feat(models): make FeatureCategory flexible to accept any string value

- Convert FeatureCategory from Enum to regular class with predefined constants
- Allow agents and users to specify custom categories without breaking
- Update all code references to work with string categories instead of enum values
- Remove .value accessor calls throughout codebase
- Add test for custom category support
- All 173 tests passing

Fixes agent failures when trying to use non-predefined categories like
'integration', 'e2e-testing', etc.

Author: ThomasRohde

.klondike/agent-progress.json

@@ -170,13 +170,13 @@
         "status": "not-started"
       },
       {
-        "id": "F035",
-        "description": "Auto-delegate feature PRs via copilot",
+        "id": "F042",
+        "description": "Integration test",
         "status": "not-started"
       },
       {
-        "id": "F036",
-        "description": "Copilot session resume integration",
+        "id": "F043",
+        "description": "E2E test",
         "status": "not-started"
       }
     ]

.klondike/features.json

@@ -1116,12 +1116,50 @@
       "blockedBy": null,
       "lastWorkedOn": "2025-12-08T06:51:31.020276",
       "notes": null
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "F042",
+      "category": "integration",
+      "priority": 2,
+      "description": "Integration test",
+      "dependencies": [],
+      "acceptanceCriteria": [
+        "Feature works as described"
+      ],
+      "estimatedEffort": null,
+      "status": "not-started",
+      "passes": false,
+      "verifiedAt": null,
+      "verifiedBy": null,
+      "evidenceLinks": [],
+      "blockedBy": null,
+      "lastWorkedOn": null,
+      "notes": null
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "F043",
+      "category": "e2e-testing",
+      "priority": 2,
+      "description": "E2E test",
+      "dependencies": [],
+      "acceptanceCriteria": [
+        "Feature works as described"
+      ],
+      "estimatedEffort": null,
+      "status": "not-started",
+      "passes": false,
+      "verifiedAt": null,
+      "verifiedBy": null,
+      "evidenceLinks": [],
+      "blockedBy": null,
+      "lastWorkedOn": null,
+      "notes": null
     }
   ],
   "metadata": {
     "createdAt": "2025-12-07T00:00:00Z",
-    "lastUpdated": "2025-12-08T17:35:35.989776",
-    "totalFeatures": 41,
+    "lastUpdated": "2025-12-10T16:18:43.469770",
+    "totalFeatures": 43,
     "passingFeatures": 36
   }
 }

agent-progress.md

@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ klondike feature list  # List all features
 | ID | Description | Status |
 |----|-------------|--------|
 | F039 | Local CI check command that detects and runs project CI checks | ⏳ Not started |
-| F035 | Auto-delegate feature PRs via copilot | ⏳ Not started |
-| F036 | Copilot session resume integration | ⏳ Not started |
+| F042 | Integration test | ⏳ Not started |
+| F043 | E2E test | ⏳ Not started |
 
 ---
 

src/klondike_spec_cli/cli.py

@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 from .models import (
     Config,
     Feature,
-    FeatureCategory,
     FeatureRegistry,
     FeatureStatus,
     PriorityFeatureRef,
@@ -501,8 +500,8 @@ def _feature_add(
     config = load_config()
 
     feature_id = registry.next_feature_id()
-    # Use config defaults if not specified
-    cat = FeatureCategory(category) if category else config.default_category
+    # Use config defaults if not specified, accept any category string
+    cat = category if category else config.default_category
     # Ensure priority is an integer (CLI may pass as string)
     prio = int(priority) if priority is not None else config.default_priority
     acceptance = (
@@ -532,7 +531,7 @@ def _feature_add(
     regenerate_progress_md()
 
     echo(f"✅ Added feature {feature_id}: {description}")
-    echo(f"   Category: {cat.value}, Priority: {prio}")
+    echo(f"   Category: {cat}, Priority: {prio}")
 
 
 def _feature_list(status_filter: str | None, json_output: bool) -> None:
@@ -678,7 +677,7 @@ def _feature_show(feature_id: str | None, json_output: bool) -> None:
 
