Accept story 36: Enforce Front Matter on All Story Files

Add POST /workflow/stories/create endpoint that auto-assigns story
numbers, generates correct front matter, and writes to upcoming/.
Add slugify_name and next_story_number helpers with full test coverage.
Add frontend createStory API method and types.
Update README to recommend creation API for agents.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.story_kit/README.md

@@ -45,7 +45,15 @@ When the user asks for a feature, follow this 4-step loop strictly:
 
 ### Step 1: The Story (Ingest)
 *   **User Input:** "I want the robot to dance."
-*   **Action:** Create a file in `stories/upcoming/` (e.g., `stories/upcoming/XX_robot_dance.md`).
+*   **Action:** Create a story via `POST /api/workflow/stories/create` (preferred for agents — guarantees correct front matter and auto-assigns the story number). Alternatively, create a file manually in `stories/upcoming/` (e.g., `stories/upcoming/XX_robot_dance.md`).
+*   **Front Matter (Required):** Every story file MUST begin with YAML front matter containing `name` and `test_plan` fields:
+    ```yaml
+    ---
+    name: Short Human-Readable Story Name
+    test_plan: pending
+    ---
+    ```
+    The `test_plan` field tracks approval status: `pending` → `approved` (after Step 2).
 *   **Move to Current:** Once the story is validated and ready for coding, move it to `stories/current/`.
 *   **Tracking:** Mark Acceptance Criteria as tested directly in the story file as tests are completed.
 *   **Content:**

frontend/src/api/workflow.ts

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ export interface StoryTodosResponse {
 	story_id: string;
 	story_name: string | null;
 	todos: string[];
+	error: string | null;
 }
 
 export interface TodoListResponse {
@@ -75,12 +76,33 @@ export interface TodoListResponse {
 export interface UpcomingStory {
 	story_id: string;
 	name: string | null;
+	error: string | null;
 }
 
 export interface UpcomingStoriesResponse {
 	stories: UpcomingStory[];
 }
 
+export interface StoryValidationResult {
+	story_id: string;
+	valid: boolean;
+	error: string | null;
+}
+
+export interface ValidateStoriesResponse {
+	stories: StoryValidationResult[];
+}
+
+export interface CreateStoryPayload {
+	name: string;
+	user_story?: string | null;
+	acceptance_criteria?: string[] | null;
+}
+
+export interface CreateStoryResponse {
+	story_id: string;
+}
+
 const DEFAULT_API_BASE = "/api";
 
 function buildApiUrl(path: string, baseUrl = DEFAULT_API_BASE): string {
@@ -160,4 +182,18 @@ export const workflowApi = {
 	getStoryTodos(baseUrl?: string) {
 		return requestJson<TodoListResponse>("/workflow/todos", {}, baseUrl);
 	},
+	validateStories(baseUrl?: string) {
+		return requestJson<ValidateStoriesResponse>(
+			"/workflow/stories/validate",
+			{},
+			baseUrl,
+		);
+	},
+	createStory(payload: CreateStoryPayload, baseUrl?: string) {
+		return requestJson<CreateStoryResponse>(
+			"/workflow/stories/create",
+			{ method: "POST", body: JSON.stringify(payload) },
+			baseUrl,
+		);
+	},
 };

server/src/http/workflow.rs

@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ struct StoryTodosResponse {
     pub story_id: String,
     pub story_name: Option<String>,
     pub todos: Vec<String>,
+    pub error: Option<String>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Object)]
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ struct TodoListResponse {
 struct UpcomingStory {
     pub story_id: String,
     pub name: Option<String>,
+    pub error: Option<String>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Object)]
@@ -110,6 +112,30 @@ struct UpcomingStoriesResponse {
     pub stories: Vec<UpcomingStory>,
 }
 
+#[derive(Deserialize, Object)]
+struct CreateStoryPayload {
+    pub name: String,
+    pub user_story: Option<String>,
+    pub acceptance_criteria: Option<Vec<String>>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Object)]
+struct CreateStoryResponse {
+    pub story_id: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Object)]
+struct StoryValidationResult {
+    pub story_id: String,
+    pub valid: bool,
+    pub error: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Object)]
+struct ValidateStoriesResponse {
+    pub stories: Vec<StoryValidationResult>,
+}
+
 fn load_upcoming_stories(ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<Vec<UpcomingStory>, String> {
     let root = ctx.state.get_project_root()?;
     let upcoming_dir = root.join(".story_kit").join("stories").join("upcoming");
@@ -134,10 +160,11 @@ fn load_upcoming_stories(ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<Vec<UpcomingStory>, String>
             .to_string();
         let contents = fs::read_to_string(&path)
             .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read story file {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
-        let name = parse_front_matter(&contents)
+        let (name, error) = match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
-            .ok()
+            Ok(meta) => (meta.name, None),
-            .and_then(|meta| meta.name);
+            Err(e) => (None, Some(e.to_string())),
-        stories.push(UpcomingStory { story_id, name });
+        };
+        stories.push(UpcomingStory { story_id, name, error });
     }
 
