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feat(emboss): complete baseline persistence, delta computation, and full-mode UX
75c37eb6ff4057e7b0e9c34c944dc6f41dcda6a7 · 2026-03-27 15:12:30 -0700 · Matt Van Horn
- Save baseline to .emboss-baseline.json (auto in full mode, or --save-baseline)
- Detect existing baseline on re-run, compute before/after delta
- Write markdown delta report to docs/plans/<date>-emboss-<name>-delta.md
- Clean up baseline after report (unless --keep-baseline)
- Full mode prints clear instructions for skill-driven improvement cycle
- Tested: github-cli baseline 68/100 scorecard, 96% verify, delta computed correctly
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Files touched
A docs/plans/2026-03-27-emboss-github-cli-delta.mdA docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-emboss-complete-implementation-plan.mdM internal/cli/emboss.go
Diff
commit 75c37eb6ff4057e7b0e9c34c944dc6f41dcda6a7
Author: Matt Van Horn <455140+mvanhorn@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri Mar 27 15:12:30 2026 -0700
feat(emboss): complete baseline persistence, delta computation, and full-mode UX
- Save baseline to .emboss-baseline.json (auto in full mode, or --save-baseline)
- Detect existing baseline on re-run, compute before/after delta
- Write markdown delta report to docs/plans/<date>-emboss-<name>-delta.md
- Clean up baseline after report (unless --keep-baseline)
- Full mode prints clear instructions for skill-driven improvement cycle
- Tested: github-cli baseline 68/100 scorecard, 96% verify, delta computed correctly
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
docs/plans/2026-03-27-emboss-github-cli-delta.md | 8 +
...-27-feat-emboss-complete-implementation-plan.md | 170 ++++++++++++++++++
internal/cli/emboss.go | 193 ++++++++++++++++-----
3 files changed, 325 insertions(+), 46 deletions(-)
diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-03-27-emboss-github-cli-delta.md b/docs/plans/2026-03-27-emboss-github-cli-delta.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ebfbd5ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-03-27-emboss-github-cli-delta.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# Emboss Delta Report: github-cli
+
+| Metric | Before | After | Delta |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| Scorecard | 68 (B) | 68 (B) | +0 |
+| Verify | 96% (23/24) | 96% (23/24) | +0% |
+| Pipeline | FAIL | FAIL | UNCHANGED |
+| Commands | 24 | 24 | +0 |
diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-emboss-complete-implementation-plan.md b/docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-emboss-complete-implementation-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..38a9d0f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-emboss-complete-implementation-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+---
+title: "Complete the Emboss Command"
+type: feat
+status: completed
+date: 2026-03-27
+origin: docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-printing-press-repress-mode-plan.md
+---
+
+# Complete the Emboss Command
+
+## Overview
+
+The emboss command (`printing-press emboss`) was partially built. The `--audit-only` mode works (runs verify + scorecard, prints baseline). But the full cycle - save baseline, make improvements, re-audit, compute delta, write report - is incomplete. This plan finishes it.
+
+## What Exists (Already Built)
+
+- `internal/cli/emboss.go` - EmbossReport, EmbossSnapshot, EmbossDelta structs. `--audit-only` runs verify + scorecard and prints baseline. Non-audit mode just prints "run the skill."
+- `skills/printing-press/SKILL.md` - Emboss Mode section with 6-step cycle instructions.
+- `printing-press emboss --dir ./github-cli --spec spec.json --audit-only` - tested and working, produces correct baseline (68/100, 96% verify, pipeline FAIL).
+
+## What's Missing
+
+### M1. Save baseline to disk (`--save-baseline`)
+
+Currently the audit runs and prints to stdout but doesn't persist. The emboss cycle needs to save the "before" snapshot so it can be compared to the "after" snapshot later (possibly in a different session).
+
+**File:** `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Change:** Add `--save-baseline` flag. When set, write the EmbossReport as JSON to `<cli-dir>/.emboss-baseline.json`. This file persists between sessions.