     echo(f"📋 Feature: {feature.id}")
     echo(f"   Description: {feature.description}")
-    echo(f"   Category: {feature.category.value}")
+    echo(f"   Category: {feature.category}")
     echo(f"   Priority: {feature.priority}")
     echo(f"   Status: {status_icon}")
     echo(f"   Passes: {'Yes' if feature.passes else 'No'}")
@@ -744,13 +743,9 @@ def _feature_edit(
         changes.append(f"added criteria: {', '.join(new_criteria)}")
 
     if category is not None:
-        try:
-            new_category = FeatureCategory(category)
-            feature.category = new_category
-            changes.append(f"category: {new_category.value}")
-        except ValueError as e:
-            valid_cats = ", ".join(c.value for c in FeatureCategory)
-            raise PithException(f"Invalid category: {category}. Use: {valid_cats}") from e
+        # Accept any category string
+        feature.category = category
+        changes.append(f"category: {category}")
 
     if priority is not None:
         # Ensure priority is an integer (CLI may pass as string)
@@ -803,7 +798,7 @@ def _feature_prompt(
         "",
         f"**Description:** {feature.description}",
         "",
-        f"**Category:** {feature.category.value}",
+        f"**Category:** {feature.category}",
         f"**Priority:** {feature.priority}",
         f"**Status:** {feature.status.value}",
         "",
@@ -1296,9 +1291,7 @@ def config(
     if key is None:
         # Show all config
         echo("⚙️  Configuration:")
-        echo(
-            f"   default_category: {cfg.default_category.value if hasattr(cfg.default_category, 'value') else cfg.default_category}"
-        )
+        echo(f"   default_category: {cfg.default_category}")
         echo(f"   default_priority: {cfg.default_priority}")
         echo(f"   verified_by: {cfg.verified_by}")
         echo(f"   progress_output_path: {cfg.progress_output_path}")
@@ -1314,13 +1307,8 @@ def config(
         if key == "prd_source":
             cfg.prd_source = value if value.lower() != "null" else None
         elif key == "default_category":
-            from klondike_spec_cli.models import FeatureCategory
-
-            try:
-                cfg.default_category = FeatureCategory(value.lower())
-            except ValueError:
-                valid = ", ".join(c.value for c in FeatureCategory)
-                raise PithException(f"Invalid category: {value}. Valid: {valid}") from None
+            # Accept any category string
+            cfg.default_category = value.lower()
         elif key == "default_priority":
             try:
                 priority = int(value)
@@ -1351,11 +1339,7 @@ def config(
     if key == "prd_source":
         echo(cfg.prd_source or "(not set)")
     elif key == "default_category":
-        echo(
-            cfg.default_category.value
-            if hasattr(cfg.default_category, "value")
-            else cfg.default_category
-        )
+        echo(cfg.default_category)
     elif key == "default_priority":
         echo(str(cfg.default_priority))
     elif key == "verified_by":
@@ -1942,11 +1926,8 @@ def import_features(
 
             # Parse optional fields with defaults
             cat_str = feat_data.get("category", "core")
-            try:
-                category = FeatureCategory(cat_str)
-            except ValueError:
-                errors.append(f"Feature {i + 1}: invalid category '{cat_str}'")
-                continue
+            # Accept any category string
+            category = cat_str
 
             priority = feat_data.get("priority", 3)
             if not isinstance(priority, int) or priority < 1 or priority > 5:
@@ -2245,7 +2226,7 @@ def export_features(
             feat_dict = {
                 "id": f.id,
                 "description": f.description,
-                "category": f.category.value,
+                "category": f.category,
                 "priority": f.priority,
                 "acceptance_criteria": f.acceptance_criteria,
             }
@@ -2415,7 +2396,7 @@ def agents(action: str = Argument(..., pith="Action: generate")) -> None:
     lines.append("```")
     lines.append("")
     lines.append("## Configuration")
-    lines.append(f"- default_category: {config.default_category.value}")
+    lines.append(f"- default_category: {config.default_category}")
     lines.append(f"- default_priority: {config.default_priority}")
     lines.append(f"- verified_by: {config.verified_by}")
     lines.append(f"- progress_output_path: {config.progress_output_path}")

src/klondike_spec_cli/formatting.py

@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ def print_feature_table(
         row = [
             f.id,
             f.description[:50] + ("..." if len(f.description) > 50 else ""),
-            f.category.value,
+            f.category,
             f"P{f.priority}",
             colored_status(f.status),
         ]

