mcpbeat

Writing Agent Relay Workflows

agentworkforce/writing-agent-relay-workflows

Use when building multi-agent workflows with @relayflows/core. Covers conversation vs pipeline coordination, WorkflowBuilder/DAG steps, agents, {{steps.X.output}} chaining, repairable verification gates, evidence-based completion, mandatory Claude-then-Codex fresh-eyes review/fix loops with test hardening, channels, chat-native recipes, error handling, event listeners, step sizing, lead+workers teams, and parallel waves.

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Install

one command, takes just this skill from the repository
npx skills add https://github.com/AgentWorkforce/relay --skill writing-agent-relay-workflows

The instruction itself

61 sections, as written by the author

Overview

The @relayflows/core workflow system orchestrates multiple AI agents (Claude, Codex, Gemini, Aider, Goose) through typed DAG-based workflows. Workflows can be written in TypeScript (preferred), Python, or YAML.

Language preference: TypeScript > Python > YAML. Use TypeScript unless the project is Python-only or a simple config-driven workflow suits YAML.

Pattern selection: Do not default to dag blindly. If the job needs a different swarm/workflow type, consult the choosing-swarm-patterns skill when available and select the pattern that best matches the coordination problem.

When to Use

  • Building multi-agent workflows with step dependencies
  • Orchestrating different AI CLIs (claude, codex, gemini, aider, goose)
  • Creating DAG, pipeline, fan-out, or other swarm patterns
  • Needing verification gates, retries, or step output chaining
  • Designing product-contract workflows where failing checks should route to agents for repair instead of stopping the run
  • Dynamic channel management: agents joining/leaving/muting channels mid-workflow

Non-Negotiable Workflow Checklist

Every generated workflow should satisfy this checklist before it is considered complete:

  • Start with a deterministic, resumable preflight for repository state, credentials, and declared write scope.
  • Pick the coordination shape deliberately: Conversation for non-trivial coordination, Pipeline only for linear one-shot handoffs.
  • Use repairable validation gates: capture red output with failOnError: false, hand it to a repair owner, then rerun the same check.
  • Run the mandatory fresh-eyes loops in order: Claude review/fix/final review/final fix, then Codex review/fix/final review/final fix.
  • Require review fixers to add or update appropriate tests, fixtures, assertions, or deterministic proofs for testable findings.
  • Run final deterministic acceptance after the Codex loop and before commit, PR creation, or handoff.
  • If a real blocker remains, write BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT with exact evidence and skip commit/PR creation instead of crashing the workflow.
  • If the workflow owns shipping, model branch, commit, push, PR creation, and PR URL verification as explicit deterministic steps.

Default Principle: Workflows Repair Before They Fail

  • Run deterministic checks as evidence-capturing gates with captureOutput: true.
  • Prefer failOnError: false for intermediate validation gates so the workflow can pass the output to a repair agent.
  • Add a repair step immediately after each red-prone gate. The repair agent reads {{steps.<gate>.output}}, fixes source/tests/config, reruns the same command locally, and exits only after the gate is green or the blocker is external.
  • Keep final acceptance deterministic, but still put an agent repair step before commit/PR creation. If the repair budget is exhausted or a true external blocker remains, write a blocked artifact and skip commit/PR creation; do not let the workflow end as FAILED.
  • Use .reliable() or .repairable() on SDK versions that support it, especially for product-contract workflows. As of AgentWorkforce/relay#827, retry-mode workflows with agents are repair-aware by default, repair agents run before retrying malformed/failed agent steps, and the SDK covers DAG, pipeline, fan-out, worktree-backed, deterministic-only, and agent-plus-gate shapes.

