neolabhq/context-engineering-kit/create-workflow-command

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Create a workflow command that orchestrates multi-step execution through sub-agents with file-based task prompts

Install

npx vskill@latest install neolabhq/context-engineering-kit/create-workflow-command

SKILL.md

Create Workflow Command

Create a command that orchestrates multi-step workflows by dispatching sub-agents with task-specific instructions stored in separate files.

User Input

text
Workflow Name: $1
Description: $2

Architecture Overview

Workflow commands solve the context bloat problem: instead of embedding detailed step instructions in the main command (polluting orchestrator context), store them in separate task files that sub-agents read on-demand.

plugins/<plugin-name>/
├── commands/
│ └── <workflow>.md # Lean orchestrator (~50-100 tokens per step)
├── agents/ # Optional: reusable executor agents
│ └── step-executor.md # Custom agent with specific tools/behavior
└── tasks/ # All task instructions directly here
├── step-1-<name>.md # Full instructions (~500+ tokens each)
├── step-2-<name>.md
├── step-3-<name>.md
└── common-context.md # Shared context across workflows

Key Principles

1. Context Isolation

Each sub-agent gets its own isolated context window. The main orchestrator stays lean while sub-agents load detailed instructions from files.

ComponentContext CostPurpose
Orchestrator command~50-100 tokens/stepDispatch and coordinate
Task file~500+ tokensDetailed step instructions
Sub-agent base~294 tokensSystem prompt overhead
2. Sub-Agent Capabilities

Sub-agents spawned via Task tool:

CapabilityAvailableNotes
Read tool✅ YesCan read any file
Write tool✅ YesIf not restricted
Grep/Glob✅ YesFor code search
Skills loading❌ NoSkills don't auto-load in sub-agents
Spawn sub-agents❌ NoCannot nest Task tool
Resume context✅ YesVia resume parameter
3. File Reference Pattern

Use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} for portable paths within plugin:

markdown
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1-workflow-name.md and execute.

Sub-agent will use Read tool to fetch the file content.

Implementation Process

Step 1: Gather Requirements

Ask user (if not provided):

  1. Workflow name: kebab-case identifier (e.g., feature-implementation)
  2. Description: What the workflow accomplishes
  3. Steps: List of discrete steps with:
  • Step name
  • Step goal
  • Required tools
  • Expected output
  1. Execution mode: Sequential or parallel steps
  2. Agent type: general-purpose or custom agent
Step 2: Create Directory Structure
bash
# Create tasks directory (if it doesn't exist)
mkdir -p ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks
# Optional: Create agents directory (if using custom agents)
mkdir -p ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/agents

Note: All task files (both workflow-specific steps and shared context) are placed directly in tasks/ without subdirectories.

Step 3: Create Task Files

For each step, create a task file with this structure:

markdown
# Step N: <Step Name>
## Context
You are executing step N of the <workflow-name> workflow.
## Goal
<Clear, specific goal for this step>
## Input
<What this step receives from previous steps or user>
## Instructions
1.<Specific action>
2.<Specific action>
3.<Specific action>
## Constraints
-<Limitation or boundary>
-<What NOT to do>
## Expected Output
<What to return to orchestrator>
## Success Criteria
-[ ] <Measurable outcome>
-[ ] <Measurable outcome>
Step 4: Create Orchestrator Command

Create the main command file with this pattern:

markdown
---
description: <Workflow description>
argument-hint: <Required arguments>
allowed-tools: Task, Read
model: sonnet
---
# <Workflow Name>
## User Input
\`\`\`text
$ARGUMENTS
\`\`\`
## Workflow Execution
### Step 1: <Step Name>
Launch general-purpose agent:
-**Description**: "<3-5 word summary>"
-**Prompt**:
\`\`\`
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1-<workflow>-<name>.md and execute.
Context:
-TARGET: $1
-MODE: $2
\`\`\`
**Capture**: <What to extract from result>
### Step 2: <Step Name>
Launch general-purpose agent:
-**Description**: "<3-5 word summary>"
-**Prompt**:
\`\`\`
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-2-<workflow>-<name>.md and execute.
Context from Step 1:
-<Key data from previous step>
\`\`\`
### Step 3: <Step Name>
[Continue pattern...]
## Completion
Summarize workflow results:
1.<What was accomplished>
2.<Key outputs>
3.<Next steps if any>
Frontmatter Options
FieldPurposeDefault
descriptionBrief description of workflow purposeRequired
argument-hintExpected arguments descriptionNone
allowed-toolsTools the command can useInherits from conversation
modelSpecific Claude model (sonnet, opus, haiku)Inherits from conversation

Model selection:

  • haiku - Fast, efficient for simple workflows
  • sonnet - Balanced performance (recommended default)
  • opus - Maximum capability for complex orchestration

Execution Patterns

Pattern A: Sequential Steps (Default)

Each step depends on previous step's output:

markdown
### Step 1: Analyze
Launch agent → Get analysis result
### Step 2: Plan (uses Step 1 result)
Launch agent with Step 1 context → Get plan
### Step 3: Execute (uses Step 2 result)
Launch agent with Step 2 context → Complete
Pattern B: Parallel Independent Steps

