STATUS.md - Current State

Single source of truth for "what's happening now." Fast orientation for session continuity and handoffs.

Purpose

STATUS.md answers the critical question: "What's the current state of this project?"

It provides:

• Quick Reference - Auto-generated project overview
• Current phase - Where you are in development
• Active tasks - What's being worked on right now
• Blockers - What's preventing progress
• Next session - Clear starting point for resuming work

Goal: Any AI agent can read this file and be oriented in 2-3 minutes.

When to Update

Update STATUS.md:

• ✅ Every /save command (2-3 min, frequently)
• ✅ Every /save-full command (10-15 min, before breaks)
• ✅ When work in progress changes
• ✅ When blockers appear or resolve
• ✅ When moving to new development phase

This file should always be current - it's your safety net for session continuity.

File Structure

1. Quick Reference (Auto-Generated)

Project at a glance:

## 📊 Quick Reference

**Project:** TaskFlow - Async task management
**Phase:** MVP Development
**Status:** 🟢 Active
**Current Focus:** Payment integration with Stripe
**Last Session:** [Session 12 (2025-10-23)](#session-12--2025-10-23)

**Tech Stack:** Next.js 14, PostgreSQL, Redis, Stripe
**Repository:** https://github.com/user/taskflow
**Staging:** https://staging.taskflow.app
**Production:** https://taskflow.app

**Quick Links:**
- [Architecture Diagram](https://figma.com/file/abc...)
- [API Documentation](https://docs.taskflow.app)
- [Design System](https://storybook.taskflow.app)

How it's generated:

• Extracted from .context-config.json
• Merged with current STATUS.md data
• Updated automatically by /save and /save-full
• Parsed from headers and structured data

Why it matters:

• Instant project context
• No manual updating (auto-generated)
• Consistent format across projects

2. Current Phase

Where you are in development:

## Current Phase

**Phase:** MVP Development (Sprint 4 of 6)

**Sprint Goal:** Complete payment integration and checkout flow

**Target Date:** 2025-11-15 (3 weeks remaining)

**Definition of Done:**
- ✅ Stripe account integrated
- ✅ Checkout session creation
- 🔄 Webhook handling (in progress)
- ⏳ Order confirmation emails
- ⏳ End-to-end testing
- ⏳ Production deployment

Why it matters:

• Sets scope boundaries
• Shows progress toward goal
• Enables deadline tracking

3. Work In Progress

Active tasks right now:

## Work In Progress

**Current Sprint Tasks:**

### 🔄 In Progress
- **Stripe webhook handler** (Priority: High)
  - Listening for payment_intent.succeeded
  - Updating order status in database
  - Using idempotency keys for safety
  - Testing with Stripe CLI
  - ETA: 2 days

### ⏳ Up Next
- **Order confirmation email** (Priority: High)
  - SendGrid template created
  - Need to trigger from webhook
  - Include order details + receipt
  - ETA: 1 day

- **End-to-end checkout test** (Priority: Medium)
  - Test full flow: cart → checkout → payment → confirmation
  - Verify webhook handling
  - Check email delivery
  - ETA: 0.5 days

### ✅ Recently Completed
- Set up Stripe account and API keys (Oct 22)
- Implemented checkout session creation (Oct 23)
- Created webhook endpoint route (Oct 23)

Why it matters:

• Clear picture of active work
• Prioritization visible
• Progress tracking
• Resume point for next session

4. Blockers & Decisions

What's preventing progress:

## Blockers & Decisions Needed

### 🚧 Current Blockers

**BLOCKER-001: Webhook Retry Strategy**
- **Issue:** Stripe retries webhooks for up to 3 days
- **Impact:** Risk of duplicate order processing if not handled
- **Options:**
  - A) Process all retries (simple but risky)
  - B) Idempotency keys + deduplication (safer, more complex)
- **Blocking:** Order confirmation email (depends on webhook being reliable)
- **Decision needed:** Which approach to use?

### ⏰ Waiting On

**WAIT-001: Stripe Production Approval**
- Submitted: Oct 20
- Expected: Oct 27 (7 days)
- Impact: Can't deploy to production until approved
- Mitigation: Continue development in test mode

### ✅ Recently Resolved

**RESOLVED-001: Payment Currency**
- Decision: USD only for MVP (Oct 22)
- Rationale: Simpler, most users in US
- International support in v2.0

Why it matters:

• Identifies what's blocking progress
• Documents decisions needed
• Shows what's waiting on external factors
• Tracks resolution of blockers

5. Recent Accomplishments

What's been done recently:

## Recent Accomplishments

**This Week (Oct 21-27):**
- ✅ Integrated Stripe SDK and configured API keys
- ✅ Built checkout session creation endpoint
- ✅ Created webhook listener route
- ✅ Implemented basic order status tracking
- ✅ Added idempotency key generation

**Last Week (Oct 14-20):**
- ✅ Designed payment flow (cart → checkout → confirmation)
- ✅ Created order data model in PostgreSQL
- ✅ Built shopping cart API endpoints
- ✅ Implemented cart session management with Redis

Why it matters:

