feat(domain): add prototype exploration mode for iterative visual prototyping

[arielshad]

Summary

Adds a new Exploration mode alongside Regular and Fast modes, enabling a discovery-first workflow where users describe a vague idea, see quick disposable prototypes, iterate with feedback, and promote to a full feature once direction is clear.

Key changes

• FeatureMode enum replaces boolean fast field — New TypeSpec FeatureMode enum (Regular, Fast, Exploration) replaces the boolean fast field on the Feature entity. All code paths migrated from boolean checks to enum comparisons across domain, persistence, and presentation layers.

• Exploring lifecycle state — New Exploring state added to SdlcLifecycle enum with lifecycle gates defining valid transitions: Exploring → Implementation (promote to fast), Exploring → Requirements (promote to regular), Exploring → Deleting (discard), and self-loop for iterations.

• Exploration agent graph — New LangGraph graph factory (createExplorationAgentGraph) with topology: START → prototype-generate → interrupt(feedback) → apply-feedback → prototype-generate → ... → END. Supports iterative prototyping with full context preservation across feedback cycles.

• Web UI mode selector — Three-way mode selector (Regular / Fast / Explore) with ClipboardList, Zap, and FlaskConical icons replaces the old fast-mode toggle in the feature create drawer. Approval gates are conditionally hidden when Explore mode is selected.

• Prototype review tab — New PrototypeTab component in the feature drawer showing iteration count, feedback status, text feedback input, and promote/discard actions for exploration features.

• Canvas visual treatment — Exploration features render with distinct amber/yellow color scheme and beaker/flask icon on the canvas, visually distinguishing them from regular and fast features.

• CLI commands — New --explore flag on shep feat new, plus shep feat feedback <id> <text> and shep feat promote <id> [--fast] commands for CLI-based exploration workflow.

• Settings integration — workflow.defaultMode setting (Regular/Fast/Exploration) replaces the old boolean defaultFastMode, with explorationMaxIterations setting for configuring the feedback loop limit.

• Promote & Discard use cases — PromoteExplorationUseCase transitions exploration features to Regular or Fast mode with in-place mode transition. Discard reuses existing feature deletion infrastructure.

Evidence

Application Screenshots

Screenshot	Description
	Dashboard canvas with repository nodes and feature cards in various lifecycle states
	Feature create drawer with three-way mode selector (Regular / Fast / Explore)
	Explore mode selected — approval gates correctly hidden
	Settings page with Language, Agent, and Environment sections
	Workflow settings with new 'Default feature mode' dropdown replacing boolean toggle

Storybook Stories

Screenshot	Description
	ModeSelector component with Regular, Fast, and Explore toggle options
	PrototypeTab at first iteration with feedback input and promote/discard actions
	PrototypeTab at iteration 5 showing continued feedback capability
	FeatureNode highlight color exploration with 10 palette options

Test Results

• 5459 unit tests passing across 383 test files — zero regressions
• 281 exploration-specific tests across 12 test files covering: FeatureMode enum, lifecycle gates, feature mapper, create/delete/promote use cases, exploration agent graph, prototype-generate node, apply-feedback node, agent state channels, worker arg parsing, and worker routing
• 234 UI and CLI tests across 9 test files covering: feedback/prototype prompt builders, settings defaults, promote/feedback CLI commands, derive-feature-state, create-feature web action, feature drawer tabs, and feature create drawer with mode selector

Test plan

• All 5459 unit tests pass with zero failures
• Build compiles with zero TypeScript errors
• Linter passes with zero warnings
• TypeSpec compiles successfully with new FeatureMode enum and Exploring lifecycle state
• Existing fast-mode functionality preserved after boolean-to-enum migration
• All new UI components have colocated Storybook stories
• Feature create drawer correctly shows/hides approval gates based on mode selection
• Settings page shows new defaultMode dropdown replacing boolean toggle

Built with Shep 🐑 Shep Bot

[github-actions]

Dev Release Published

Artifact	Version	Install
npm	1.165.0-pr513.2621e83	npm install -g @shepai/cli@1.165.0-pr513.2621e83

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_{Published from commit aaf4a89 | View CI}

[github-actions]

Dev Release Published

Artifact	Version	Install
npm	1.166.0-pr513.7e8c227	npm install -g @shepai/cli@1.166.0-pr513.7e8c227

---

_{Published from commit 29957d6 | View CI}

[github-actions]

Dev Release Published

Artifact	Version	Install
npm	1.166.0-pr513.fdcdd56	npm install -g @shepai/cli@1.166.0-pr513.fdcdd56

---

_{Published from commit a5dcc26 | View CI}

[github-actions]

Dev Release Published

Artifact	Version	Install
npm	1.170.0-pr513.cff27cb	npm install -g @shepai/cli@1.170.0-pr513.cff27cb

---

_{Published from commit c98e248 | View CI}