Integrating GSD into the agent API layer

Jan 29, 2026

Agents loop. They read files, think about reading more files, then read the same files again. Without structure, they wander.

GSD (Get Shit Done) is a protocol. It gives the agent phases: GATHER, IMPLEMENT, VERIFY, COMPLETE. Each phase has one job. Do the job, update state, move on.

The key insight was XML tasks. Instead of free-form reasoning, the agent generates structured plans:

<task>
  <name>Create user model</name>
  <action>Write src/models/user.ts with id, email, createdAt fields</action>
  <verify>File exists and exports User type</verify>
  <done>User model created</done>
</task>

Each task is atomic. The agent executes one, verifies it worked, then moves to the next. No backtracking, no infinite loops.

The integration required two functions: planLoop() generates the XML tasks from requirements. executeLoop() runs them sequentially with verification.

The agent now finishes what it starts. That is the whole point of GSD.