• Shows momentum
• Useful for status updates
• Helps with retrospectives
• Morale boost (visible progress)

6. Next Session

Where to start when you return:

## Next Session Start Point

**When you return, start here:**

1. **Read this STATUS.md** (you're doing it now! ✅)
2. **Check webhook handler progress:**
   - Review `app/api/webhooks/stripe/route.ts`
   - Test with Stripe CLI: `stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/api/webhooks/stripe`
   - Verify idempotency key checking works
3. **If webhook works, move to email:**
   - Trigger order confirmation email from webhook
   - Test email template rendering
   - Verify email delivery
4. **If stuck, see BLOCKER-001** (webhook retry strategy)

**Estimated session time:** 3-4 hours to complete webhook + email

**Context files to review:**
- DECISIONS.md: DEC-012 (Stripe integration approach)
- SESSIONS.md: Session 12 (webhook implementation details)

Why it matters:

• Zero orientation time
• Clear action items
• Immediate productivity
• No context loss

Auto-Generated Quick Reference

The Quick Reference section is automatically generated by /save and /save-full commands.

What Gets Extracted

From .context-config.json:

{
  "project": {
    "name": "TaskFlow",
    "description": "Async task management for remote teams",
    "repository": "https://github.com/user/taskflow"
  },
  "techStack": {
    "frontend": "Next.js 14",
    "backend": "PostgreSQL",
    "infrastructure": "Vercel"
  },
  "urls": {
    "staging": "https://staging.taskflow.app",
    "production": "https://taskflow.app"
  }
}

From STATUS.md itself:

## Current Phase
Phase: MVP Development

## Work In Progress
Current Focus: Payment integration with Stripe

Result:

## 📊 Quick Reference
**Project:** TaskFlow - Async task management for remote teams
**Phase:** MVP Development
**Status:** 🟢 Active
**Current Focus:** Payment integration with Stripe
**Tech Stack:** Next.js 14, PostgreSQL, Vercel

How It Works

1. /save or /save-full runs
2. scripts/update-quick-reference.sh executes
3. Reads .context-config.json
4. Parses STATUS.md for current phase/focus
5. Links to latest SESSIONS.md entry
6. Generates formatted Quick Reference
7. Updates STATUS.md in place

You never manually edit Quick Reference - it's always current.

Real-World Example

Complete STATUS.md for active project:

# Project Status

## 📊 Quick Reference

**Project:** TaskFlow - Async task management for remote teams
**Phase:** MVP Development (Sprint 4 of 6)
**Status:** 🟢 Active
**Current Focus:** Stripe payment integration
**Last Session:** [Session 12 (2025-10-23)](#session-12)

**Tech Stack:** Next.js 14, PostgreSQL, Redis, Stripe
**Repository:** https://github.com/acme/taskflow
**Staging:** https://staging.taskflow.app
**Production:** https://taskflow.app (not yet deployed)

**Quick Links:**
- [Figma Designs](https://figma.com/file/...)
- [API Docs](https://docs.taskflow.app)
- [Storybook](https://storybook.taskflow.app)

---

## Current Phase

**Phase:** MVP Development (Sprint 4 of 6)

**Sprint Goal:** Complete payment integration and checkout flow

**Target Date:** 2025-11-15 (3 weeks remaining)

**Sprint Scope:**
- ✅ Stripe account setup
- ✅ Checkout session creation
- 🔄 Webhook handling (in progress)
- ⏳ Order confirmation emails
- ⏳ End-to-end testing
- ⏳ Production deployment

**Post-MVP Roadmap:**
- v1.1: Recurring subscriptions
- v1.2: Team billing
- v2.0: Multi-currency support

---

## Work In Progress

### 🔄 Active Tasks

**HIGH: Stripe Webhook Handler**
- Implementing payment_intent.succeeded handler
- Using idempotency keys for duplicate prevention
- Database transaction for order status update
- Testing with Stripe CLI
- **ETA:** 2 days
- **Assigned:** Claude Code Session 12
- **Branch:** feature/stripe-webhooks

**MEDIUM: Order Confirmation Email**
- SendGrid template created
- Trigger from webhook on successful payment
- Include: order details, receipt, tracking info
- **ETA:** 1 day
- **Blocked by:** Webhook handler completion
- **Branch:** feature/order-emails

### ⏳ Queued (Up Next)

**End-to-End Testing**
- Full checkout flow test (cart → payment → email)
- Test error cases (failed payment, timeout, etc.)
- Verify webhook reliability
- **ETA:** 0.5 days

**Production Deployment**
- Stripe production keys
- Environment variable setup
- Deploy to Vercel
- DNS configuration
- **ETA:** 0.5 days
- **Blocked by:** Stripe production approval

### ✅ Recently Completed (This Sprint)

- Stripe SDK integration (Oct 22)
- Checkout session API endpoint (Oct 23)
- Webhook route creation (Oct 23)
- Idempotency key generation (Oct 23)
- Basic order status tracking (Oct 23)

