Orchestrate

Orchestrate Skill

Multi-agent workflow orchestration using native Claude Code features.

Overview

Runs the full 5-phase workflow with optional human approvals and multi-agent validation.

Prerequisites

• SurrealDB configured (SURREAL_URL) for workflow state persistence.

Usage

/orchestrate [--autonomous] [--project <name>]

Arguments

• --autonomous: Run fully autonomously without asking for approval (default: interactive)
• --project <name>: Use nested project in projects/<name>/ (default: current directory)

Execution Modes

Interactive Mode (Default)

• Asks for approval before starting implementation
• Pauses on errors and asks how to proceed
• Shows progress and asks clarifying questions
• Best for: New projects, complex features, learning the codebase

Autonomous Mode (--autonomous)

• Makes all decisions automatically based on best practices
• Retries up to 3 times on failure before aborting
• Never asks questions - proceeds with best-guess decisions
• Best for: Well-defined projects, overnight runs, CI/CD integration

Architecture

Claude Code (This Session = Orchestrator)
    |
    +-- Task Tool --> Worker Claude (70% cheaper than subprocess)
    |
    +-- Bash Tool --> cursor-agent CLI (security review)
    |
    +-- Bash Tool --> gemini CLI (architecture review)
    |
    +-- SurrealDB --> State persistence (workflow_state, phase_outputs, logs)

Workflow Phases

Storage Architecture

Workflow state is persisted in SurrealDB only. Use the repositories and adapters in orchestrator/db/ to read/write:

• workflow_state for current phase and status
• phase_outputs for plan, validation, implementation, and verification results
• logs for escalations, approvals, and research artifacts

Project Directory Resolution

The skill determines the project directory as follows:

1. Current directory mode (default): Works in the current working directory

   /orchestrate                    # Uses current directory
   

2. Nested project mode: Works in projects/<name>/

   /orchestrate --project my-app   # Uses projects/my-app/
   

Execution Instructions

Starting a Workflow

1. Determine project directory:

   • If --project <name>: Use projects/<name>/
   • Otherwise: Use current working directory

2. Discover and read documentation (Phase 0.5):

   • See "Phase 0.5: Document Discovery" section below
   • This MUST happen before planning

3. Parse arguments:

   • Check for --autonomous flag
   • Set execution_mode: "afk" if autonomous, "hitl" otherwise

4. Initialize state (if new):

   {
     "project_name": "<dirname>",
     "project_dir": "<absolute path>",
     "execution_mode": "hitl|afk",
     "current_phase": 0,
     "phase_status": {
       "discovery": "pending",
       "discussion": "pending",
       "planning": "pending",
       "validation": "pending",
       "implementation": "pending",
       "verification": "pending",
       "completion": "pending"
     },
     "docs_index": null
   }
   

5. Execute phases sequentially using appropriate skills/tools.

Phase 0.5: Document Discovery

CRITICAL: Before planning, read ALL documentation from the Docs/ folder to build full context.

Step 1: Find Documentation Folder

Search for documentation in this order (use first found):

1. Docs/ - Primary documentation folder (preferred)
2. Documents/ - Legacy naming (fallback)
3. docs/ - Lowercase alternative (fallback)

Glob: Docs/**/*.md

If no folder found, check fallback locations. If all missing, apply "Missing Docs/ Behavior" below.

Step 2: Read All Markdown Files

Recursively read ALL .md files in the documentation folder:

What Gets Read:

• Docs/PRODUCT.md - Feature specification (REQUIRED, can be anywhere in Docs/)
• ALL .md files in Docs/ and ALL subfolders (any structure)

The structure is completely flexible. The orchestrator adapts to whatever documentation exists and however it's organized.

Use Glob to find files:

Glob: Docs/**/*.md

Then read each file with the Read tool.

Step 3: Build Context Summary

After reading all documentation, build a mental model of:

• What we're building (from any vision/goals documentation)
• Why (from problem statement in PRODUCT.md)
• How it should work (from any architecture/design documentation)
• Constraints (from any requirements/constraints documentation)
• Past decisions (from any decision records/ADRs)
• Success criteria (from acceptance criteria in PRODUCT.md)

Step 4: Save Documentation Index

Save an index of discovered documentation to logs (type=docs_index):

{
  "discovered_at": "2026-01-22T12:00:00Z",
  "docs_folder": "Docs/",
  "files": [
    {
      "path": "Docs/PRODUCT.md",
      "summary": "Feature specification for user authentication"
    },
    {
      "path": "Docs/goals.md",
      "summary": "High-level product goals and target users"
    },
    {
      "path": "Docs/design/system-overview.md",
      "summary": "System architecture and component design"
    }
  ],
  "total_files": 5,
  "has_product_md": true
}

Note: The structure shown above is just an example. Docs/ can have ANY folder structure - the orchestrator reads all .md files regardless of how they're organized.