Steps can run concurrently:

markdown
### Analysis Phase (Parallel)
Launch 3 agents simultaneously:
1.Agent 1: Security analysis → Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1a-security.md
2.Agent 2: Performance analysis → Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1b-performance.md
3.Agent 3: Code quality analysis → Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1c-quality.md
**Wait for all**, then consolidate results.
### Synthesis Phase
Launch agent with all analysis results...
Pattern C: Stateful Multi-Step (Resume)

When steps need shared context:

markdown
### Step 1: Initialize
Launch agent, **capture agent_id**
### Step 2: Continue (same context)
Resume agent using agent_id:
-**resume**: <agent_id from Step 1>
-**prompt**: "Proceed to phase 2: <additional instructions>"

Example: Feature Implementation Workflow

Orchestrator Command
markdown
---
description: Execute feature implementation through research, planning, and coding phases
argument-hint: [feature-description]
allowed-tools: Task, Read, TodoWrite
model: sonnet
---
# Implement Feature
## User Input
\`\`\`text
$ARGUMENTS
\`\`\`
Create TodoWrite with workflow steps.
## Phase 1: Research
Launch general-purpose agent:
-**Description**: "Research feature requirements"
-**Prompt**:
\`\`\`
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-1-feature-impl-research.md
Feature: $ARGUMENTS
\`\`\`
**Extract**: Key findings, constraints, existing patterns
## Phase 2: Architecture
Launch general-purpose agent:
-**Description**: "Design feature architecture"
-**Prompt**:
\`\`\`
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-2-feature-impl-architecture.md
Feature: $ARGUMENTS
Research findings: <summary from Phase 1>
\`\`\`
**Extract**: File structure, components, interfaces
## Phase 3: Implementation
Launch developer agent:
-**Description**: "Implement feature code"
-**Prompt**:
\`\`\`
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/step-3-feature-impl-implement.md
Architecture: <summary from Phase 2>
\`\`\`
## Completion
Mark todos complete. Report:
1.Files created/modified
2.Tests added
3.Remaining work
Task File Example (step-1-feature-impl-research.md)
markdown
# Step 1: Feature Research
## Context
You are the research phase of a feature implementation workflow.
## Goal
Thoroughly understand the feature requirements and existing codebase context before any implementation begins.
## Instructions
1.**Parse Feature Request**
-Extract core requirements
-Identify acceptance criteria
-Note any constraints mentioned
2.**Codebase Analysis**
-Search for similar existing features
-Identify relevant patterns and conventions
-Find reusable components/utilities
3.**Dependency Check**
-What existing code will this feature interact with?
-Are there breaking change risks?
-What tests exist for related functionality?
4.**Gap Analysis**
-What's missing from the request?
-What clarifications might be needed?
-What edge cases should be considered?
## Constraints
-Do NOT write any implementation code
-Do NOT modify any files
-Focus purely on research and analysis
## Expected Output
Return a structured research summary:
\`\`\`markdown
## Feature Understanding
-Core requirement: <summary>
-Acceptance criteria: <list>
## Codebase Context
-Similar features: <list with file paths>
-Patterns to follow: <list>
-Reusable code: <list with file paths>
## Dependencies
-Files affected: <list>
-Tests to consider: <list>
## Open Questions
-<Question 1>
-<Question 2>
## Recommendation
<Brief recommendation for architecture phase>
\`\`\`
## Success Criteria
-[ ] Feature requirements clearly articulated
-[ ] Relevant existing code identified
-[ ] No implementation attempted
-[ ] Clear handoff to architecture phase

Known Limitations

LimitationImpactWorkaround
No nested sub-agentsSub-agents can't spawn Task toolKeep all orchestration in main command
No skill auto-loadingSub-agents don't trigger skillsPass explicit file paths or inline context
Fresh context per agentEach dispatch starts emptyUse resume pattern OR pass summaries
File read latencyExtra tool call per stepAcceptable trade-off for context savings

Validation Checklist

Before finalizing workflow command:

  • [ ] Each step has clear, specific goal
  • [ ] Task files are self-contained (sub-agent doesn't need external context)
  • [ ] File paths use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} for portability
  • [ ] Context passed between steps is minimal (summaries, not full data)
  • [ ] Orchestrator command stays lean (<100 tokens per step dispatch)
  • [ ] Error handling defined for step failures
  • [ ] Success criteria measurable for each step

Create the Workflow

Based on user input, create:

  1. Directories:
  • ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/tasks/ - All task files directly here
  • ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/agents/ - (Optional) Custom agent definitions
  1. Task files: Create in tasks/ directory with naming pattern step-N-<workflow>-<name>.md
  • Example: step-1-feature-impl-research.md
  • Example: step-2-feature-impl-architecture.md
  • Shared context: common-context.md directly in tasks/
  1. Orchestrator command: Lean dispatch logic in commands/<workflow-name>.md
  1. Custom agents (Optional): If workflow needs specialized agent behavior in agents/
  1. Update plugin.json: Add command to plugin manifest if needed

After creation, suggest testing with /customaize-agent:test-prompt command.

Security

  • Security scanPassed, 95 of 100Pattern checks on the skill's files.
  • Model reviewPassed

Quality evaluation

  • Task evaluationNot runNo evaluation yet. Run one in Skill Studio.

Source

Popularity

Repository stars
1,308
Repository forks
136
7-day trend score
36

Stars and forks are for the whole GitHub repository, not this skill alone. Refreshed 24 Apr 2026, 6 months ago.

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