# Amplihack Expert

> Comprehensive knowledge of amplihack framework architecture, patterns, and usage

- Skill: `rysweet/amplihack-expert` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add rysweet/amplihack-expert`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rysweet/amplihack-expert/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: rysweet (https://skillmd.com/u/rysweet)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rysweet/amplihack-expert

---


# amplihack Expert Knowledge

## What is amplihack?

Engineering system for coding CLIs (Claude, Copilot, Amplifier): 5 mechanisms, 23-step workflow, 30+ agents, 80+ skills. Core entry point: `/dev <task>` — unified task orchestrator with auto-classification, parallel workstream detection, and goal-seeking execution loop.

## Quick Reference

### Top Commands

| Command           | Purpose        | Use When              |
| ----------------- | -------------- | --------------------- |
| /dev              | Orchestrate    | Any non-trivial task  |
| /analyze          | Review         | Check compliance      |
| /fix              | Fix errors     | Common error patterns |
| /amplihack:ddd:\* | Doc-driven dev | 10+ file features     |
| /multitask        | Parallel tasks | Sprint/batch work     |

### Top Agents

| Agent     | Role    |
| --------- | ------- |
| architect | Design  |
| builder   | Code    |
| reviewer  | Quality |
| tester    | Tests   |

### Workflows

| Name             | Steps |
| ---------------- | ----- |
| DEFAULT_WORKFLOW | 23    |
| INVESTIGATION    | 6     |
| FIX              | 3     |

## Navigation Guide

**Quick**: SKILL.md | **Architecture**: reference.md | **How-To**: examples.md | **Deep**: all

## Core Concepts

**5 Mechanisms:** Workflow (process), Command (entry), Skill (auto), Agent (delegate), Hook (runtime)

**Composition:** Commands → Workflows → Agents → Skills

**Execution:** `/dev` orchestrates — classifies task, detects parallel workstreams, executes via smart-orchestrator recipe, goal-seeking loop (3 rounds max)

**Entry point:** `/dev <task>` → dev-orchestrator skill → smart-orchestrator recipe → default-workflow recipe

## dev-orchestrator Architecture

**Entry point**: `/dev <task>` or any non-trivial prompt

**Routing:**

- Q&A → `amplihack:core:analyzer` responds directly
- Operations → bash (simple) or `amplihack:core:builder` (complex)
- Development/Investigation → smart-orchestrator recipe (full orchestration)

**Execution flow:**

1. Classify task (architect agent → JSON decomposition)
2. Detect workstreams (1 = single session, 2-5 = parallel via multitask)
3. Register session in tree (depth/capacity enforcement)
4. Execute rounds (up to 3, goal-seeking reflection loop)
5. Summarize results with PR links and GOAL_STATUS

**Session tree**: Prevents infinite recursion

- `AMPLIHACK_MAX_DEPTH=3` (default) — increase to 5 for deep orchestration
- `AMPLIHACK_MAX_SESSIONS=10` (default) — max concurrent sessions per tree

**Status signals:**

- `GOAL_STATUS: ACHIEVED` — all criteria met
- `GOAL_STATUS: PARTIAL -- [gaps]` — another round will run
- `GOAL_STATUS: NOT_ACHIEVED -- [reason]` — final failure status

## Related Docs

- reference.md: Architecture (5 mechanisms, 5 layers, hooks)
- examples.md: Scenarios (5+ real examples)
- @~/.amplihack/.claude/context/PHILOSOPHY.md: Core principles
- @~/.amplihack/.claude/workflow/DEFAULT_WORKFLOW.md: 23 steps
- @~/.amplihack/.claude/agents/amplihack/: All agents
- @~/.amplihack/.claude/commands/amplihack/: All commands
- @~/.amplihack/.claude/tools/amplihack/hooks/: Hook system
- amplifier-bundle/recipes/smart-orchestrator.yaml: Core orchestration recipe
- amplifier-bundle/tools/session_tree.py: Recursion guard (depth limits)
- amplifier-bundle/tools/orch_helper.py: JSON extraction helper