Mandatory Fresh-Eyes Review Loops

Every workflow must include two comprehensive fresh-eyes review/fix loops before final acceptance, commit, PR creation, or handoff: first Claude, then Codex. This applies even to small workflows and even when deterministic tests pass. Tests prove commands passed; the fresh-eyes loops make independent agents read the actual resulting files and artifacts as if they did not author them.
verdict: FINDINGS | NO_ISSUES_FOUND | BLOCKED
finding_id: short stable id
severity: blocker | high | medium | low
file: path/to/file
issue: what is wrong
fix_required: concrete change needed
test_required: test, fixture, assertion, or proof command needed
status: open | fixed | wontfix | blocked
evidence: commands run, file paths, or blocker details

Choose Your Coordination Style — Conversation vs Pipeline

Before writing the workflow, decide _how the agents will coordinate_. The relay primitive supports two very different shapes, and picking the wrong one wastes the most valuable thing the SDK gives you.

| Shape | What it is | Use when |

| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Conversation (chat-native) | Interactive agents share a channel; messages, @-mentions, and ambient awareness drive coordination. Lead and workers spawn in parallel and self-organize. The relay is the coordination layer, not just transport. | Multi-file work, peer review loops, cross-agent feedback, dynamic re-planning, multi-PR coordination, anything with a human-in-the-loop escape, swarms where workers pick up each other's output. |

| Pipeline (one-shot DAG) | Each step runs as a one-shot subprocess (claude -p, codex exec); steps hand off via {{steps.X.output}} text injection. No agents are alive at the same time; no chat happens. | Linear, well-specified transformations; deterministic data passing; no live agent-to-agent coordination during implementation. The mandatory final Claude-then-Codex review/fix loops still apply. |

Default to Conversation for any non-trivial work. Pipeline DAGs are simpler to reason about but they do not exercise the relay primitive — they are a Unix pipe with extra steps. If you would happily write the same task as a single shell pipeline, pipeline-shape is fine. Otherwise, you almost certainly want a Conversation shape.

The two shapes can mix within one workflow: pipeline-style deterministic preflight → conversation in the middle → pipeline-style commit-and-PR at the end. See Quick Reference (Conversation) below and Common Patterns → Interactive Team for the canonical recipe.

> A blunt rule of thumb: if your workflow only uses agent steps with preset: 'worker' chained by {{steps.X.output}}, you are not using the relay — you are using claude -p | codex exec. That may still be the right answer; just make it a deliberate choice.

Quick Reference (Pipeline shape)

> Use this when steps are linear, well-specified, and need no agent-to-agent feedback. For anything with iteration, review, or coordination, jump to Quick Reference (Conversation shape) below.
import { workflow } from '@relayflows/core';

async function runWorkflow() {
  const result = await workflow('my-workflow')
    .description('What this workflow does')
    .pattern('dag') // or 'pipeline', 'fan-out', etc.
    .channel('wf-my-workflow') // dedicated channel (auto-generated if omitted)
    .maxConcurrency(3)
    .timeout(3_600_000) // global timeout (ms)
    .repairable()

    .agent('lead', { cli: 'claude', role: 'Architect', retries: 2 })
    .agent('worker', { cli: 'codex', role: 'Implementer', retries: 2 })
    .agent('claude-reviewer', {
      cli: 'claude',
      role: 'First-pass fresh-eyes reviewer',
      retries: 1,
      preset: 'reviewer',
    })
    .agent('claude-fixer', { cli: 'claude', role: 'First-pass review-finding fixer', retries: 2 })
    .agent('codex-reviewer', {
      cli: 'codex',
      role: 'Second-pass fresh-eyes reviewer',
      retries: 1,
      preset: 'reviewer',
    })
    .agent('codex-fixer', { cli: 'codex', role: 'Review-finding fixer', retries: 2 })