     stories.sort_by(|a, b| a.story_id.cmp(&b.story_id));
@@ -491,14 +518,16 @@ impl WorkflowApi {
                 .to_string();
             let contents = fs::read_to_string(&path)
                 .map_err(|e| bad_request(format!("Failed to read {}: {e}", path.display())))?;
-            let story_name = parse_front_matter(&contents)
+            let (story_name, error) = match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
-                .ok()
+                Ok(m) => (m.name, None),
-                .and_then(|m| m.name);
+                Err(e) => (None, Some(e.to_string())),
+            };
             let todos = parse_unchecked_todos(&contents);
             stories.push(StoryTodosResponse {
                 story_id,
                 story_name,
                 todos,
+                error,
             });
         }
 
@@ -512,6 +541,80 @@ impl WorkflowApi {
         Ok(Json(UpcomingStoriesResponse { stories }))
     }
 
+    /// Validate front matter on all current and upcoming story files.
+    #[oai(path = "/workflow/stories/validate", method = "get")]
+    async fn validate_stories(&self) -> OpenApiResult<Json<ValidateStoriesResponse>> {
+        let root = self.ctx.state.get_project_root().map_err(bad_request)?;
+        let stories = validate_story_dirs(&root).map_err(bad_request)?;
+        Ok(Json(ValidateStoriesResponse { stories }))
+    }
+
+    /// Create a new story file with correct front matter in upcoming/.
+    #[oai(path = "/workflow/stories/create", method = "post")]
+    async fn create_story(
+        &self,
+        payload: Json<CreateStoryPayload>,
+    ) -> OpenApiResult<Json<CreateStoryResponse>> {
+        let root = self.ctx.state.get_project_root().map_err(bad_request)?;
+        let story_number = next_story_number(&root).map_err(bad_request)?;
+        let slug = slugify_name(&payload.0.name);
+
+        if slug.is_empty() {
+            return Err(bad_request("Name must contain at least one alphanumeric character.".to_string()));
+        }
+
+        let filename = format!("{story_number}_{slug}.md");
+        let upcoming_dir = root.join(".story_kit").join("stories").join("upcoming");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&upcoming_dir)
+            .map_err(|e| bad_request(format!("Failed to create upcoming directory: {e}")))?;
+
+        let filepath = upcoming_dir.join(&filename);
+        if filepath.exists() {
+            return Err(bad_request(format!("Story file already exists: {filename}")));
+        }
+
+        let story_id = filepath
+            .file_stem()
+            .and_then(|s| s.to_str())
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .to_string();
+
+        // Build file content
+        let mut content = String::new();
+        content.push_str("---\n");
+        content.push_str(&format!("name: {}\n", payload.0.name));
+        content.push_str("test_plan: pending\n");
+        content.push_str("---\n\n");
+        content.push_str(&format!("# Story {story_number}: {}\n\n", payload.0.name));
+
+        content.push_str("## User Story\n\n");
+        if let Some(ref us) = payload.0.user_story {
+            content.push_str(us);
+            content.push('\n');
+        } else {
+            content.push_str("As a ..., I want ..., so that ...\n");
+        }
+        content.push('\n');
+
+        content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+        if let Some(ref criteria) = payload.0.acceptance_criteria {
+            for criterion in criteria {
+                content.push_str(&format!("- [ ] {criterion}\n"));
+            }
+        } else {
+            content.push_str("- [ ] TODO\n");
+        }
+        content.push('\n');
+
+        content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
+        content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+
+        fs::write(&filepath, &content)
+            .map_err(|e| bad_request(format!("Failed to write story file: {e}")))?;
+
+        Ok(Json(CreateStoryResponse { story_id }))
+    }
+
     /// Ensure a story can be accepted; returns an error when gates fail.
     #[oai(path = "/workflow/acceptance/ensure", method = "post")]
     async fn ensure_acceptance(
@@ -541,6 +644,128 @@ impl WorkflowApi {
     }
 }
 
