Navigator SOP Creator Skill
Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - reusable documentation for processes, integrations, debugging solutions, and workflows.
When to Invoke
Invoke this skill when the user:
- Says "document this solution", "save this for next time"
- Says "create SOP", "make this reusable"
- Solves a novel issue and mentions "don't want to hit this again"
- Sets up integration and says "document the setup"
- Establishes pattern and mentions "team should follow this"
DO NOT invoke if:
- Creating task documentation (use nav-task skill)
- Updating architecture docs (different purpose)
- Simple bug fix with no reusable pattern
Execution Steps
Step 1: Determine SOP Category
Ask user which category (or infer from context):
Categories:
- integrations - Third-party service setups
- debugging - Common issues & solutions
- development - Dev workflows, patterns
- deployment - Deploy procedures, CI/CD
Examples:
- "How to set up Stripe webhooks" →
integrations/ - "Fixing CORS errors" →
debugging/ - "Testing authenticated routes" →
development/ - "Deploy to production" →
deployment/
Step 2: Determine SOP Name
If user provided name:
- Use their name (sanitize: lowercase, hyphens)
- Example: "Stripe Payment Setup" → "stripe-payment-setup"
If no name provided:
- Generate from context:
{service}-{action} - Example: "github-oauth-integration"
- Example: "cors-proxy-errors"
Step 3: Check if SOP Already Exists
Check existing SOPs in category:
ls .agent/sops/{category}/*.md 2>/dev/nullIf similar SOP exists:
⚠️ Similar SOP found:
.agent/sops/{category}/{similar-name}.md
Options:
1. Read existing SOP (don't duplicate)
2. Update existing SOP (add to it)
3. Create new SOP (different enough)
Your choice [1-3]:Step 4: Generate SOP Content
Create SOP document from conversation:
# {SOP Title}
**Category**: {integrations|debugging|development|deployment}
**Created**: {YYYY-MM-DD}
**Last Updated**: {YYYY-MM-DD}
---
## Context
**When to use this SOP**:
[Describe the scenario where this applies]
**Problem it solves**:
[What issue does this address?]
**Prerequisites**:
- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]
---
## The Problem
### Symptoms
[What does the issue look like?]
- Error message: `{specific error}`
- Behavior: [Unexpected behavior]
- Impact: [What breaks]
### Root Cause
[Why does this happen? Technical explanation]
---
## The Solution
### Step 1: {Action}
**Do this**:Command or code
npm install stripe
**Why**: [Explanation of what this accomplishes]
**Expected output**:
+ stripe@12.0.0 added 1 package
### Step 2: {Next Action}
**Do this**:
// Code example import Stripe from 'stripe';
const stripe = new Stripe(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY);
**Why**: [Explanation]
**Configuration**: Add to `.env`:
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_... STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET=whsec_...
### Step 3: {Continue...}
...
---
## Complete Example
### Full Working Code
**File**: `src/services/stripe.ts`
import Stripe from 'stripe';
export class StripeService { private stripe: Stripe;
constructor() { this.stripe = new Stripe(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY!, { apiVersion: '2023-10-16', }); }
async createPaymentIntent(amount: number) { return await this.stripe.paymentIntents.create({ amount: amount * 100, // Convert to cents currency: 'usd', }); } }
**File**: `src/routes/webhook.ts`
export async function handleStripeWebhook(req: Request, res: Response) { const sig = req.headers['stripe-signature'];
try { const event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent( req.body, sig, process.env.STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET! );
// Handle event switch (event.type) { case 'payment_intent.succeeded': // Process successful payment break; }
res.json({ received: true }); } catch (err) { res.status(400).send(Webhook Error: ${err.message}); } }
---
## Testing
### Verify It Works
**Test 1: Create payment intent**
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/create-payment \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"amount": 10}'
**Expected result**:
{ "clientSecret": "pi_xxx_secret_yyy" }
**Test 2: Webhook delivery**
stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/webhook
**Expected result**:
Ready! You are using Stripe API Version [2023-10-16]
---
## Prevention
**How to avoid this issue in future**:
- [Prevention strategy 1]
- [Prevention strategy 2]
**Red flags to watch for**:
- [Warning sign 1]
- [Warning sign 2]
---
## Troubleshooting
### Issue: Webhook signature verification fails
**Symptoms**:
Error: No signatures found matching the expected signature
**Cause**: Webhook secret mismatch or body already parsed
**Fix**:
// Use raw body for webhook verification app.post('/webhook', express.raw({type: 'application/json'}), handleStripeWebhook);
### Issue: Payment amount incorrect
**Symptoms**: Charged wrong amount
**Cause**: Forgot to convert to cents
**Fix**: Always multiply by 100 for Stripe amounts
---
## Related Documentation
**Stripe Docs**:
- [Payment Intents API](https://stripe.com/docs/api/payment_intents)
- [Webhooks Guide](https://stripe.com/docs/webhooks)
**Our Docs**:
- Task: `.agent/tasks/TASK-04-stripe-integration.md`
- System: `.agent/system/project-architecture.md` (payments section)
**External**:
- [Stripe Testing Cards](https://stripe.com/docs/testing)
---
## Maintenance Notes
**Update when**:
- Stripe API version changes
- Payment flow changes
- New webhook events added
**Owner**: [Team or person responsible]
---
**Last Updated**: {YYYY-MM-DD} **Tested With**: Stripe API v2023-10-16, Node.js v18+
Step 5: Save SOP File
Write to appropriate category:
Write(file_path: ".agent/sops/{category}/{name}.md", content: [generated SOP])
Filename: .agent/sops/{category}/{name}.md
Step 6: Update Navigator Index
Edit .agent/DEVELOPMENT-README.md to add SOP to index:
## Standard Operating Procedures
### Integrations
- **{Service}**: `.agent/sops/integrations/{name}.md` - {One-line description}
### Debugging
- **{Issue}**: `.agent/sops/debugging/{name}.md` - {Description}
### Development
...