    .step('preflight', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      command: 'git rev-parse --show-toplevel >/dev/null && echo PREFLIGHT_OK',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: true,
    })
    .step('plan', {
      agent: 'lead',
      dependsOn: ['preflight'],
      task: `Analyze the codebase and produce a plan.`,
      retries: 2,
      verification: { type: 'output_contains', value: 'PLAN_COMPLETE' },
    })
    .step('implement', {
      agent: 'worker',
      task: `Implement based on this plan:\n{{steps.plan.output}}`,
      dependsOn: ['plan'],
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-review', {
      agent: 'claude-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['implement'],
      task: `Fresh-eyes review the completed workflow output. Read the actual files, diff, repo rules, and available evidence.
Write findings to .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/claude-review.md.
If there are no actionable issues, write NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-fix', {
      agent: 'claude-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-review'],
      task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/claude-review.md.
Fix every valid issue, add or update appropriate tests/proofs for the fix, rerun relevant checks, and update .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/claude-fix.md.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record that no fix was needed.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-review-final', {
      agent: 'claude-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-fix'],
      task: `Fresh-eyes review the post-fix state from scratch. Do not rely on the prior review or fix summary.
Write .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/claude-review-final.md with either actionable findings or NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-fix-final', {
      agent: 'claude-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-review-final'],
      task: `If .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/claude-review-final.md contains findings, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, and rerun relevant checks.
If no fix is possible, write .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence.
If it says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record Claude review signoff.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-review', {
      agent: 'codex-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-fix-final'],
      task: `Second-pass fresh-eyes review of the post-Claude-fix state. Read the actual files, diff, repo rules, and available evidence.
Write findings to .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/codex-review.md.
If there are no actionable issues, write NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-fix', {
      agent: 'codex-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-review'],
      task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/codex-review.md.
Fix every valid issue, add or update appropriate tests/proofs for the fix, rerun relevant checks, and update .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/codex-fix.md.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record that no fix was needed.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-review-final', {
      agent: 'codex-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-fix'],
      task: `Fresh-eyes review the post-Codex-fix state from scratch. Do not rely on the prior review or fix summary.
Write .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/codex-review-final.md with either actionable findings or NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-fix-final', {
      agent: 'codex-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-review-final'],
      task: `If .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/codex-review-final.md contains findings, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, and rerun relevant checks.
If no fix is possible, write .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence.
If it says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record final review signoff.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('acceptance-after-review', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['codex-fix-final'],
      command: 'test ! -f .workflow-artifacts/my-workflow/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md && echo ACCEPTANCE_OK',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: true,
    })

    .onError('retry', { maxRetries: 2, retryDelayMs: 10_000 })
    .run({ cwd: process.cwd() });

  console.log('Result:', result.status);
}

runWorkflow().catch((error) => {
  console.error(error);
  process.exit(1);
});

Quick Reference (Conversation shape)

> Use this for any non-trivial work — peer review, multi-file edits, cross-agent feedback, dynamic re-planning. Lead and workers spawn in parallel on a shared channel and self-organize via messages. The relay primitive does the coordinating; verification gates downstream of the lead close the workflow.
import { workflow } from '@relayflows/core';
import { ClaudeModels, CodexModels } from '@agent-relay/config';

async function runWorkflow() {
  const result = await workflow('my-workflow')
    .description('Multi-file change with peer review')
    .pattern('dag')
    .channel('wf-my-feature') // dedicated channel — agents share it
    .maxConcurrency(4)
    .timeout(3_600_000)
    .repairable()

    // Interactive agents — no preset, they live on the channel
    .agent('lead', {
      cli: 'claude',
      model: ClaudeModels.OPUS,
      role: 'Architect + reviewer. Plans, assigns, reviews, posts feedback.',
      retries: 1,
    })
    .agent('impl-a', {
      cli: 'codex',
      model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
      role: 'Implementer. Listens on channel for assignments and feedback.',
      retries: 2,
    })
    .agent('impl-b', {
      cli: 'codex',
      model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
      role: 'Implementer. Listens on channel for assignments and feedback.',
      retries: 2,
    })
    .agent('claude-reviewer', {
      cli: 'claude',
      model: ClaudeModels.OPUS,
      preset: 'reviewer',
      role: 'First-pass fresh-eyes reviewer. Reads the final diff and artifacts from scratch.',
      retries: 1,
    })
    .agent('claude-fixer', {
      cli: 'claude',
      model: ClaudeModels.SONNET,
      role: 'First-pass review-finding fixer. Repairs valid findings, adds tests/proofs, and reruns checks.',
      retries: 2,
    })
    .agent('codex-reviewer', {
      cli: 'codex',
      model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
      preset: 'reviewer',
      role: 'Second-pass fresh-eyes reviewer. Reviews the post-Claude-fix state from scratch.',
      retries: 1,
    })
    .agent('codex-fixer', {
      cli: 'codex',
      model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
      role: 'Review-finding fixer. Repairs valid findings, adds tests/proofs, and reruns checks.',
      retries: 2,
    })