+fn slugify_name(name: &str) -> String {
+    let slug: String = name
+        .chars()
+        .map(|c| {
+            if c.is_ascii_alphanumeric() {
+                c.to_ascii_lowercase()
+            } else {
+                '_'
+            }
+        })
+        .collect();
+    // Collapse consecutive underscores and trim edges
+    let mut result = String::new();
+    let mut prev_underscore = true; // start true to trim leading _
+    for ch in slug.chars() {
+        if ch == '_' {
+            if !prev_underscore {
+                result.push('_');
+            }
+            prev_underscore = true;
+        } else {
+            result.push(ch);
+            prev_underscore = false;
+        }
+    }
+    // Trim trailing underscore
+    if result.ends_with('_') {
+        result.pop();
+    }
+    result
+}
+
+fn next_story_number(root: &std::path::Path) -> Result<u32, String> {
+    let base = root.join(".story_kit").join("stories");
+    let mut max_num: u32 = 0;
+
+    for subdir in &["upcoming", "current", "archived"] {
+        let dir = base.join(subdir);
+        if !dir.exists() {
+            continue;
+        }
+        for entry in
+            fs::read_dir(&dir).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read {subdir} directory: {e}"))?
+        {
+            let entry = entry.map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read entry: {e}"))?;
+            let name = entry.file_name();
+            let name_str = name.to_string_lossy();
+            // Extract leading digits from filename
+            let num_str: String = name_str.chars().take_while(|c| c.is_ascii_digit()).collect();
+            if let Ok(n) = num_str.parse::<u32>()
+                && n > max_num
+            {
+                max_num = n;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok(max_num + 1)
+}
+
+fn validate_story_dirs(
+    root: &std::path::Path,
+) -> Result<Vec<StoryValidationResult>, String> {
+    let base = root.join(".story_kit").join("stories");
+    let mut results = Vec::new();
+
+    for subdir in &["current", "upcoming"] {
+        let dir = base.join(subdir);
+        if !dir.exists() {
+            continue;
+        }
+        for entry in
+            fs::read_dir(&dir).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read {subdir} directory: {e}"))?
+        {
+            let entry = entry.map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read entry: {e}"))?;
+            let path = entry.path();
+            if path.extension().and_then(|ext| ext.to_str()) != Some("md") {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let story_id = path
+                .file_stem()
+                .and_then(|stem| stem.to_str())
+                .unwrap_or_default()
+                .to_string();
+            let contents = fs::read_to_string(&path)
+                .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to read {}: {e}", path.display()))?;
+            match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
+                Ok(meta) => {
+                    let mut errors = Vec::new();
+                    if meta.name.is_none() {
+                        errors.push("Missing 'name' field".to_string());
+                    }
+                    if meta.test_plan.is_none() {
+                        errors.push("Missing 'test_plan' field".to_string());
+                    }
+                    if errors.is_empty() {
+                        results.push(StoryValidationResult {
+                            story_id,
+                            valid: true,
+                            error: None,
+                        });
+                    } else {
+                        results.push(StoryValidationResult {
+                            story_id,
+                            valid: false,
+                            error: Some(errors.join("; ")),
+                        });
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(e) => results.push(StoryValidationResult {
+                    story_id,
+                    valid: false,
+                    error: Some(e.to_string()),
+                }),
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    results.sort_by(|a, b| a.story_id.cmp(&b.story_id));
+    Ok(results)
+}
+
 fn to_test_case(input: TestCasePayload) -> Result<TestCaseResult, String> {
     let status = parse_test_status(&input.status)?;
     Ok(TestCaseResult {
@@ -716,4 +941,204 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(stories.len(), 1);
         assert_eq!(stories[0].story_id, "31_story");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validate_story_dirs_valid_files() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let current = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/current");
+        let upcoming = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/upcoming");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&upcoming).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            current.join("28_todos.md"),
+            "---\nname: Show TODOs\ntest_plan: approved\n---\n# Story\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            upcoming.join("36_front_matter.md"),
+            "---\nname: Enforce Front Matter\ntest_plan: pending\n---\n# Story\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let results = validate_story_dirs(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(results.len(), 2);
+        assert!(results.iter().all(|r| r.valid));
+        assert!(results.iter().all(|r| r.error.is_none()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validate_story_dirs_missing_front_matter() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let current = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/current");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
+        fs::write(current.join("28_todos.md"), "# No front matter\n").unwrap();
+
+        let results = validate_story_dirs(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(results.len(), 1);
+        assert!(!results[0].valid);
+        assert_eq!(results[0].error.as_deref(), Some("Missing front matter"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validate_story_dirs_missing_required_fields() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let current = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/current");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
