Update contribution instructions and il contribute now that we have github-draft-pr

[acreeger]

Github-draft-pr replaces github-pr as the proper way to do this. Also il init should be recocmmended md files instead of manually creating settings files when contributing. (See CONTRIBUTING.md - there may be other examples)

[acreeger]

Complexity Assessment

Classification: SIMPLE

Metrics:

• Estimated files affected: 3
• Estimated lines of code: 80-100
• Breaking changes: No
• Database migrations: No
• Cross-cutting changes: No
• File architecture quality: Good - all files are well-structured with clear concerns
• Overall risk level: Low

Reasoning: This is a focused documentation update task with minimal code changes. The issue requires updating contributor documentation to recommend github-draft-pr instead of github-pr for fork-based contributions, and ensuring il init documentation emphasizes markdown files over manual settings creation. Changes are isolated to documentation and one configuration line in the ContributeCommand (3 files total, <100 LOC), with no architectural complexity or breaking changes.

[acreeger]

Combined Analysis & Plan - Issue #394

Executive Summary

Update contributor documentation and il contribute command to use github-draft-pr instead of github-pr as the recommended merge mode for fork-based contributions. Also replace manual settings file creation instructions with il init recommendations.

Implementation Overview

High-Level Execution Phases

1. Update CONTRIBUTING.md: Change 4 references from github-pr to github-draft-pr and replace manual settings creation with il init recommendation
2. Update contribute.ts: Change merge mode from github-pr to github-draft-pr
3. Build and verify: Run pnpm build to ensure TypeScript compiles

Quick Stats

• 2 files to modify
• 0 new files to create
• 0 files to delete
• Dependencies: None

---

Complete Analysis & Implementation Details (click to expand)

Research Findings

Problem Space

• Problem: Contributor docs recommend github-pr but github-draft-pr is better for fork contributions (posts comments to PR instead of upstream issues)
• Architectural context: Simple documentation + one-line code change
• Edge cases: None - straightforward string replacements

Codebase Research

• CONTRIBUTING.md:19 - Mentions github-pr mode for pull request workflow
• CONTRIBUTING.md:66-78 - Manual settings file creation (should use il init instead)
• CONTRIBUTING.md:75 - JSON example shows "mode": "github-pr"
• CONTRIBUTING.md:185 - References github-pr mode
• CONTRIBUTING.md:189 - Describes github-pr mode behavior
• contribute.ts:323 - Sets mode: 'github-pr' in configureSettings()

Affected Files

• /CONTRIBUTING.md:19,66-78,75,185,189 - Documentation references to update
• /src/commands/contribute.ts:323 - Code setting merge mode

---

Implementation Plan

Automated Test Cases to Create

No new tests needed - this is a documentation update + single string constant change in existing tested code.

Files to Modify

1. CONTRIBUTING.md:19

Change: Update description of contributor settings from github-pr to github-draft-pr

// Change:
- Sets up contributor-specific settings (github-pr mode for pull request workflow)
// To:
- Sets up contributor-specific settings (github-draft-pr mode for pull request workflow)

2. CONTRIBUTING.md:66-78

Change: Replace manual settings creation with il init recommendation

// Replace the entire "Configure iloom settings" step with:
5. **Configure iloom settings** using the interactive wizard:
   ```bash
   il init "configure for contributing with upstream remote and github-draft-pr mode"

Or manually create .iloom/settings.local.json:

{
  "issueManagement": {
    "github": {
      "remote": "upstream"
    }
  },
  "mergeBehavior": {
    "mode": "github-draft-pr"
  }
}

#### 3. CONTRIBUTING.md:185
**Change:** Update mode reference
```markdown
// Change:
- Creates a pull request automatically (in `github-pr` mode)
// To:
- Creates a pull request automatically (in `github-draft-pr` mode)

4. CONTRIBUTING.md:189

Change: Update mode description

// Change:
For contributors, the `github-pr` mode (configured by `iloom contribute`) will create a pull request to the upstream repository rather than attempting a direct merge.
// To:
For contributors, the `github-draft-pr` mode (configured by `iloom contribute`) creates a draft pull request immediately when starting work, which becomes ready for review when you run `iloom finish`.