    // Deterministic context — pre-reads files once, posts to the channel for everyone
    .step('preflight', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      command: 'git rev-parse --show-toplevel >/dev/null && echo PREFLIGHT_OK',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: true,
    })
    .step('context', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['preflight'],
      command: 'git ls-files src/',
      captureOutput: true,
    })

    // Lead and workers all depend on `context` — they start CONCURRENTLY.
    // They coordinate over #wf-my-feature, not via {{steps.X.output}}.
    .step('lead-coordinate', {
      agent: 'lead',
      dependsOn: ['context'],
      task: `You are the lead on #wf-my-feature. Workers: impl-a, impl-b.
Post the plan. Assign files. Review their PRs/diffs. Post feedback in-channel.
Workers iterate based on your feedback. Exit when both files pass review.`,
    })
    .step('impl-a-work', {
      agent: 'impl-a',
      dependsOn: ['context'], // SAME dep as lead → starts in parallel, no deadlock
      task: `You are impl-a on #wf-my-feature. Wait for the lead's plan.
Implement your assigned file. Post a completion message. Address feedback.`,
    })
    .step('impl-b-work', {
      agent: 'impl-b',
      dependsOn: ['context'], // SAME dep as lead
      task: `You are impl-b on #wf-my-feature. Wait for the lead's plan.
Implement your assigned file. Post a completion message. Address feedback.`,
    })

    // Downstream gates on the lead — lead exits when satisfied.
    // Capture failures, then hand them to an agent for repair.
    .step('verify', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['lead-coordinate'],
      command: 'npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: false,
    })
    .step('repair-verify', {
      agent: 'lead',
      dependsOn: ['verify'],
      task: `If verification passed, summarize evidence.
If it failed, use this output to assign and fix issues, then rerun the command until green:
{{steps.verify.output}}`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('verify-final', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['repair-verify'],
      command: 'npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: false,
    })
    .step('claude-review', {
      agent: 'claude-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['verify-final'],
      task: `First-pass fresh-eyes review of the post-implementation state.
Read the actual changed files, git diff, repo instructions, task spec, and verification output:
{{steps.verify-final.output}}

Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/claude-review.md with:
- actionable findings, each with file paths and required fix
- or NO_ISSUES_FOUND if there are no remaining issues`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-fix', {
      agent: 'claude-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-review'],
      task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/claude-review.md.
If there are findings, fix every valid one and add or update appropriate tests/proofs. After each fix, rerun the relevant check and review the changed files again.
Keep iterating locally until this round has no remaining valid issues.
Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/claude-fix.md with fixes and commands run.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, write that no fix was needed.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-review-final', {
      agent: 'claude-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-fix'],
      task: `Perform a fresh post-fix review from scratch. Do not rely on previous review text or the fixer's summary.
Read files, diff, repo rules, task spec, and evidence. Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/claude-review-final.md.
Use NO_ISSUES_FOUND only if there are no actionable issues left.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('claude-fix-final', {
      agent: 'claude-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['claude-review-final'],
      task: `If the final Claude review found issues, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, and rerun the relevant checks until green.
If no fix is possible, write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence and do not commit.
If the final review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record signoff in .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/claude-signoff.md.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('verify-after-claude-review', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['claude-fix-final'],
      command:
        'test ! -f .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md && npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: false,
    })
    .step('codex-review', {
      agent: 'codex-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['verify-after-claude-review'],
      task: `Second-pass fresh-eyes review of the post-Claude-fix state.
Read the actual changed files, git diff, repo instructions, task spec, and verification output:
{{steps.verify-after-claude-review.output}}

Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/codex-review.md with:
- actionable findings, each with file paths and required fix
- or NO_ISSUES_FOUND if there are no remaining issues`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-fix', {
      agent: 'codex-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-review'],
      task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/codex-review.md.
If there are findings, fix every valid one and add or update appropriate tests/proofs. After each fix, rerun the relevant check and review the changed files again.
Keep iterating locally until this round has no remaining valid issues.
Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/codex-fix.md with fixes and commands run.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, write that no fix was needed.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-review-final', {
      agent: 'codex-reviewer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-fix'],
      task: `Perform a fresh post-Codex-fix review from scratch. Do not rely on previous review text or the fixer's summary.
Read files, diff, repo rules, task spec, and evidence. Write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/codex-review-final.md.
Use NO_ISSUES_FOUND only if there are no actionable issues left.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('codex-fix-final', {
      agent: 'codex-fixer',
      dependsOn: ['codex-review-final'],
      task: `If the final Codex review found issues, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, and rerun the relevant checks until green.
If no fix is possible, write .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence and do not commit.
If the final review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record signoff in .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/codex-signoff.md.`,
      verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
    })
    .step('verify-after-review', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['codex-fix-final'],
      command:
        'test ! -f .workflow-artifacts/my-feature/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md && npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
      captureOutput: true,
      failOnError: true,
    })

    .onError('retry', { maxRetries: 2, retryDelayMs: 10_000 })
    .run({ cwd: process.cwd() });

  console.log('Result:', result.status);
}

runWorkflow().catch((error) => {
  console.error(error);
  process.exit(1);
});

Default For Serious Implementation: Shadowed Squad Review Loop

  • implementer: owns a tight file/subsystem scope and writes the change
  • shadow reviewer: follows the implementer in real time, checks drift against the spec, and leaves feedback early
  • optional validation owner: owns tests, dry-run proof, or fixture coverage when that is a separate deliverable
  • Deterministically read the spec, AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md, workflow standards, recent local docs, and declared file targets.
  • Lead splits work into bounded squads with non-overlapping ownership.
  • Squads run in parallel. The shadow reads actual files and channel updates, then posts feedback while the implementer is still active.
  • Each implementer writes a self-reflection artifact before external review. It must answer: what changed, what spec items are satisfied, what tests/proofs ran, what risks remain, and how the work follows repo rules.
  • A fresh self-review agent reads the post-implementation files, recent local conventions, AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md, and related rules. It should not rely on the implementer's summary.
  • The implementer gets that feedback and performs a repair pass.
  • Deterministic gates run with captured output. Red output goes to a repair owner, then the same gate reruns.
  • Run the mandatory fresh-eyes review loops in sequence: Claude reviews the actual final diff and artifacts, a fixer repairs findings and hardens them with appropriate tests/proofs, Claude reviews the post-fix state again, then Codex repeats the same cycle from scratch over the post-Claude-fix state.
  • Optional extra reviewers can be added for high-stakes work, but they do not replace the sequential Claude-then-Codex loops.
  • Final signoff only happens after post-Codex-fix review and final deterministic gates prove the spec is complete, or a blocker artifact explains why it cannot be completed.
  • Critical TypeScript rules:
  • Check the project's package.json for "type": "module" — if ESM, use import; if CJS, use require(). In both cases, wrap execution in an async function instead of raw top-level await.
  • agent-relay node workflow run <file.ts> executes the file as a standalone subprocess — it does NOT inspect exports. The file MUST call .run().
  • Use .run({ cwd: process.cwd() })createWorkflowRenderer does not exist
  • For dry-run validation, call .run({ dryRun: true, cwd: process.cwd() }) or runWorkflow(path, { dryRun: true }) from TypeScript. Use agent-relay node workflow run <file> for execution.