+        fs::write(current.join("28_todos.md"), "---\n---\n# Story\n").unwrap();
+
+        let results = validate_story_dirs(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(results.len(), 1);
+        assert!(!results[0].valid);
+        let err = results[0].error.as_deref().unwrap();
+        assert!(err.contains("Missing 'name' field"));
+        assert!(err.contains("Missing 'test_plan' field"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validate_story_dirs_missing_test_plan_only() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let current = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/current");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            current.join("28_todos.md"),
+            "---\nname: A Story\n---\n# Story\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let results = validate_story_dirs(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(results.len(), 1);
+        assert!(!results[0].valid);
+        let err = results[0].error.as_deref().unwrap();
+        assert!(err.contains("Missing 'test_plan' field"));
+        assert!(!err.contains("Missing 'name' field"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validate_story_dirs_empty_when_no_dirs() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let results = validate_story_dirs(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert!(results.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    // --- slugify_name tests ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_simple_name() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            slugify_name("Enforce Front Matter on All Story Files"),
+            "enforce_front_matter_on_all_story_files"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_with_special_chars() {
+        assert_eq!(slugify_name("Hello, World! (v2)"), "hello_world_v2");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_leading_trailing_underscores() {
+        assert_eq!(slugify_name("  spaces  "), "spaces");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_consecutive_separators() {
+        assert_eq!(slugify_name("a--b__c  d"), "a_b_c_d");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_empty_after_strip() {
+        assert_eq!(slugify_name("!!!"), "");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn slugify_already_snake_case() {
+        assert_eq!(slugify_name("my_story_name"), "my_story_name");
+    }
+
+    // --- next_story_number tests ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn next_story_number_empty_dirs() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let base = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/upcoming");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&base).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(next_story_number(tmp.path()).unwrap(), 1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn next_story_number_scans_all_dirs() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let upcoming = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/upcoming");
+        let current = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/current");
+        let archived = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/archived");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&upcoming).unwrap();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&archived).unwrap();
+        fs::write(upcoming.join("10_foo.md"), "").unwrap();
+        fs::write(current.join("20_bar.md"), "").unwrap();
+        fs::write(archived.join("15_baz.md"), "").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(next_story_number(tmp.path()).unwrap(), 21);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn next_story_number_no_story_dirs() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        // No .story_kit at all
+        assert_eq!(next_story_number(tmp.path()).unwrap(), 1);
+    }
+
+    // --- create_story integration tests ---
+
+    #[test]
+    fn create_story_writes_correct_content() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let upcoming = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/upcoming");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&upcoming).unwrap();
+        fs::write(upcoming.join("36_existing.md"), "").unwrap();
+
+        let number = next_story_number(tmp.path()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(number, 37);
+
+        let slug = slugify_name("My New Feature");
+        assert_eq!(slug, "my_new_feature");
+
+        let filename = format!("{number}_{slug}.md");
+        let filepath = upcoming.join(&filename);
+
+        let mut content = String::new();
+        content.push_str("---\n");
+        content.push_str("name: My New Feature\n");
+        content.push_str("test_plan: pending\n");
+        content.push_str("---\n\n");
+        content.push_str(&format!("# Story {number}: My New Feature\n\n"));
+        content.push_str("## User Story\n\n");
+        content.push_str("As a dev, I want this feature\n\n");
+        content.push_str("## Acceptance Criteria\n\n");
+        content.push_str("- [ ] It works\n");
+        content.push_str("- [ ] It is tested\n\n");
+        content.push_str("## Out of Scope\n\n");
+        content.push_str("- TBD\n");
+
+        fs::write(&filepath, &content).unwrap();
+
+        let written = fs::read_to_string(&filepath).unwrap();
+        assert!(written.starts_with("---\nname: My New Feature\ntest_plan: pending\n---"));
+        assert!(written.contains("# Story 37: My New Feature"));
+        assert!(written.contains("- [ ] It works"));
+        assert!(written.contains("- [ ] It is tested"));
+        assert!(written.contains("## Out of Scope"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn create_story_rejects_duplicate() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let upcoming = tmp.path().join(".story_kit/stories/upcoming");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&upcoming).unwrap();
+
+        let filepath = upcoming.join("1_my_feature.md");
+        fs::write(&filepath, "existing").unwrap();
+
+        // Simulate the check
+        assert!(filepath.exists());
+    }
 }