[Feature Reques] AI Suggestions should check app_spec.txt to avoid duplicates

[cabana8471-arch]

Feature Request: AI Suggestions should check app_spec.txt to avoid duplicates

Problem

The "AI Suggestions" feature in Kanban Board analyzes the project codebase to generate suggestions, but it does NOT check app_spec.txt to see what features are already documented/implemented.

This means:

• AI might suggest features that are already in <implemented_features> section
• AI might suggest features that are already in the Kanban backlog
• Users waste time reviewing duplicate suggestions

Current Behavior

1. User clicks "Feature Suggestions" (lightbulb icon)
2. Selects "Features" card
3. AI analyzes codebase with Read/Glob/Grep tools
4. AI generates 3-5 suggestions based on code patterns
5. ❌ AI does NOT read app_spec.txt
6. ❌ AI does NOT check existing features in .automaker/features/
7. Suggestions may duplicate already planned/implemented features

Code evidence:

The prompt in generate-suggestions.ts says:

const prompt = `${typePrompts[suggestionType]}

Look at the codebase and provide 3-5 concrete suggestions.
// ... no mention of checking app_spec.txt or existing features
`;

Expected Behavior

Before generating suggestions, AI should:

1. Read app_spec.txt to understand what's already documented
2. Check .automaker/features/ directory for existing features
3. Filter out or deprioritize suggestions that overlap with existing items
4. Optionally note: "Similar to existing feature: X"

Suggested Implementation

Option A: Add context to prompt (Low effort)

Modify the prompt to include existing features context:

// In generate-suggestions.ts

async function generateSuggestions(projectPath: string, suggestionType: string) {
  // Load existing context
  const appSpecPath = path.join(projectPath, '.automaker', 'app_spec.txt');
  const featuresDir = path.join(projectPath, '.automaker', 'features');

  let existingContext = '';

  // Read app_spec.txt if exists
  if (await fs.pathExists(appSpecPath)) {
    const spec = await fs.readFile(appSpecPath, 'utf-8');
    // Extract implemented_features section
    const implementedMatch = spec.match(/<implemented_features>([\s\S]*?)<\/implemented_features>/);
    if (implementedMatch) {
      existingContext += `\n\nALREADY IMPLEMENTED (from app_spec.txt):\n${implementedMatch[1]}`;
    }
  }

  // Read existing feature titles
  if (await fs.pathExists(featuresDir)) {
    const features = await loadAllFeatures(featuresDir);
    const featureTitles = features.map(f => `- ${f.title} (${f.status})`).join('\n');
    existingContext += `\n\nEXISTING FEATURES IN BACKLOG:\n${featureTitles}`;
  }

  const prompt = `${typePrompts[suggestionType]}

${existingContext}

IMPORTANT: Do NOT suggest features that are already implemented or in the backlog above.
Look at the codebase and provide 3-5 NEW concrete suggestions that don't overlap with existing features.
// ... rest of prompt
`;
}

Option B: Post-filter suggestions (Medium effort)

After AI generates suggestions, filter out duplicates:

function filterDuplicateSuggestions(
  suggestions: Suggestion[],
  existingFeatures: Feature[],
  implementedFeatures: string[]
): Suggestion[] {
  return suggestions.filter(suggestion => {
    const titleLower = suggestion.description.toLowerCase();

    // Check against existing backlog
    const isDuplicateBacklog = existingFeatures.some(f =>
      similarity(f.title.toLowerCase(), titleLower) > 0.7
    );

    // Check against implemented features
    const isDuplicateImplemented = implementedFeatures.some(f =>
      similarity(f.toLowerCase(), titleLower) > 0.7
    );

    return !isDuplicateBacklog && !isDuplicateImplemented;
  });
}

Option C: Add deduplication UI (Low effort, quick win)

Show warning badge on suggestions that might be duplicates:

{suggestion.possibleDuplicate && (
  <Badge variant="warning">
    Similar to: {suggestion.possibleDuplicate}
  </Badge>
)}

Files to Modify

File	Changes
apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts	Add context loading and prompt modification
apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts	Add method to get all feature titles
apps/app/src/components/views/board-view/dialogs/feature-suggestions-dialog.tsx	Add duplicate warning UI (optional)

Code References

Current suggestion generation (no spec check):

• apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts:18-51

App spec path:

• apps/server/src/lib/automaker-paths.ts

Feature loader:

• apps/server/src/services/feature-loader.ts

Acceptance Criteria

• AI reads app_spec.txt before generating "Features" suggestions
• AI reads existing features from .automaker/features/ directory
• Suggestions don't duplicate already implemented features
• Suggestions don't duplicate features already in backlog
• (Optional) Similar suggestions show warning indicator
• Backward compatible - works if app_spec.txt doesn't exist

Impact

• User Experience: Less time wasted reviewing duplicate suggestions
• Quality: More valuable, unique suggestions
• Trust: Users trust AI more when it shows awareness of project state

Labels

enhancement, ai, suggestions, deduplication