---

## Blockers & Decisions

### 🚧 Active Blockers

**BLOCKER-001: Webhook Retry Strategy**
- **Issue:** Stripe retries failed webhooks for up to 3 days
- **Risk:** Duplicate order processing if webhook fires multiple times
- **Impact:** Blocking order confirmation email (need reliable webhook)
- **Options:**
  - A) Process all retries blindly (risky - could duplicate orders)
  - B) Check idempotency key + order status before processing (safer)
  - C) Use Stripe's idempotency guarantees + our own dedup (recommended)
- **Decision needed:** Which approach? Leaning toward C.
- **Research done:** Stripe docs, best practices articles
- **Timeline:** Need decision today to proceed with email

### ⏰ Waiting On

**WAIT-001: Stripe Production Account Approval**
- **Submitted:** Oct 20, 2025
- **Expected:** Oct 27, 2025 (7 business days)
- **Impact:** Cannot deploy to production
- **Mitigation:** Continue development in test mode
- **Fallback:** Manual approval request if delayed

### ✅ Recently Resolved

**RESOLVED-001: Payment Currency Support**
- **Resolved:** Oct 22, 2025
- **Decision:** USD only for MVP
- **Rationale:** 95% of beta users in US, simpler implementation
- **Future:** Multi-currency in v2.0
- **Documented:** DECISIONS.md DEC-012

---

## Recent Accomplishments

**Week of Oct 21-27 (Current):**
- ✅ Integrated Stripe SDK (checkout + webhooks)
- ✅ Built checkout session creation endpoint
- ✅ Created webhook listener route
- ✅ Implemented idempotency key system
- ✅ Added order status tracking in database
- 🔄 Webhook handler implementation (in progress)

**Week of Oct 14-20:**
- ✅ Designed end-to-end payment flow
- ✅ Created PostgreSQL order schema
- ✅ Built shopping cart API (CRUD operations)
- ✅ Implemented cart session management (Redis)
- ✅ Added cart item validation

**Week of Oct 7-13:**
- ✅ User authentication (email + OAuth)
- ✅ Product catalog API
- ✅ Product detail pages
- ✅ Image upload to Supabase Storage
- ✅ Basic search functionality

---

## Next Session Start Point

**When you return:**

1. ✅ **Read STATUS.md** (you're here!)
2. **Check webhook handler:**
   - File: `app/api/webhooks/stripe/route.ts`
   - Run Stripe CLI: `stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/api/webhooks/stripe`
   - Test payment flow: create test order, trigger webhook
   - Verify idempotency key prevents duplicates
3. **Resolve BLOCKER-001:**
   - Review Stripe docs on idempotency
   - Implement chosen retry strategy
   - Write test cases for duplicate webhooks
4. **Move to order email:**
   - Trigger SendGrid from webhook
   - Test template rendering
   - Verify delivery

**Estimated time:** 3-4 hours to complete webhook + email

**If stuck:**
- Review DECISIONS.md DEC-012 (Stripe integration rationale)
- Check SESSIONS.md Session 12 (webhook implementation notes)
- Stripe docs: https://stripe.com/docs/webhooks/best-practices

**Success criteria:**
- Webhook handles successful payments reliably
- No duplicate orders from retries
- Email sent immediately after payment
- Order status updates correctly

---

**Last Updated:** 2025-10-23 15:30 (Session 12)
**Next Review:** After webhook handler completion

Best Practices

1. Update Frequently

# Every 30-60 minutes during active work
/save

# Before any break (lunch, end of day, context switch)
/save-full

Why: STATUS.md should always reflect current reality.

2. Be Specific in Work In Progress

# Too vague:
- Working on webhooks

# Better:
- Implementing payment_intent.succeeded webhook handler
- Using idempotency keys for duplicate prevention
- Testing with Stripe CLI
- ETA: 2 days

3. Document Blockers Thoroughly

# Include:
- What's blocked
- Why it's blocked
- Impact (what can't proceed)
- Options being considered
- Decision timeline
- Who needs to decide

4. Keep Next Session Actionable

# Not helpful:
"Continue working on payments"

# Helpful:
"Test webhook with Stripe CLI:
 stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/api/webhooks/stripe
 Then verify idempotency key checking in route.ts"

5. Trust Auto-Generation

# Don't manually edit Quick Reference
# Let /save and /save-full handle it
# Update .context-config.json if base info changes

Integration with Other Files

STATUS.md works with:

• CONTEXT.md - References project overview (doesn't duplicate)
• DECISIONS.md - Links to relevant decisions (e.g., "See DEC-012")
• SESSIONS.md - Links to recent sessions for detailed history
• .context-config.json - Source data for auto-generated Quick Reference

Flow:

1. Work happens
2. /save updates STATUS.md + regenerates Quick Reference
3. /save-full also adds SESSIONS.md entry
4. STATUS.md always shows "now"
5. SESSIONS.md preserves history

Success Metric

"I can read STATUS.md and know exactly what's happening, what's blocking progress, and where to start—in under 3 minutes."

When this is true, STATUS.md is effective.

Next Steps

• DECISIONS.md Guide - Document decision rationale
• SESSIONS.md Guide - Session history
• /save Command - Quick STATUS.md updates
• /save-full Command - Comprehensive updates with sessions