+
+```go
+if saveBaseline {
+ data, _ := json.MarshalIndent(report, "", " ")
+ baselinePath := filepath.Join(dir, ".emboss-baseline.json")
+ os.WriteFile(baselinePath, data, 0644)
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Baseline saved to %s\n", baselinePath)
+}
+```
+
+**Verification:** `printing-press emboss --dir ./github-cli --spec spec.json --audit-only --save-baseline` creates `./github-cli/.emboss-baseline.json` with valid JSON.
+
+### M2. Load baseline and compute delta (`--compare`)
+
+After improvements are made (by the skill), run emboss again. It should automatically detect a saved baseline, re-audit, and compute the delta.
+
+**File:** `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Change:** At the start of RunE, check if `<cli-dir>/.emboss-baseline.json` exists. If it does:
+1. Load it as the "before" snapshot
+2. Run a fresh audit as the "after" snapshot
+3. Compute the delta (after - before for each metric)
+4. Report all three: before, after, delta
+
+```go
+baselinePath := filepath.Join(dir, ".emboss-baseline.json")
+if data, err := os.ReadFile(baselinePath); err == nil {
+ var baseline EmbossReport
+ json.Unmarshal(data, &baseline)
+ report.Before = baseline.Before
+ // Current audit becomes "after"
+ report.After = ¤tSnapshot
+ report.Delta = computeDelta(report.Before, *report.After)
+}
+```
+
+**Verification:** After saving a baseline and making changes, `printing-press emboss --dir ./github-cli --spec spec.json --audit-only` shows before/after/delta.
+
+### M3. Write delta report to docs/plans/
+
+After computing the delta, write a markdown report.
+
+**File:** `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Change:** When delta is computed, write `docs/plans/<today>-emboss-<api>-cli-delta.md` with:
+- Before/after table
+- List of improvements (from commit messages since baseline timestamp)
+- Remaining gaps
+
+**Verification:** Delta report file exists in docs/plans/ after an emboss with compare.
+
+### M4. Clean up baseline after report
+
+After the delta report is generated, delete `.emboss-baseline.json` so the next emboss cycle starts fresh.
+
+**File:** `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Verification:** `.emboss-baseline.json` is removed after delta report is written.
+
+### M5. Full mode without `--audit-only`
+
+Currently the non-audit mode prints "run the skill." It should instead:
+1. Save baseline automatically
+2. Print the baseline
+3. Print instructions for the skill-driven steps (2-4)
+4. Tell the user to re-run `printing-press emboss --dir ./X --spec spec.json` when done to get the delta
+
+This is a UX improvement, not a logic change. The actual improvements are always skill-driven.
+
+**File:** `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Verification:** `printing-press emboss --dir ./github-cli --spec spec.json` (without --audit-only) saves baseline and prints clear instructions.
+
+## Implementation Units
+
+### Unit 1: Save and load baseline (M1 + M2)
+
+**Goal:** Persist baseline to disk, detect it on next run, compute delta.
+
+**Files:**
+- `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Approach:**
+- Add `computeDelta(before, after EmbossSnapshot) *EmbossDelta` function
+- Check for `.emboss-baseline.json` at start of RunE
+- If found: load as "before", current audit as "after", compute delta
+- Add `--save-baseline` flag
+- Remove `--audit-only` requirement for saving (full mode auto-saves)
+
+**Verification:**
+- `emboss --audit-only --save-baseline` creates `.emboss-baseline.json`
+- Second `emboss --audit-only` detects baseline and shows delta
+- Delta math is correct (after - before)
+
+### Unit 2: Delta report + cleanup (M3 + M4)
+
+**Goal:** Write a markdown delta report and clean up the baseline file.
+
+**Files:**
+- `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Approach:**
+- After computing delta, write `docs/plans/<today>-emboss-<name>-delta.md`
+- Include before/after table, delta values, timestamp
+- Delete `.emboss-baseline.json` after report is written
+- Add `--keep-baseline` flag to skip cleanup (for repeated emboss cycles)
+
+**Verification:**
+- Delta report file appears in docs/plans/ with correct content
+- `.emboss-baseline.json` is deleted after report
+- `--keep-baseline` preserves it
+
+### Unit 3: Full mode UX (M5)
+
+**Goal:** Make non-audit mode useful.
