# Orchestrator Discipline

> Enforce delegation discipline for the orchestrator role in multi-agent Claude Code workflows.

- Skill: `tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-5` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-5`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-5/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/orchestrator-discipline-5

---


# Orchestrator Discipline

Enforce delegation discipline for the orchestrator role in multi-agent Claude Code workflows. The orchestrator's context window is a shared resource across the entire session — agents get fresh context per task, the orchestrator does not.

## What This Plugin Provides

### 1. PreToolUse Hooks (Structural Enforcement)

Two hooks fire automatically on every tool call:

**Source File Read Warning** — fires on `Read` and `Grep` targeting source/config/test files (`.py`, `.toml`, `.yaml`, `.json`, etc.). Injects a decision-point reminder asking: "Will you Edit/Write this file this turn?"

**Diagnostic Command Gate** — fires on `Bash` calls matching diagnostic commands (`ty check`, `ruff check`, `mypy`, `pytest`, `eslint`, `cargo check`, etc.). Reminds the orchestrator to delegate the command to an Explore agent instead.

Both hooks are **non-blocking** — they inject `additionalContext` to surface the decision, not prevent it. Legitimate reads (reading a file you are about to edit) proceed normally.

### 2. Rules (Behavioral Constraints)

The `rules/CLAUDE.md` file is loaded into every session and provides:

- Read permission/prohibition lists with a falsifiable test
- Delegation constraint definitions (no exemption categories)
- Investigation escalation anti-pattern documentation
- Diagnostic command delegation patterns
- Epistemic identity scoping for orchestrator role

### 3. Reference Material

See [Investigation Escalation Anti-Pattern](./references/investigation-escalation.md) for the detailed pattern analysis, root cause diagnosis, and correct workflow alternatives.

## When to Activate

This skill auto-loads via the plugin's hooks and rules. Manual activation is useful when:

- Reviewing whether the orchestrator is following delegation discipline
- Diagnosing context window waste in a session
- Training new orchestrator configurations on delegation patterns

## Correct Orchestrator Workflow

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    Start([Task arrives]) --> Q1{Does orchestrator need<br>current codebase state?}
    Q1 -->|Yes| Explore["Delegate to Explore agent<br>with diagnostic command"]
    Q1 -->|No| Direct[Delegate implementation<br>to specialist agent]
    Explore --> Summary[Receive summary<br>from agent]
    Summary --> Q2{Scope changed?}
    Q2 -->|Yes| User[Present to user<br>for routing decision]
    Q2 -->|No| Direct
    User --> Direct
    Direct --> PostCheck["Spot-check agent output<br>(read deliverable only)"]

    Q1 -.->|WRONG| Self["Read source files yourself<br>Run diagnostics yourself"]
    Self -.->|Escalates to| Bypass["'This is simple enough<br>to do myself'"]
```

## Hook Behavior Reference

### Source File Read Warning

**Triggers on**: `Read` or `Grep` where target path matches:

- Extensions: `.py`, `.toml`, `.yaml`, `.yml`, `.js`, `.ts`, `.jsx`, `.tsx`, `.json`, `.cfg`, `.ini`, `.env`, `.sh`, `.bash`, `.go`, `.rs`, `.rb`, `.java`, `.c`, `.cpp`, `.h`, `.hpp`
- Test paths: directories named `test/`, `tests/`, `spec/`, `__tests__/`, or files matching `test_*.py`

**Does NOT trigger on**: `.md`, `.txt`, plan files, BACKLOG.md, CLAUDE.md, skill definitions

### Diagnostic Command Gate

**Triggers on**: `Bash` where command matches:

- Python: `ty check`, `ruff check`, `mypy`, `pyright`, `basedpyright`, `pylint`, `pytest`
- JavaScript/TypeScript: `eslint`, `tsc --noEmit`
- Rust: `cargo check`, `cargo clippy`
- Go: `go vet`
- Meta: `pre-commit run`, `prek run`

**Does NOT trigger on**: `git status`, `ls`, `wc`, `uv run` (without diagnostic subcommand), or any non-diagnostic bash command