GI's single unified input format.
GI defines the internal mechanics of software creation, not how an organization decides what to build. The Intent is the boundary between upstream strategy and the GI pipeline.
A structured statement of the why and what.
An Intent expresses what the system should achieve without dictating how to do it. It isn't a user story, doesn't decompose into tasks, and doesn't predefine architecture.
The Planner defines the how.
- 01 Desired outcomeBusiness, user, or technical.
- 02 ConstraintsTime, risk tolerance, rollout strategy, UX boundaries.
- 03 Scope boundariesWhat is explicitly out of scope.
- 04 Acceptance signalsHow the organization knows the intent is fulfilled.
- 05 Supporting artifactsDesign mocks, data tables, copy, diagrams.
All intents flow through the same interface.
Whether the source is business, design, marketing, technical, or emergent, every intent is converted into the same format and fed into the Planner.
Launch a subscription tier · improve checkout conversion · enable international shipping
New visual hierarchy for onboarding · replace navigation · update accessibility patterns
Add referral incentives · seasonal campaigns · track key funnel events
Refactor a subsystem · address tech debt · update domain contracts · add observability
Patch regression · fix semantic drift · replace failed Execution Plan
One intent, many atomic Execution Plans.
Every Execution Plan ships independently.
Atomicity is the foundation of continuous flow. A large intent may decompose into dozens of small Execution Plans, each shipped on its own. That keeps velocity high while preventing architectural collapse.
Can be shipped independently.
Clear invariants and observable success signals.
Moves through Ring 0 and Ring 1 on its own.
If it fails, rolls back without entangling the broader intent.
Intents flow downward, capacity signals flow upward. The Planner controls work entry to protect velocity.
No stakeholder, including PMs, can push work into the GI Flow past what the Planner authorizes.