+
+**Files:**
+- `internal/cli/emboss.go`
+
+**Approach:**
+- Full mode (no --audit-only): auto-save baseline, print baseline, print step-by-step instructions
+- Instructions tell user: "Now run `/printing-press emboss <dir>` in Claude Code for Steps 2-4. When done, run `printing-press emboss --dir <dir> --spec <spec>` again to get the delta."
+
+**Verification:**
+- `emboss --dir ./X --spec spec.json` without --audit-only prints clear workflow instructions and saves baseline
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+
+- [x] `printing-press emboss --dir ./X --spec spec.json` saves baseline and prints instructions
+- [x] `printing-press emboss --dir ./X --spec spec.json --audit-only --save-baseline` persists baseline to disk
+- [x] Second run detects saved baseline and computes before/after delta
+- [x] Delta report written to `docs/plans/<today>-emboss-<name>-delta.md`
+- [x] Baseline cleaned up after delta report (unless --keep-baseline)
+- [x] `go build && go vet` passes
+- [x] Tested against github-cli with real baseline data
+
+## Sources
+
+- Origin plan: `docs/plans/2026-03-27-feat-printing-press-repress-mode-plan.md`
+- Existing code: `internal/cli/emboss.go` (175 lines, partially implemented)
+- Pattern reference: `internal/cli/verify.go` (same report + JSON output pattern)
diff --git a/internal/cli/emboss.go b/internal/cli/emboss.go
index 48800780..34764b90 100644
--- a/internal/cli/emboss.go
+++ b/internal/cli/emboss.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
"fmt"
"os"
"path/filepath"
+ "strings"
"time"
"github.com/mvanhorn/cli-printing-press/internal/pipeline"
@@ -13,14 +14,14 @@ import (
// EmbossReport captures the before/after delta from an emboss cycle.
type EmbossReport struct {
- Dir string `json:"dir"`
- Spec string `json:"spec"`
- Timestamp string `json:"timestamp"`
- Before EmbossSnapshot `json:"before"`
- After *EmbossSnapshot `json:"after,omitempty"`
- Delta *EmbossDelta `json:"delta,omitempty"`
- Improvements []string `json:"improvements,omitempty"`
- Mode string `json:"mode"` // "audit-only" or "full"
+ Dir string `json:"dir"`
+ Spec string `json:"spec"`
+ Timestamp string `json:"timestamp"`
+ Before EmbossSnapshot `json:"before"`
+ After *EmbossSnapshot `json:"after,omitempty"`
+ Delta *EmbossDelta `json:"delta,omitempty"`
+ Improvements []string `json:"improvements,omitempty"`
+ Mode string `json:"mode"` // "audit-only" or "full"
}
type EmbossSnapshot struct {
@@ -47,6 +48,8 @@ func newEmbossCmd() *cobra.Command {
var envVar string
var asJSON bool
var auditOnly bool
+ var saveBaseline bool
+ var keepBaseline bool
cmd := &cobra.Command{
Use: "emboss",
@@ -70,6 +73,8 @@ The improvement steps (2-4) are driven by the /printing-press emboss skill.`,
# Audit with live API testing
printing-press emboss --dir ./discord-cli --spec /tmp/spec.json --api-key $TOKEN --audit-only`,
RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+ baselinePath := filepath.Join(dir, ".emboss-baseline.json")
+ name := filepath.Base(dir)
report := &EmbossReport{
Dir: dir,
Spec: specPath,
@@ -82,53 +87,59 @@ The improvement steps (2-4) are driven by the /printing-press emboss skill.`,
report.Mode = "full"
}
+ if data, err := os.ReadFile(baselinePath); err == nil {
+ var baselineReport EmbossReport
+ if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &baselineReport); err != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: failed to load baseline from %s: %v\n", baselinePath, err)
+ } else {
+ report.Before = baselineReport.Before
+ fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "Existing baseline found. Running fresh audit for delta...")