src/klondike_spec_cli/mcp_server.py

@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ def get_features(status: str | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]:
                     {
                         "id": f.id,
                         "description": f.description,
-                        "category": f.category.value,
+                        "category": f.category,
                         "priority": f.priority,
                         "status": f.status.value,
                         "passes": f.passes,
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ def get_feature(feature_id: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
             return {
                 "id": feature.id,
                 "description": feature.description,
-                "category": feature.category.value,
+                "category": feature.category,
                 "priority": feature.priority,
                 "status": feature.status.value,
                 "passes": feature.passes,

src/klondike_spec_cli/models.py

@@ -23,9 +23,14 @@ class FeatureStatus(str, Enum):
     VERIFIED = "verified"
 
 
-class FeatureCategory(str, Enum):
-    """Category of a feature."""
+class FeatureCategory:
+    """Category of a feature.
 
+    Accepts any string value, but provides common predefined categories as constants.
+    This allows agents and users to create custom categories without breaking.
+    """
+
+    # Predefined common categories
     CORE = "core"
     UI = "ui"
     API = "api"
@@ -37,14 +42,30 @@ class FeatureCategory(str, Enum):
     SETUP = "setup"
     ASSETS = "assets"
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_common_categories(cls) -> list[str]:
+        """Return list of common predefined categories."""
+        return [
+            cls.CORE,
+            cls.UI,
+            cls.API,
+            cls.TESTING,
+            cls.INFRASTRUCTURE,
+            cls.DOCS,
+            cls.SECURITY,
+            cls.PERFORMANCE,
+            cls.SETUP,
+            cls.ASSETS,
+        ]
+
 
 @dataclass
 class Feature:
     """A single feature in the registry."""
 
     id: str
     description: str
-    category: FeatureCategory
+    category: str  # Any string allowed; see FeatureCategory for common values
     priority: int
     acceptance_criteria: list[str]
     passes: bool = False
@@ -62,9 +83,7 @@ def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         """Convert to dictionary for JSON serialization."""
         return {
             "id": self.id,
-            "category": self.category.value
-            if isinstance(self.category, FeatureCategory)
-            else self.category,
+            "category": self.category,
             "priority": self.priority,
             "description": self.description,
             "dependencies": self.dependencies,
@@ -86,7 +105,7 @@ def from_dict(cls, data: dict[str, Any]) -> Feature:
         return cls(
             id=data["id"],
             description=data["description"],
-            category=FeatureCategory(data.get("category", "core")),
+            category=data.get("category", "core"),
             priority=data.get("priority", 2),
             acceptance_criteria=data.get("acceptanceCriteria", []),
             passes=data.get("passes", False),
@@ -548,7 +567,7 @@ class Config:
     Loaded from .klondike/config.yaml.
     """
 
-    default_category: FeatureCategory = FeatureCategory.CORE
+    default_category: str = FeatureCategory.CORE
     default_priority: int = 2
     verified_by: str = "coding-agent"
     progress_output_path: str = "agent-progress.md"
@@ -558,9 +577,7 @@ class Config:
     def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         """Convert to dictionary for YAML serialization."""
         result = {
-            "default_category": self.default_category.value
-            if isinstance(self.default_category, FeatureCategory)
-            else self.default_category,
+            "default_category": self.default_category,
             "default_priority": self.default_priority,
             "verified_by": self.verified_by,
             "progress_output_path": self.progress_output_path,
@@ -573,11 +590,7 @@ def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
     @classmethod
     def from_dict(cls, data: dict[str, Any]) -> Config:
         """Create Config from dictionary."""
-        category = data.get("default_category", "core")
-        try:
-            default_category = FeatureCategory(category)
-        except ValueError:
-            default_category = FeatureCategory.CORE
+        default_category = data.get("default_category", "core")
 
         return cls(
             default_category=default_category,
@@ -606,8 +619,8 @@ def save(self, path: Path) -> None:
         lines = [
             "# Klondike CLI Configuration",
             "",
-            "# Default category for new features",
-            f"default_category: {self.default_category.value if isinstance(self.default_category, FeatureCategory) else self.default_category}",
+            "# Default category for new features (any string allowed)",
+            f"default_category: {self.default_category}",
             "",
             "# Default priority for new features (1-5, 1=critical)",
             f"default_priority: {self.default_priority}",