⚡ Parallelism — Design for Speed

Cross-Workflow Parallelism: Wave Planning
# BAD — sequential (14 hours for 27 workflows at ~30 min each)
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/34-sst-wiring.ts
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/35-env-config.ts
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/36-loading-states.ts
# ... one at a time

# GOOD — parallel waves (3-4 hours for 27 workflows)
# Wave 1: independent infra (parallel)
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/34-sst-wiring.ts &
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/35-env-config.ts &
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/36-loading-states.ts &
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/37-responsive.ts &
wait
git add -A && git commit -m "Wave 1"

# Wave 2: testing (parallel — independent test suites)
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/40-unit-tests.ts &
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/41-integration-tests.ts &
agent-relay node workflow run workflows/42-e2e-tests.ts &
wait
git add -A && git commit -m "Wave 2"
Declare File Scope for Planning
workflow('48-comparison-mode')
  .packages(['web', 'core']) // monorepo packages touched
  .isolatedFrom(['49-feedback-system']) // explicitly safe to parallelize
  .requiresBefore(['46-admin-dashboard']); // explicit ordering constraint
Within-Workflow Parallelism
// BAD — unnecessary sequential chain
.step('fix-component-a', { agent: 'worker', dependsOn: ['review'] })
.step('fix-component-b', { agent: 'worker', dependsOn: ['fix-component-a'] })  // why wait?

// GOOD — parallel fan-out, merge at the end
.step('fix-component-a', { agent: 'impl-1', dependsOn: ['review'] })
.step('fix-component-b', { agent: 'impl-2', dependsOn: ['review'] })  // same dep = parallel
.step('verify-all', { agent: 'reviewer', dependsOn: ['fix-component-a', 'fix-component-b'] })

Failure Prevention

1. Do not use raw top-level await
async function runWorkflow() {
  const result = await workflow('my-workflow')
    // ...
    .run({ cwd: process.cwd() });

  console.log('Workflow status:', result.status);
}

runWorkflow().catch((error) => {
  console.error(error);
  process.exit(1);
});
2b. Standard preflight template for resumable workflows
.step('preflight', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  command: [
    'set -e',
    'BRANCH=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)',
    'echo "branch: $BRANCH"',
    'if [ "$BRANCH" != "fix/your-branch-name" ]; then echo "ERROR: wrong branch"; exit 1; fi',
    // Files the workflow is allowed to find dirty on entry:
    //   - package-lock.json: npm install is idempotent and often touches it
    //   - every file the workflow's edit steps will rewrite: a prior partial
    //     run may have left them dirty, and the edit step will rewrite
    //     them cleanly before commit
    // Everything else is unexpected drift and must fail preflight.
    'ALLOWED_DIRTY="package-lock.json|path/to/file1\\\\.ts|path/to/file2\\\\.ts"',
    'DIRTY=$(git diff --name-only | grep -vE "^(${ALLOWED_DIRTY})$" || true)',
    'if [ -n "$DIRTY" ]; then echo "ERROR: unexpected tracked drift:"; echo "$DIRTY"; exit 1; fi',
    'if ! git diff --cached --quiet; then echo "ERROR: staging area is dirty"; git diff --cached --stat; exit 1; fi',
    'gh auth status >/dev/null 2>&1 || (echo "ERROR: gh CLI not authenticated"; exit 1)',
    'echo PREFLIGHT_OK',
  ].join(' && '),
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: true,
}),
2c. Picking the right .join() for multi-line shell commands
command: [
  'set -e',
  'HITS=$(grep -c diag src/cli/commands/setup.ts || true)',
  'if [ "$HITS" -lt 6 ]; then echo "FAIL"; exit 1; fi',
  'echo OK',
].join(' && '),
3. Keep final verification boring and deterministic
grep -Eq "foo|bar|baz" file.ts
6. Be explicit about shell requirements
/opt/homebrew/bin/bash workflows/your-workflow/execute.sh --wave 2
9. Factor repo-specific setup into a shared helper
// workflows/lib/cloud-repo-setup.ts
export interface CloudRepoSetupOptions {
  branch: string;
  committerName?: string;
  extraSetupCommands?: string[];
  skipWorkspaceBuild?: boolean;
}

export function applyCloudRepoSetup<T>(wf: T, opts: CloudRepoSetupOptions): T {
  // adds two steps: setup-branch, install-deps
  // install-deps runs: npm install + workspace prebuilds (build:platform, build:core, etc.)
  // ...
}

