# Mk Autobuild > Runs autonomous multi-hour green-field builds: planner, contract, generator/evaluator loop, scaffolding density per model tier. NOT for scoped tasks (mk:cook); NOT for scaffolding only (mk:bootstrap). - Skill: `ngocsangyem/mk-autobuild-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 14 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ngocsangyem/mk-autobuild-3` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ngocsangyem/mk-autobuild-3/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: ngocsangyem (https://skillmd.com/u/ngocsangyem) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ngocsangyem/mk-autobuild-3 --- # mk:autobuild — Autonomous Multi-Hour Build Orchestration Step-file workflow that runs the complete generator/evaluator harness pipeline as an autonomous build. Handles green-field product builds (planner stage → contract stage → evaluator loop → ship decision) with adaptive scaffolding density based on detected model tier. ## When to Use Activate when: - User runs `the autobuild skill "build a X"` (or any green-field product description) - Existing kit detection routes a green-field "build me an app" intent here instead of `mk:cook` - A multi-hour autonomous build is requested with no manual handholding Skip when: - The task is a single feature, bug fix, or refactor → use `the cook skill` instead - The task is a doc update → use the existing doc skills - The request is "explain X" or "review Y" → use the appropriate single-shot skill ## Hard Constraints 1. **Adaptive density** — picks scaffolding density via `mk:scale-routing` (or `density-select.sh`); honors `MEOWKIT_AUTOBUILD_MODE` env override 2. **Budget caps** — warns at $30 spent, requires explicit approval at $100, hard-blocks at user-set `--budget` value 3. **6-hour wall-clock timeout** — hard limit per Anthropic's observed runs ; checkpoints every step for resumability 4. **Max 3 iteration rounds** between generator and evaluator before escalating to human (configurable via `--max-iter`) 5. **Run report mandatory** — every autobuild run produces `tasks/autobuild-runs/YYMMDD-{slug}/run.md` with full audit trail 6. **Coexists with `mk:cook`** — does not replace it; both route through Gate 1 + Gate 2 7. **TDD opt-in (parallel to cook):** autobuild respects `--tdd` like other flows. Default: no RED-phase gate. With `--tdd`: writes the `.meowkit/state/tdd-mode` sentinel and the developer waits on tester before each generator iteration. Active-verification HARD GATE (Rule 8 of `harness-rules.md`) is independent of TDD mode and always applies. ## Workflow Execute via `workflow.md`. Step-file architecture — load one step at a time. ``` Step 0: Tier Detection → call mk:scale-routing; pick density (MINIMAL|FULL|LEAN) Step 1: Plan → invoke mk:plan-creator --product-level Step 2: Contract → invoke mk:sprint-contract (skipped if LEAN + small) Step 3: Generate → spawn developer sub-task w/ 4-subphase pattern Step 4: Evaluate → invoke mk:evaluate Step 5: Iterate or Ship → PASS → shipper; FAIL → loop to step-3 (max --max-iter) Step 6: Run Report → write the audit trail ``` ## Density Modes | Mode | Tier | Planner | Contract | Iteration Loop | Context Reset | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | **MINIMAL** | TRIVIAL | Skip (use plan-creator --fast) | Skip | Skip | Skip | | **FULL** | STANDARD / COMPLEX (default) | Required | Required | 1–3 rounds | Optional | | **LEAN** | COMPLEX, explicitly opted in | Required | Optional | 0–1 rounds | Skip (auto-compact) | Cursor agents run with `model: inherit` — there is no per-call model-id string to auto-detect, so density never self-selects LEAN. LEAN is reachable only via an explicit `--tier lean` flag or `MEOWKIT_AUTOBUILD_MODE=LEAN`; see `references/adaptive-density-matrix.md` for the full rationale and override sources. ## Run Report Schema Every run writes `tasks/autobuild-runs/YYMMDD-{slug}/run.md`: ```markdown --- run_id: 260408-1450-build-todo density: LEAN model: inherit (tier set via --tier lean) budget_cap: 50 budget_spent: 12.40 iterations: 1 status: PASS | WARN | FAIL | ESCALATED | TIMED_OUT started: 2026-04-08T14:50:00Z ended: 2026-04-08T15:18:00Z --- # Autobuild Run — {task description} ## Density Decision - Tier: {tier} - Model: inherit ({model-hint if user supplied one via --model, else "not detectable"}) - Density: {MINIMAL|FULL|LEAN} - Source: scale-routing | env-override | --tier flag ## Per-Step Artifacts - step-00: {tier-detection result} - step-01: tasks/plans/{plan-dir}/plan.md - step-02: tasks/contracts/{contract}.md (or "skipped — LEAN small sprint") - step-03: handoff at tasks/handoff/{slug}-sprint-1.md - step-04: verdict at tasks/reviews/{slug}-evalverdict.md - step-05: iteration count + final action - step-06: this file ## Budget Trail | Step | Spent | Cumulative | |---|---|---| | ... | ... | ... | ## Final Verdict {PASS/FAIL/ESCALATED summary + next action} ``` ## Gotchas - **Don't run on a non-green-field task.** Use `mk:cook` for single features, bug fixes, refactors. The autobuild workflow is for "build me an app" scope. - **Density override stays in scope.** `MEOWKIT_AUTOBUILD_MODE=LEAN` does NOT skip Gate 2. Review verdict is still mandatory before ship. - **Iteration loops are bounded.** Max 3 by default. After round 3, escalate — don't keep iterating blindly. - **Budget check is authoritative.** If `budget-tracker.sh` says block, the autobuild workflow halts even mid-iteration. - **Run reports are append-only.** Don't edit prior steps' entries — the report is the audit trail. - **Resumable.** If the autobuild workflow is killed mid-run, `the autobuild skill --resume {run-id}` picks up at the last completed step. ## `--advice` (composable, off by default) Opt-in strategic supervision for one run. At named macro checkpoints — GUIDE at the Plan/Contract boundary, RESCUE on a plateau or scope drift, REVIEW after the terminal evaluator verdict and before the Gate 2 question, RECHECK after a correction; hard cap 5 — the `athena` agent assesses the situation, recommends an operational path inside the locked scope, and may return the work for correction. It never approves. Gate 2 stays human, the evaluator keeps its verdict and its active-verification hard gate, and the iteration cap and budget thresholds keep their own schedules. Checkpoints are macro boundaries — never per generated artifact and never per evaluator iteration, so a five-round build makes no more calls than a one-round build. Without the flag there are zero calls and no state is written. Checkpoints: `references/advice-checkpoints.md`. Contract: `.cursor/rules/domain-advice-supervision.mdc` (load only when the flag is present). ## References | File | Purpose | |---|---| | `workflow.md` | Step sequence + variable table | | `step-00-tier-detection.md` | Density selection via scale-routing | | `step-01-plan.md` | Product-level planning | | `step-02-contract.md` | Sprint contract negotiation | | `step-03-generate.md` | Developer sub-task dispatch with 4-subphase pattern | | `step-04-evaluate.md` | Evaluator dispatch | | `step-05-iterate-or-ship.md` | PASS/FAIL routing + iteration loop | | `step-06-run-report.md` | Audit trail writer | | `references/adaptive-density-matrix.md` | Full decision table per tier × model | | `references/agent-teams-vs-sub-task.md` | When to use teams vs file-based sub-task | | `scripts/density-select.sh` | Standalone density selector for scriptable use | | `scripts/budget-tracker.sh` | Cost-log reader; threshold warnings + hard block | | `../plan-creator/` | Planner stage (Step 1) — product-level planner | | `../sprint-contract/` | Contract stage (Step 2) — contract negotiation | | `../rubric/` | Rubric stage (Step 2/4) — rubric library | | `../evaluate/` | Evaluator stage (Step 4) — behavioral evaluator | | `../scale-routing/` | Tier + density emission | | `references/advice-checkpoints.md` | `--advice` checkpoint boundaries, caps, and what supervision may not touch | ## Start Read and follow `workflow.md`.