# Discovery
> Understand the problem before committing to a change — a read-only session that can graduate into a feature, once and only deliberately.
Source: https://ivar.run/docs/guide/discovery

import { Callout } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/callout';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

```text
/ivar-discovery [objective]
```

A **discovery session** is for the part of the work that comes before you know
what to build. No feature is bound, and every repo is read-only on its default
branch, so exploring cannot accidentally become editing.

## How it runs

<Steps>
  <Step>
    **State the objective.** Pass it as an argument, or the agent asks: *what
    would you like to understand or decide?*
  </Step>
  <Step>
    **One question at a time.** The agent reads files, searches the repos and
    runs read-only commands, asking a single question per turn rather than
    handing you a questionnaire.
  </Step>
  <Step>
    **Build the picture.** Discovery is finished when five things exist: the
    problem or opportunity, the desired outcome, initial scope boundaries, the
    repos likely affected, and the risks and open questions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout title="Nothing is written during discovery">
  Repos are read-only for the whole session. That is a property of the view
  directory, not a rule the agent is asked to follow.
</Callout>

## Continuing one

Running `/ivar-discovery` again inside an active discovery session continues it
— it does not start over.

## Converting to a feature

Once the five points are settled, the agent may offer to convert the session
into a Feature Session. Conversion binds the session to a feature and moves its
view directory into that feature's tree, making the promoted repos writable.

<Callout type="warn" title="Conversion is offered, never automatic — and it is one-way">
  A feature session cannot be turned back into a discovery session, and
  `/ivar-discovery` refuses to run against one. If you need to explore again
  with fresh eyes, start a new discovery session.
</Callout>

After conversion, [`/ivar-plan`](/docs/guide/planning) turns the discovery brief
into requirements.