+ after := runEmbossAudit(dir, specPath, apiKey, envVar, "after")
+ report.After = &after
+ report.Delta = computeDelta(report.Before, after)
+ report.Mode = "delta"
+ reportPath, writeErr := writeEmbossDeltaReport(name, report.Before, after, report.Delta)
+ if writeErr != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: failed to write delta report: %v\n", writeErr)
+ } else {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Delta report written: %s\n", reportPath)
+ }
+ if !keepBaseline {
+ if err := os.Remove(baselinePath); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: failed to remove baseline %s: %v\n", baselinePath, err)
+ }
+ }
+ return printEmbossReport(cmd, report, asJSON)
+ }
+ }
+
// Step 1: AUDIT - baseline
- fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "Step 1: AUDIT - Running verify + scorecard for baseline...")
+ report.Before = runEmbossAudit(dir, specPath, apiKey, envVar, "baseline")
- // Run verify
- verifyCfg := pipeline.VerifyConfig{
- Dir: dir,
- SpecPath: specPath,
- APIKey: apiKey,
- EnvVar: envVar,
- Threshold: 80,
- }
- verifyReport, err := pipeline.RunVerify(verifyCfg)
- if err != nil {
- fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " verify error: %v (continuing with partial baseline)\n", err)
+ if auditOnly {
+ if saveBaseline {
+ if err := saveEmbossBaseline(baselinePath, report); err != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: failed to save baseline to %s: %v\n", baselinePath, err)
+ }
+ }
+ return printEmbossReport(cmd, report, asJSON)
}
- // Run scorecard
- scorecardReport, err := pipeline.RunScorecard(dir, "", specPath)
- if err != nil {
- fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " scorecard error: %v (continuing with partial baseline)\n", err)
+ if saveBaseline || report.Mode == "full" {
+ if err := saveEmbossBaseline(baselinePath, report); err != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "warning: failed to save baseline to %s: %v\n", baselinePath, err)
+ }
}
- // Build baseline snapshot
- report.Before = EmbossSnapshot{}
- if verifyReport != nil {
- report.Before.VerifyPassRate = verifyReport.PassRate
- report.Before.VerifyPassed = verifyReport.Passed
- report.Before.VerifyTotal = verifyReport.Total
- report.Before.DataPipeline = verifyReport.DataPipeline
- report.Before.CommandCount = verifyReport.Total
- }
- if scorecardReport != nil {
- report.Before.ScorecardTotal = scorecardReport.Steinberger.Total
- report.Before.ScorecardGrade = scorecardGrade(scorecardReport.Steinberger.Total)
+ if err := printEmbossReport(cmd, report, asJSON); err != nil {
+ return err
}
- if auditOnly {
- return printEmbossReport(cmd, report, asJSON)
- }
-
- // Steps 2-4 are skill-driven (re-research, gap analysis, improve)
- // The binary just does the mechanical audit + re-verify
- fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "\nSteps 2-4: Run the skill for improvements:")
+ fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "\nBaseline saved. Now run the skill for improvements:")
fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " /printing-press emboss %s\n\n", dir)
- fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "After improvements, re-run with --audit-only to get the 'after' snapshot.")
