Simple Task Workflow
Minimal path for straightforward tasks that don't require full orchestration complexity.
Overview
Not every task requires the full 6-stage workflow. Simple tasks can follow a streamlined path while still maintaining quality.
flowchart LR
INPUT["Input"]
EXECUTE["Execute"]
VERIFY["Verify"]
OUTPUT["Output"]
INPUT --> EXECUTE --> VERIFY --> OUTPUT
When to Use Simple Workflow
flowchart TD
START["New task arrives"]
Q1{"Single, clear<br/>deliverable?"}
Q2{"No research<br/>needed?"}
Q3{"No delegation<br/>required?"}
Q4{"Familiar<br/>domain?"}
SIMPLE["→ Simple Workflow"]
FULL["→ Full Workflow"]
START --> Q1
Q1 -->|"Yes"| Q2
Q1 -->|"No"| FULL
Q2 -->|"Yes"| Q3
Q2 -->|"No"| FULL
Q3 -->|"Yes"| Q4
Q3 -->|"No"| FULL
Q4 -->|"Yes"| SIMPLE
Q4 -->|"No"| FULL
Simple Task Criteria:
- Single, well-defined deliverable
- No context gathering needed
- No sub-agent delegation
- Familiar technology/patterns
- Clear acceptance criteria
Simple Task Flow
flowchart TB
subgraph INPUT["1. INPUT"]
I1["Receive request"]
I2["Confirm understanding"]
end
subgraph EXECUTE["2. EXECUTE"]
E1["Implement solution"]
E2["Use tools directly"]
end
subgraph VERIFY["3. VERIFY"]
V1["Check deliverable"]
V2["Run /verify if needed"]
end
subgraph OUTPUT["4. OUTPUT"]
O1["Present result"]
O2["Commit if appropriate"]
end
INPUT --> EXECUTE --> VERIFY --> OUTPUT
Detailed Sequence
sequenceDiagram
participant U as User
participant O as Orchestrator
U->>O: Simple request
O->>O: Confirm: Single deliverable?
O->>O: Confirm: No research needed?
O->>O: Confirm: Familiar domain?
alt All Yes
Note over O: Simple Workflow
O->>O: Execute directly
O->>O: Quick verify
O->>U: Deliver result
else Any No
Note over O: Full Workflow
O->>O: Use full 6-stage process
end
Assets Used in Simple Workflow
| Stage | Required | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Input | - | /sessions (if session management needed) |
| Execute | Direct tool use | - |
| Verify | Quick self-check | /verify, /am-i-complete |
| Output | Present result | git-commit-helper |
Minimal Asset Path:
Input → [Direct Execution] → Quick Check → Output
Enhanced Asset Path:
Input → [Direct Execution] → /verify → git-commit-helper → Output
Example Simple Tasks
Example 1: Fix Typo
flowchart LR
A["User: Fix typo<br/>in README"]
B["Read file"]
C["Edit file"]
D["Present fix"]
A --> B --> C --> D
No extra assets needed. Direct execution is sufficient.
Example 2: Add Function
flowchart LR
A["User: Add helper<br/>function"]
B["Read context"]
C["Write function"]
D["Quick verify"]
E["Present code"]
A --> B --> C --> D --> E
Optional: Use /verify before presenting if function is non-trivial.
Example 3: Update Config
flowchart LR
A["User: Update config<br/>value"]
B["Read config"]
C["Edit value"]
D["Validate format"]
E["Present change"]
A --> B --> C --> D --> E
No extra assets needed. Format validation is direct.
Escalation Triggers
Switch to full workflow if:
flowchart TD
SIMPLE["Simple workflow<br/>in progress"]
T1["Unexpected complexity<br/>discovered"]
T2["Research becomes<br/>necessary"]
T3["Multiple deliverables<br/>emerge"]
T4["Delegation would<br/>help"]
FULL["Switch to<br/>Full Workflow"]
SIMPLE --> T1 --> FULL
SIMPLE --> T2 --> FULL
SIMPLE --> T3 --> FULL
SIMPLE --> T4 --> FULL
Escalation Indicators:
- "I need to research this first"
- "This requires multiple steps"
- "An agent would handle this better"
- "I'm uncertain about the approach"
Quality Gates for Simple Tasks
Even simple tasks need minimal verification:
flowchart TD
COMPLETE["Task appears<br/>complete"]
G1{"Deliverable<br/>matches request?"}
G2{"No obvious<br/>errors?"}
G3{"Would I be<br/>satisfied as user?"}
DONE["✅ Deliver"]
REVIEW["⚠️ Review again"]
COMPLETE --> G1
G1 -->|"Yes"| G2
G1 -->|"No"| REVIEW
G2 -->|"Yes"| G3
G2 -->|"No"| REVIEW
G3 -->|"Yes"| DONE
G3 -->|"No"| REVIEW
Simple vs Full Workflow Comparison
| Aspect | Simple Workflow | Full Workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Stages | 4 (Input, Execute, Verify, Output) | 6 (all stages) |
| Context Gathering | None | Dedicated phase |
| Planning | Implicit | Explicit with skills |
| Delegation | None | Available |
| Verification | Quick check | Full verify skill |
| Assets Used | 0-2 | Multiple |
| Typical Duration | Short | Varies |
Decision Matrix
| Task Type | Workflow | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Fix typo | Simple | Single edit, no research |
| Add simple function | Simple | Clear scope, familiar pattern |
| Refactor module | Full | Multiple files, needs planning |
| Debug issue | Full | Investigation required |
| New feature | Full | Decomposition needed |
| Update config value | Simple | Single change, clear target |
| Create test suite | Full | Multiple files, planning needed |
Common Patterns
Pattern: Quick Edit
1. Read target file
2. Make edit
3. Present change
Pattern: Add Small Component
1. Read existing code for context
2. Write new component
3. Quick verify syntax/patterns
4. Present result
Pattern: Configuration Change
1. Read current config
2. Make change
3. Validate format
4. Present updated config
Navigation
- Previous: Multi-Agent Orchestration
- Next: Investigation Workflow
- Back to: Index