Update state with docs_index reference.

Missing Docs/ Behavior

Interactive Mode (hitl): If Docs/ folder is missing or empty:

1. Inform user: "No Docs/ folder found in project root."
2. Use AskQuestion tool with options:
   • Create template: Create a Docs/ folder with template files
   • Specify location: Point to where your documentation is
   • Continue anyway: Proceed without documentation (not recommended)
3. Wait for user response before proceeding

Autonomous Mode (afk): If Docs/ folder is missing or empty:

1. Log error: "Docs/ folder required for autonomous mode. Cannot proceed without documentation."
2. Set phase_status.discovery = "failed"
3. ABORT workflow - do NOT proceed without documentation
4. Exit with clear error message explaining what's needed

Fallback: PRODUCT.md in Root

If no Docs/ folder exists but PRODUCT.md exists in project root:

1. Log warning: "Using legacy PRODUCT.md location. Consider moving to Docs/PRODUCT.md"
2. Read root PRODUCT.md as the specification
3. Proceed with limited context (no supporting documentation)
4. In autonomous mode: Still abort - autonomous requires full Docs/ folder

Phase 0: Discussion

Interactive Mode: Gather requirements through conversation:

• Ask about preferences, constraints, priorities
• Document decisions in CONTEXT.md
• Update state: phase_status.discussion = "completed"

Autonomous Mode: Skip this phase entirely - proceed directly to planning based on PRODUCT.md.

Phase 1: Planning

Use Task tool to spawn a planning worker:

Task(
  subagent_type="Plan",
  prompt="""
  Create an implementation plan for the feature specified in the project documentation.

  ## Documentation to Read

  Read ALL documentation discovered in Phase 0.5:

  **Required:**
  - Docs/PRODUCT.md (feature specification)

  **Also read (check docs_index log for full list):**
  - ALL `.md` files in Docs/ and subfolders (any structure)
  - CONTEXT.md (developer preferences from discussion, if exists)

  The documentation structure is flexible - read everything available.

  ## Context Summary

  Before planning, verify you understand:
  - What we're building (from available documentation)
  - Why (from problem statement)
  - Technical constraints (from available documentation)
  - Success criteria (from acceptance criteria)

  ## Output: plan.json

  Create plan.json with:
  - Feature overview (from PRODUCT.md)
  - Architecture notes (from Docs/architecture/)
  - Tasks breakdown (small, focused tasks)
  - File changes per task
  - Test strategy per task
  - Dependencies between tasks

  Each task should:
  - Touch max 3 files to create
  - Touch max 5 files to modify
  - Have clear acceptance criteria
  - Be completable in <10 minutes
  - Respect architecture constraints from Docs/architecture/
  """,
  run_in_background=false
)

Save result to phase_outputs (type=plan).

Interactive Mode: Show plan summary to user and ask for approval before proceeding.

Autonomous Mode: Proceed directly to validation without asking.

Update state: phase_status.planning = "completed", current_phase = 2.

Phase 2: Validation

Optional: Skip if Cursor/Gemini CLIs are not available.

Run Cursor and Gemini in parallel via Bash (if available):

Cursor (Security Focus):

cursor-agent --print --output-format json "
Review plan JSON from `phase_outputs` (type=plan) for:
- Security vulnerabilities in proposed changes
- Code quality concerns
- Testing coverage adequacy
- OWASP Top 10 risks

Return JSON:
{
  \"agent\": \"cursor\",
  \"approved\": true|false,
  \"score\": 1-10,
  \"assessment\": \"summary\",
  \"concerns\": [{\"area\": \"\", \"severity\": \"high|medium|low\", \"description\": \"\"}],
  \"blocking_issues\": []
}
" > cursor-feedback.json

Gemini (Architecture Focus):

gemini --yolo "
Review plan JSON from `phase_outputs` (type=plan) for:
- Architecture patterns and design
- Scalability considerations
- Technical debt risks
- Maintainability

Return JSON:
{
  \"agent\": \"gemini\",
  \"approved\": true|false,
  \"score\": 1-10,
  \"assessment\": \"summary\",
  \"concerns\": [{\"area\": \"\", \"severity\": \"high|medium|low\", \"description\": \"\"}],
  \"blocking_issues\": []
}
" > gemini-feedback.json

Approval Criteria (Phase 2):

• Combined score >= 6.0
• No blocking issues from either agent
• If conflict: Security (Cursor) weight 0.8, Architecture (Gemini) weight 0.7

Interactive Mode: If validation fails, show issues and ask user how to proceed:

• [Retry] - Modify plan and re-validate
• [Skip] - Proceed to implementation anyway
• [Abort] - Stop workflow

Autonomous Mode: If validation fails, retry up to 3 times. After max retries, skip validation and proceed with a warning.

Update state: validation_feedback, phase_status.validation = "completed", current_phase = 3.

