# Optimize Workflow

> Optimize CI runners and workflow structure for speed, simplicity, stability, and cost.

- Skill: `smartcontractkit/optimize-workflow` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add smartcontractkit/optimize-workflow`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/smartcontractkit/optimize-workflow/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: smartcontractkit (https://skillmd.com/u/smartcontractkit)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/smartcontractkit/optimize-workflow

---


<initialization>
1. Confirm missing inputs: target workflow, scope, priorities (default: stability > speed > cost).
2. Setup baseline:
   - Analyze target workflow (runners, caching, bottlenecks, critical path).
   - Setup test workflow (add `workflow_dispatch`, mock inputs if needed).
   - Init/resume trial log: `.github/.agents/skills/optimize-workflow/trials/[workflow]/summary.md`.
   - Record baseline run metrics.
</initialization>

<git_workflow>
To prevent index/branch lock conflicts:
- Do NOT checkout local trial branches.
- Push trial commits directly from working branch to remote refs:
  `git push -f origin HEAD:refs/heads/trial/[trial-name]`
- Delete remote trial refs on cleanup: `git push origin --delete trial/[trial-name]`
</git_workflow>

<constraints>
- Git: Direct ref pushes only. No local branch switching during trials.
- Runners: Prefer `ubuntu-latest`. Use `runs-on` for larger runners (verify API first).
- Scope: One change per trial. Keep cache status identical across comparison runs.
- Validation: Lint YAML (`actionlint` or dry-run) before pushing.
- Tools: Use `gh` CLI and workflow scripts for monitoring/comparisons.
</constraints>

<tools>
- Monitor: `python3 .github/.agents/skills/optimize-workflow/scripts/workflow_monitor.py [run_id] [trial-name]`
  - Outputs `report.json`, `report.md`, and runner logs to `.github/.agents/skills/optimize-workflow/trials/[workflow]/[trial-name]/`
  - Quick analysis: Inspect `## Longest Jobs (Bottlenecks)` in `report.md` or query `jq '.slowest_jobs[] | select(.is_outlier)' report.json` / `jq '([.jobs[].duration_seconds] | add / length) as $avg | .jobs[] | select(.duration_seconds > $avg * 1.5)' report.json`.
- Compare: `python3 .github/.agents/skills/optimize-workflow/scripts/workflow_compare.py [trial-1] [trial-2]`
  - Outputs `.github/.agents/skills/optimize-workflow/trials/[workflow]/[trial-1]-[trial-2]-comparison.md`
</tools>

<resources>
- [runs-on docs](https://runs-on.com/docs/) | [spot pricing](https://runs-on.com/docs/costs/spot-pricing/)
- [available runners](https://go.runs-on.com/api)
- [GitHub Actions docs](https://docs.github.com/en/actions)
</resources>

<loop>
1. Define single-variable trial and prompt for user approval.
2. Push commit to remote ref: `git push -f origin HEAD:refs/heads/trial/[trial-name]`.
3. Trigger run: `gh workflow run --ref trial/[trial-name]`.
4. Monitor run with `workflow_monitor.py`.
5. Compare with `workflow_compare.py` against baseline/previous trial.
6. Update trial log in `summary.md`. Include before/after diagram if structure changed.
7. Present condensed result to user; prompt for next trial or completion.

<trial-template>
| Runner | Structure | Experiment | Expectation | Branch | Run ID | Commit | Stability | Runtime | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `config` | `cached/parallel` | Tested change | Expected impact | `trial/...` | `id` | `sha` | Pass/Fail | mm:ss | $ | Notes |
</trial-template>
</loop>

<complete trigger="User stops loop or all trials done">
1. Recommend final configuration.
2. Output PR summary table and before/after Mermaid diagrams:

```md
### [Workflow/Job Name] Runner & Structure Changes

| Approach | Runner | Structure | Stability | Runtime | Runtime Delta (Abs/%) | Cost | Cost Delta (Abs/%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Old](link) | [runner] | [structure] | Pass/Fail | mm:ss | +0:00 (+0%) | $ | +$ (+0%) |
| [New](link) | [runner] | [structure] | Pass/Fail | mm:ss | +0:00 (+0%) | $ | +$ (+0%) |
```

3. Clean up debug code. Make final edits on working branch. Ask user to commit.
4. Delete remote trial branches (`git push origin --delete trial/[trial-name]`) and temporary files.
</complete>