diff --git a/skills/issue-writing/SKILL.md b/skills/issue-writing/SKILL.md
index 9783428..c1371a6 100644
--- a/skills/issue-writing/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/issue-writing/SKILL.md
@@ -49,6 +49,39 @@ Examples:
 - [ ] Session persists across browser refresh
 ```
 
+## Vertical Slices
+
+Issues should be **vertical slices** that deliver user-visible value.
+
+### The Demo Test
+
+Before writing an issue, ask: **Can a user demo or test this independently?**
+
+- **Yes** → Good issue scope
+- **No** → Rethink the breakdown
+
+### Good vs Bad Issue Titles
+
+| Good (Vertical) | Bad (Horizontal) |
+|-----------------|------------------|
+| "User can save and reload diagram" | "Add persistence layer" |
+| "Show error when login fails" | "Add error handling" |
+| "Domain expert can list orders" | "Add query syntax to ADL" |
+
+### Writing User-Focused Issues
+
+Frame issues around user capabilities:
+
+```markdown
+# Bad: Technical task
+Title: Add email service integration
+
+# Good: User capability
+Title: User receives confirmation email after signup
+```
+
+The technical work is the same, but the good title makes success criteria clear.
+
 ## Issue Types
 
 ### Bug Report
diff --git a/skills/roadmap-planning/SKILL.md b/skills/roadmap-planning/SKILL.md
index 2c89f8c..cab87cc 100644
--- a/skills/roadmap-planning/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/roadmap-planning/SKILL.md
@@ -33,6 +33,48 @@ How to plan features and create issues for implementation.
 - Reference dependencies explicitly
 - Use consistent labeling
 
+## Vertical vs Horizontal Slices
+
+**Prefer vertical slices** - each issue should deliver user-visible value.
+
+| Vertical (Good) | Horizontal (Bad) |
+|-----------------|------------------|
+| "User can save and reload their diagram" | "Add persistence layer" + "Add save API" + "Add load API" |
+| "Domain expert can list all orders" | "Add query syntax to ADL" + "Add query runtime" + "Add query UI" |
+| "User can reset forgotten password" | "Add email service" + "Add reset token model" + "Add reset form" |
+
+### The Demo Test
+
+Ask: **Can a user demo or test this issue independently?**
+
+- **Yes** → Good vertical slice
+- **No** → Probably a horizontal slice, break differently
+
+### Break by User Capability, Not Technical Layer
+
+Instead of thinking "what technical components do we need?", think "what can the user do after this issue is done?"
+
+```
+# Bad: Technical layers
+├── Add database schema
+├── Add API endpoint
+├── Add frontend form
+
+# Good: User capabilities
+├── User can create a draft
+├── User can publish the draft
+├── User can edit published content
+```
+
+### When Horizontal Slices Are Acceptable
+
+Sometimes horizontal slices are necessary:
+- **Infrastructure setup** - Database, CI/CD, deployment (do once, enables everything)
+- **Security foundations** - Auth system before any protected features
+- **Shared libraries** - When multiple features need the same foundation
+
+Even then, keep them minimal and follow immediately with vertical slices that use them.
+
 ## Breaking Down Features
 
 ### By Layer