Primary User Story
As a workflow maintainer, I want a single, centralized configuration source that defines all workflow settings and parameters, so that the workflow structure is simplified and the complexity of conditional if: statements is significantly reduced. This central configuration should eliminate scattered hardcoded values and make the workflow logic more maintainable and easier to understand.
Acceptance Scenarios
- Given a workflow with multiple conditional branches based on hardcoded values, When configuration is centralized in a single source, Then the number of if: statements decreases by at least 50% and logic becomes more readable
- Given configuration changes are needed, When I update the central configuration file, Then all dependent workflow steps automatically use the new values without individual modifications
- Given a new workflow parameter is introduced, When I add it to the central configuration, Then it becomes immediately available to all workflow steps without code changes
- Given environment-specific settings are required, When I define them in the central configuration, Then the workflow can access them through simple variable references instead of complex conditionals
Edge Cases
- What happens when the central configuration file is missing or invalid? (Workflow should fail fast with clear error message)
- How does the system handle conflicting configuration values across different sections? (Validation should catch conflicts during configuration loading)
- What happens when a workflow step references a configuration key that doesn't exist? (Should provide default values or fail with descriptive error)
- How does the system handle configuration updates during workflow execution? (Configuration should be immutable once loaded)
Requirements (mandatory)
Functional Requirements
| ID |
Requirement |
| FR-001 |
System MUST provide a single configuration file as the authoritative source for all workflow settings |
| FR-002 |
System MUST validate configuration file syntax and required fields on workflow startup |
| FR-003 |
System MUST make configuration values available as environment variables or step inputs throughout the workflow |
| FR-004 |
System MUST support hierarchical configuration with environment-specific overrides |
| FR-005 |
System MUST reduce workflow conditional logic by replacing hardcoded values with configuration references |
| FR-006 |
System MUST provide clear error messages when configuration is invalid or missing required values |
| FR-007 |
System MUST support configuration inheritance and composition for complex scenarios |
| FR-008 |
System MUST allow configuration to be sourced from repository files, secrets, or external sources |
| FR-009 |
System MUST document all available configuration options and their effects on workflow behavior |
| FR-010 |
System MUST maintain backward compatibility with existing workflow structures during migration |
Non-Functional Requirements
| ID |
Requirement |
| NFR-001 |
Configuration loading MUST complete within 10 seconds to avoid workflow delays |
| NFR-002 |
Configuration validation MUST provide actionable error messages for troubleshooting |
| NFR-003 |
System MUST maintain configuration security by not exposing sensitive values in logs |
| NFR-004 |
Configuration changes MUST not require workflow file modifications for routine updates |
| NFR-005 |
System MUST support configuration versioning and rollback capabilities |
Quality Attributes Addressed
| Attribute |
Target Metric |
| Maintainability |
Reduce conditional complexity by 60%; single source of truth for all configuration |
| Reliability |
Configuration validation prevents runtime failures; consistent behavior across environments |
| Usability |
Clear configuration structure reduces cognitive load for workflow maintainers |
| Security |
Centralized configuration management with proper secret handling |
| Efficiency |
Faster workflow updates through configuration changes rather than code modifications |
Constraints (include if applicable)
| Constraint |
Description |
| GitHub Actions Environment |
Must work within GitHub Actions workflow syntax and execution model |
| Configuration Format |
Must support YAML, JSON, or PowerShell data file formats commonly used in workflows |
| Backward Compatibility |
Must allow gradual migration from existing hardcoded configurations |
| Repository Structure |
Must integrate with existing PSModule repository conventions |
Key Entities (include if feature involves data)
| Entity |
Description |
| Configuration File |
Central YAML/JSON/PSData file containing all workflow settings and parameters |
| Configuration Schema |
Validation rules defining required and optional configuration properties |
| Environment Overrides |
Environment-specific configuration values that extend or replace base settings |
| Configuration Context |
Runtime information (branch, environment, trigger) used to select appropriate configuration |
| Workflow Parameters |
Derived values from configuration that are passed to workflow steps and jobs |
Feature Branch: 001-settings-driven-workflow