Phase 3: Implementation

For each task in plan.tasks:

1. Select next task (respecting dependencies)
2. Spawn worker Claude via Task tool:

Task(
  subagent_type="general-purpose",
  prompt="""
  ## Task: {task.title}

  ## User Story
  {task.user_story}

  ## Acceptance Criteria
  {task.acceptance_criteria}

  ## Files to Create
  {task.files_to_create}

  ## Files to Modify
  {task.files_to_modify}

  ## Test Files
  {task.test_files}

  ## Instructions
  1. Read CLAUDE.md for coding standards (if exists)
  2. Write failing tests FIRST (TDD)
  3. Implement code to make tests pass
  4. Run tests to verify: pytest or npm test
  5. Signal completion with: TASK_COMPLETE

  ## Constraints
  - Only modify files listed above
  - Follow existing code patterns
  - No security vulnerabilities
  """,
  run_in_background=false
)

3. Update task status in state
4. Handle errors:
   • Interactive Mode: Ask user how to proceed (Retry/Skip/Abort)
   • Autonomous Mode: Retry up to 3 times, then mark task as failed and continue
5. Repeat until all tasks complete

Update state: phase_status.implementation = "completed", current_phase = 4.

Phase 4: Verification

Optional: Skip if Cursor/Gemini CLIs are not available.

Run Cursor and Gemini in parallel via Bash (if available):

Cursor (Code Review):

cursor-agent --print --output-format json "
Review the implemented code for:
- Security vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
- Code quality and best practices
- Test coverage adequacy
- Potential bugs

Check files changed in implementation.

Return JSON:
{
  \"agent\": \"cursor\",
  \"approved\": true|false,
  \"score\": 1-10,
  \"assessment\": \"summary\",
  \"issues\": [{\"file\": \"\", \"line\": 0, \"severity\": \"\", \"description\": \"\"}],
  \"blocking_issues\": []
}
" > cursor-review.json

Gemini (Architecture Review):

gemini --yolo "
Review the implemented code for:
- Architecture compliance with plan
- Design pattern correctness
- Scalability concerns
- Technical debt introduced

Return JSON:
{
  \"agent\": \"gemini\",
  \"approved\": true|false,
  \"score\": 1-10,
  \"assessment\": \"summary\",
  \"issues\": [{\"file\": \"\", \"concern\": \"\", \"severity\": \"\"}],
  \"blocking_issues\": []
}
" > gemini-review.json

Approval Criteria (Phase 4):

• BOTH agents must approve
• Score >= 7.0 from each
• No blocking issues

Interactive Mode: If not approved, show issues and ask user:

• [Fix Issues] - Return to Phase 3 to fix
• [Accept Anyway] - Proceed with warnings
• [Abort] - Stop workflow

Autonomous Mode: If not approved, retry fixes up to 3 times. After max retries, complete with warnings logged.

Update state: verification_feedback, phase_status.verification = "completed", current_phase = 5.

Phase 5: Completion

Generate summary documentation:

1. Create summary entry in phase_outputs (type=summary):

   • Features implemented
   • Files changed
   • Tests added
   • Review scores

2. Create UAT document if configured

3. Generate handoff brief for session resume

Update state: phase_status.completion = "completed".

Error Handling

Interactive Mode (hitl)

On Phase Failure:

1. Log error to state.errors
2. Show error details to user
3. Ask: [Retry] / [Skip] / [Abort]
4. Wait for user decision

On Agent Timeout:

1. Inform user of timeout
2. Ask: [Retry] / [Skip Agent] / [Abort]

On Conflict:

1. Show conflicting feedback from agents
2. Ask user to make final decision

Autonomous Mode (afk)

On Phase Failure:

1. Log error to state.errors
2. Increment retry count (max 3)
3. If max retries: Skip phase with warning OR abort if critical
4. Continue to next phase

On Agent Timeout:

1. Log timeout to state
2. Skip agent and note in summary
3. Continue without that agent's review

On Conflict: Use automatic resolution:

• Security issues: Cursor weight 0.8
• Architecture issues: Gemini weight 0.7
• If still tied: Prefer the more conservative option

Resuming Workflows

1. Read workflow_state from SurrealDB
2. Check current_phase and phase_status
3. Resume from last incomplete phase
4. Preserve all previous feedback and decisions

Token Efficiency

Outputs

• SurrealDB records in workflow_state, phase_outputs, and logs.

Error Handling

• If SurrealDB is unavailable, abort with DatabaseRequiredError.
• On repeated phase failure (3 attempts), escalate to human decision.

Related Skills

• /plan-feature - Detailed planning phase
• /validate-plan - Detailed validation phase
• /implement-task - Single task implementation
• /verify-code - Detailed verification phase
• /resolve-conflict - Conflict resolution
• /call-cursor - Cursor agent wrapper
• /call-gemini - Gemini agent wrapper

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