### Deployment
...Step 7: Link to Related Task (If Applicable)
If SOP came from specific task, add reference:
In task doc:
## Related SOPs
- `.agent/sops/integrations/stripe-payment-setup.md`In SOP:
## Related Documentation
- Task: `.agent/tasks/TASK-04-stripe-integration.md`Cross-linking helps discoverability.
Step 8: Confirm Success
Show completion message:
✅ SOP created successfully!
Title: {SOP Title}
Category: {category}
File: .agent/sops/{category}/{name}.md
Size: {X} KB (~{Y} tokens)
📚 SOP includes:
- Problem description & symptoms
- Step-by-step solution
- Complete code examples
- Testing instructions
- Troubleshooting guide
🔗 Navigator index updated
[If linked: Linked to TASK-{XX}]
To reference later:
Read .agent/sops/{category}/{name}.mdSOP Categories Explained
1. integrations/
Purpose: How to set up third-party services
Examples:
stripe-payment-setup.mdgithub-oauth-integration.mdsendgrid-email-config.mdredis-session-store.md
Structure: Setup steps + Configuration + Testing
2. debugging/
Purpose: How to solve common issues
Examples:
cors-proxy-errors.mdjwt-token-expiration.mddatabase-connection-timeout.mdbuild-errors-typescript.md
Structure: Symptoms + Root cause + Fix + Prevention
3. development/
Purpose: Development workflows & patterns
Examples:
testing-authenticated-routes.mdadding-new-api-endpoint.mddatabase-migration-workflow.mdcomponent-testing-patterns.md
Structure: When to use + Steps + Example + Best practices
4. deployment/
Purpose: Deploy, CI/CD, infrastructure
Examples:
deploy-to-production.mdrollback-failed-deploy.mdsetup-github-actions.mdenvironment-variables.md
Structure: Prerequisites + Steps + Verification + Rollback
Common Use Cases
After Solving Tricky Bug
User: "Finally fixed CORS issue, save this so we don't hit it again"
→ Creates: .agent/sops/debugging/cors-proxy-errors.md
→ Captures: Error, root cause, fix, prevention
→ Team won't repeat mistakeAfter Integration Setup
User: "Stripe webhooks working, document the setup"
→ Creates: .agent/sops/integrations/stripe-webhooks.md
→ Captures: All config steps, code, testing
→ Next integration is copy-pasteEstablishing Team Pattern
User: "Document how we test protected routes"
→ Creates: .agent/sops/development/testing-auth-routes.md
→ Captures: Pattern, examples, best practices
→ Team follows consistent approachError Handling
Category directory doesn't exist:
Creating category: .agent/sops/{category}/
✅ Directory createdSOPs directory missing entirely:
❌ Navigator not initialized
Run /nav:init to create .agent/ structure.Duplicate SOP name:
⚠️ SOP already exists: {name}.md
Options:
1. Read existing (don't duplicate)
2. Update existing (add new info)
3. Rename new SOP ({name}-v2.md)
Your choice [1-3]:Success Criteria
SOP creation is successful when:
- SOP file created in correct category
- Contains all required sections
- Includes working code examples
- Testing instructions provided
- Navigator index updated
- Linked to related task (if applicable)
Scripts
generate_sop.py: Create SOP from conversation
- Input: Conversation, category, name
- Output: Formatted SOP markdown
Best Practices
Good SOP names:
stripe-payment-integration(specific, descriptive)cors-proxy-configuration(clear purpose)jwt-token-refresh(explains what)
Bad SOP names:
fix(too vague)integration(not specific)sop1(meaningless)
When to create SOPs:
- ✅ Solved novel issue (will happen again)
- ✅ Set up integration (reusable process)
- ✅ Established pattern (team should follow)
- ✅ Complex workflow (needs documentation)
- ❌ One-off bug (not reusable)
- ❌ Obvious solution (don't over-document)
SOP quality checklist:
- Clear problem description
- Step-by-step solution
- Complete code examples (copy-paste ready)
- Testing instructions
- Troubleshooting common issues
Notes
SOPs are living documents:
- Created when pattern established
- Updated when solution improves
- Referenced frequently by team
- Prevent repeated mistakes
They transform:
- Individual knowledge → Team knowledge
- One-time solution → Reusable process
- Tribal knowledge → Documented procedure
Impact: Zero repeated mistakes over time
This skill provides same functionality as /nav:doc sop command but with natural language invocation.