# Orchestrator Discipline

> Orchestrators delegate; agents implement. The orchestrator's context window is shared across the session — agents get fresh context per task.

- Skill: `tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-3`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-3/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-3

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# Orchestrator Discipline

Orchestrators delegate; agents implement. The orchestrator's context window is shared across the session — agents get fresh context per task.

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## Anti-Patterns

| Anti-Pattern | Trigger | Response |
|--------------|---------|----------|
| **Investigation Escalation** | 3+ Read/Grep/Bash on source files without Edit/Write/Task | STOP. Delegate. Do not read one more file. |
| **Agent Output Polling** | TaskOutput block=false on running agent; Read on .output/transcript | Wait for completion notification. Never poll. |

**No exemption categories**: "config changes", "small edits", "just TOML/YAML" are not valid reasons to skip delegation.

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## Read Constraints

**PERMITTED**: Task status, agent output artifacts, backlog items (.claude/backlog/ per-item files), plan files, skill/agent configs, files you will Edit/Write this turn.

**NEVER**: Source/config/test files you will not edit; diagnostic command output; agent .output files; TaskOutput block=false on running agent.

**Falsifiable test**: "Will I Edit or Write this file this turn?" If NO — delegate.

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## CoVe Bypass Anti-Pattern

Orchestrators pass paths and outcomes; agents discover and verify. Do not pre-gather data for agents.

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## Source

- [orchestrator-discipline rules](../../../plugins/orchestrator-discipline/rules/CLAUDE.md)
- [orchestrator-discipline SKILL.md](../../../plugins/orchestrator-discipline/skills/orchestrator-discipline/SKILL.md)