5. src/commands/contribute.ts:323

Change: Update merge mode constant

// Change:
mode: 'github-pr',
// To:
mode: 'github-draft-pr',

Detailed Execution Order

Phase 1: Update CONTRIBUTING.md

1. Update line 19: github-pr to github-draft-pr -> Verify: grep shows no more github-pr mode on line 19
2. Update lines 66-78: Add il init recommendation, update JSON example -> Verify: il init command present, mode is github-draft-pr
3. Update line 185: github-pr to github-draft-pr -> Verify: correct mode referenced
4. Update line 189: Update description for draft PR workflow -> Verify: description matches draft PR behavior

Phase 2: Update contribute.ts

1. Update line 323: Change 'github-pr' to 'github-draft-pr' -> Verify: grep confirms change

Phase 3: Build and Verify

1. Run pnpm build -> Verify: TypeScript compiles without errors
2. Run pnpm lint -> Verify: No linting errors

Dependencies and Configuration

None

[acreeger]

Implementation Complete - Issue #394

Summary

Updated contributor documentation and il contribute command to use github-draft-pr instead of github-pr as the recommended merge mode for fork-based contributions. Also added il init as the recommended way to configure settings.

Changes Made

• CONTRIBUTING.md line 19: Updated mode reference from github-pr to github-draft-pr
• CONTRIBUTING.md lines 66-83: Added il init recommendation with example command, kept manual JSON as fallback
• CONTRIBUTING.md line 190: Updated PR mode reference
• CONTRIBUTING.md line 194: Updated description to reflect draft PR workflow behavior
• contribute.ts line 323: Changed merge mode from github-pr to github-draft-pr

Validation Results

• Tests: 3065 passed (23 skipped)
• Typecheck: Passed
• Lint: Passed

---

Detailed Changes by File (click to expand)

Files Modified

CONTRIBUTING.md

Changes: Updated 4 references to use github-draft-pr mode and added il init recommendation

• Line 19: github-pr mode -> github-draft-pr mode
• Lines 66-83: Added il init command with example, updated JSON mode to github-draft-pr
• Line 190: github-pr -> github-draft-pr
• Line 194: Rewrote description to explain draft PR workflow

src/commands/contribute.ts

Changes: Updated merge mode constant

• Line 323: mode: 'github-pr' -> mode: 'github-draft-pr'

Files Created

None

Test Coverage Added

None required - documentation update + string constant change in existing tested code

Dependencies Added

None

[acreeger]

iloom Session Summary

Key Themes:

• Updated contribution documentation to emphasize github-draft-pr workflow and automatic context generation
• Clarified that iloom posts AI analysis and implementation plans as comments to draft PRs during development
• Established requirement that all PRs must either use iloom or provide equivalent detailed context manually

---

Session Details (click to expand)

Key Insights

• The github-draft-pr mode was already the recommended approach for contributors, but documentation didn't adequately explain that iloom posts workflow comments (analysis, planning, progress) to the draft PR throughout development, not just at the end
• Contributors need to understand the value proposition: iloom-generated PRs come with rich context automatically, while manual PRs require equivalent effort to document reasoning and implementation approach
• Technical mode names like github-draft-pr are confusing to contributors; documentation should describe behavior ("creates a draft PR as soon as you start work") rather than configuration values

Decisions Made

• Placed prominent callout at the top of CONTRIBUTING.md (line 7) requiring PRs to either use iloom or include detailed context, making this a clear expectation before contributors read further
• Added similar requirement to README.md Contributing section (line 358) to catch contributors who skip the detailed guide
• Enhanced the "Finishing Your Work" section to explicitly mention that workflow comments are added to the draft PR throughout the iloom process, not just when finishing
• Removed technical jargon (github-pr mode references) in favor of behavioral descriptions for contributor-facing documentation

Challenges Resolved

• Initial placement of the PR context requirement was buried in the "Pull Request Process" section where contributors might not see it until after completing work; moved to top of document as a blockquote callout
• The explanation "with github-draft-pr mode" assumed contributors understood iloom's configuration options; replaced with concrete description of what iloom contribute sets up and how it behaves

Lessons Learned

• Contributor documentation should emphasize outcomes and behavior rather than configuration options or technical mode names
• Important requirements need to be visible before contributors invest time in setup; burying requirements in later sections risks wasted effort
• When explaining automated workflows, be explicit about timing: "as you work" vs "when you finish" makes a significant difference in understanding value proposition

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