes

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

File	Description
`.github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-03-synthesis.instructions.md`	New method-tier instructions for DT Method 3 synthesis coaching and validation.
`collections/hve-core-all.collection.yml`	Includes the new instruction in the `hve-core-all` collection manifest.
`plugins/hve-core-all/README.md`	Adds the instruction to the plugin’s published instruction list.
`plugins/hve-core-all/instructions/dt-method-03-synthesis.md`	Plugin instruction entry pointing at the new source instructions file.

.github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-03-synthesis.instructions.md

codecov-commenter · 2026-02-18T00:45:45Z

Codecov Report

✅ All modified and coverable lines are covered by tests.
✅ Project coverage is 85.99%. Comparing base (30f7f3b) to head (52e5c74).
⚠️ Report is 1 commits behind head on main.

Additional details and impacted files

@@            Coverage Diff             @@
##             main     #653      +/-   ##
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- Coverage   86.01%   85.99%   -0.03%     
==========================================
  Files          24       24              
  Lines        4727     4727              
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- Hits         4066     4065       -1     
- Misses        661      662       +1

Flag	Coverage Δ
pester	`85.99% <ø> (-0.03%)`	⬇️

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see 1 file with indirect coverage changes

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…structions.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.

WilliamBerryiii · 2026-02-18T20:20:00Z

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.

…ate collection references

…update README description

…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>

chaosdinosaur added 2 commits February 17, 2026 16:32

feat(instructions): add DT Method 03 Synthesis instructions and updat…

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…e README

chaosdinosaur requested a review from a team as a code owner February 18, 2026 00:36

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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chaosdinosaur and others added 2 commits February 17, 2026 17:04

Update .github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-03-synthesis.in…

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

Update .github/instructions/design-thinking/dt-method-03-synthesis.in…

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

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feat(instructions): expand Method 3 synthesis phases and coaching roles

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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

chaosdinosaur added 2 commits February 18, 2026 13:26

Merge branch 'main' into feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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feat(instructions): add Method 3 Input Synthesis instructions and upd…

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…ate collection references

chaosdinosaur changed the base branch from epic/design-thinking-coaching to main February 18, 2026 21:30

chaosdinosaur added 2 commits February 18, 2026 21:32

Merge branch 'main' into feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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feat(instructions): reorder dt-quality-constraints in collection and …

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…update README description

agreaves-ms approved these changes Feb 18, 2026

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Merge branch 'main' into feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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WilliamBerryiii merged commit 1efdb7d into microsoft:main Feb 18, 2026
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chore(main): release hve-core 3.0.0 #644

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chaosdinosaur deleted the feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis branch February 24, 2026 18:50

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feat(instructions): add Method 3 Input Synthesis coaching knowledge#653

feat(instructions): add Method 3 Input Synthesis coaching knowledge#653
WilliamBerryiii merged 12 commits intomicrosoft:mainfrom
chaosdinosaur:feat/578-dt-method-03-synthesis

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chaosdinosaur commented Feb 18, 2026 •

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