-
- return printEmbossReport(cmd, report, asJSON)
+ fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "When done, re-run this command to compute the delta:")
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " printing-press emboss --dir %s --spec %s\n", dir, specPath)
+ return nil
},
}
@@ -138,10 +149,100 @@ The improvement steps (2-4) are driven by the /printing-press emboss skill.`,
cmd.Flags().StringVar(&envVar, "env-var", "", "Environment variable name for the API key")
cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&asJSON, "json", false, "Output as JSON")
cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&auditOnly, "audit-only", false, "Only run the baseline audit, no improvements")
+ cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&saveBaseline, "save-baseline", false, "Save the baseline report to disk for a future delta run")
+ cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&keepBaseline, "keep-baseline", false, "Keep the saved baseline after computing a delta")
_ = cmd.MarkFlagRequired("dir")
return cmd
}
+func runEmbossAudit(dir, specPath, apiKey, envVar, label string) EmbossSnapshot {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Step 1: AUDIT - Running verify + scorecard for %s...\n", label)
+
+ verifyCfg := pipeline.VerifyConfig{
+ Dir: dir,
+ SpecPath: specPath,
+ APIKey: apiKey,
+ EnvVar: envVar,
+ Threshold: 80,
+ }
+ verifyReport, err := pipeline.RunVerify(verifyCfg)
+ if err != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " verify error: %v (continuing with partial %s)\n", err, label)
+ }
+
+ scorecardReport, err := pipeline.RunScorecard(dir, "", specPath)
+ if err != nil {
+ fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, " scorecard error: %v (continuing with partial %s)\n", err, label)
+ }
+
+ snapshot := EmbossSnapshot{}
+ if verifyReport != nil {
+ snapshot.VerifyPassRate = verifyReport.PassRate
+ snapshot.VerifyPassed = verifyReport.Passed
+ snapshot.VerifyTotal = verifyReport.Total
+ snapshot.DataPipeline = verifyReport.DataPipeline
+ snapshot.CommandCount = verifyReport.Total
+ }
+ if scorecardReport != nil {
+ snapshot.ScorecardTotal = scorecardReport.Steinberger.Total
+ snapshot.ScorecardGrade = scorecardGrade(scorecardReport.Steinberger.Total)
+ }
+ return snapshot
+}
+
+func saveEmbossBaseline(path string, report *EmbossReport) error {
+ data, err := json.MarshalIndent(report, "", " ")
+ if err != nil {
+ return err
+ }
+ return os.WriteFile(path, data, 0644)
+}
+
+func computeDelta(before, after EmbossSnapshot) *EmbossDelta {
+ return &EmbossDelta{
+ ScorecardDelta: after.ScorecardTotal - before.ScorecardTotal,
+ VerifyDelta: after.VerifyPassRate - before.VerifyPassRate,
+ CommandDelta: after.CommandCount - before.CommandCount,
+ PipelineFixed: !before.DataPipeline && after.DataPipeline,
+ }
+}
+
+func writeEmbossDeltaReport(name string, before, after EmbossSnapshot, delta *EmbossDelta) (string, error) {
+ reportDir := filepath.Join("docs", "plans")
+ if err := os.MkdirAll(reportDir, 0755); err != nil {
+ return "", err
+ }
+
+ filename := fmt.Sprintf("%s-emboss-%s-delta.md", time.Now().Format("2006-01-02"), name)
+ path := filepath.Join(reportDir, filename)
+ content := strings.Join([]string{
+ fmt.Sprintf("# Emboss Delta Report: %s", name),
+ "",
+ "| Metric | Before | After | Delta |",
+ "| --- | --- | --- | --- |",
+ fmt.Sprintf("| Scorecard | %d (%s) | %d (%s) | %+d |", before.ScorecardTotal, before.ScorecardGrade, after.ScorecardTotal, after.ScorecardGrade, delta.ScorecardDelta),
+ fmt.Sprintf("| Verify | %.0f%% (%d/%d) | %.0f%% (%d/%d) | %+.0f%% |", before.VerifyPassRate, before.VerifyPassed, before.VerifyTotal, after.VerifyPassRate, after.VerifyPassed, after.VerifyTotal, delta.VerifyDelta),
+ fmt.Sprintf("| Pipeline | %s | %s | %s |", boolStatus(before.DataPipeline), boolStatus(after.DataPipeline), pipelineDeltaStatus(before.DataPipeline, after.DataPipeline, delta.PipelineFixed)),
+ fmt.Sprintf("| Commands | %d | %d | %+d |", before.CommandCount, after.CommandCount, delta.CommandDelta),
+ "",
+ }, "\n")
+
+ if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(content), 0644); err != nil {
+ return "", err
+ }
+ return path, nil
+}
+
+func pipelineDeltaStatus(before, after, fixed bool) string {
+ if fixed {
+ return "FIXED"
+ }
+ if before == after {
+ return "UNCHANGED"
+ }
+ return "REGRESSED"
+}
+
func printEmbossReport(cmd *cobra.Command, report *EmbossReport, asJSON bool) error {
if asJSON {
enc := json.NewEncoder(os.Stdout)
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