End-to-End Bug Fix Workflows

  • Capture the original failure
  • Reproduce the bug first in a deterministic or evidence-capturing step
  • Save exact commands, logs, status codes, or screenshots/artifacts
  • State the acceptance contract
  • Define the exact end-to-end success criteria before implementation
  • Include the real entrypoint a user would run
  • Implement the fix
  • Rebuild / reinstall from scratch
  • Do not trust dirty local state
  • Prefer a clean environment when install/bootstrap behavior is involved
  • Run targeted regression checks
  • Unit/integration tests are helpful but not sufficient by themselves
  • Run a full end-to-end validation
  • Use the real CLI / API / install path
  • Prefer a clean environment (Docker, sandbox, cloud workspace, Daytona, etc.) for install/runtime issues
  • Compare before vs after evidence
  • Show that the original failure no longer occurs
  • Record residual risks
  • Call out what was not covered
  • Ship the result as a PR
  • Open the pull request from the workflow itself with deterministic git/GitHub steps
  • See Shipping the Result - Open a PR below
  • A workflow that fixes a bug and stops short of the PR has only done half the loop
  • disposable sandbox / cloud workspace
  • Docker / containerized environment
  • fresh local shell with isolated paths
  • compares candidate validation environments
  • defines the acceptance contract
  • chooses the best swarm pattern
  • then authors the final fix/validation workflow

Shipping the Result - Open a PR

The minimal "open a PR" recipe

Current @relayflows/core does not provide createGitHubStep. Model shipping

as deterministic workflow steps. Locally, use git plus gh after a preflight

that proves gh auth status works. When a runtime adapter is required, write a

small deterministic script that imports GitHubClient from

@relayflows/github-primitive and calls createBranch, createFile or

updateFile, and createPR.

import { workflow } from '@relayflows/core';

const BRANCH = `agent-relay/run-${Date.now()}`;

async function runWorkflow() {
  await workflow('feature-x')
    // ... your real implementation, repair, review loops, and final acceptance ...
    .step('write-marker', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      command: `echo "fix landed at $(date -u)" >> CHANGELOG.md`,
    })

    .step('create-branch', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['write-marker'],
      command: `git switch -c ${BRANCH}`,
    })
    .step('commit-change', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['create-branch'],
      command: 'git add CHANGELOG.md && git commit -m "chore: changelog entry"',
    })
    .step('push-branch', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['commit-change'],
      command: `git push -u origin ${BRANCH}`,
    })
    .step('open-pr', {
      type: 'deterministic',
      dependsOn: ['push-branch'],
      command: `gh pr create --base main --head ${BRANCH} --title "feat: ship feature X" --body-file .workflow-artifacts/feature-x/pr-body.md`,
      verification: { type: 'pr_url', value: 'AgentWorkforce/cloud' },
    })

    .run({ cwd: process.cwd() });
}

runWorkflow().catch((error) => {
  console.error(error);
  process.exit(1);
});

Key Concepts

Verification Gates
verification: { type: 'exit_code' }                        // preferred for code-editing steps
verification: { type: 'output_contains', value: 'DONE' }   // optional accelerator
verification: { type: 'file_exists', value: 'src/out.ts' } // deterministic file check
verification: { type: 'pr_url', value: 'owner/repo' }      // step must leave behind a PR
DAG Dependencies
.step('fix-types',  { agent: 'worker', dependsOn: ['review'], ... })
.step('fix-tests',  { agent: 'worker', dependsOn: ['review'], ... })
.step('final',      { agent: 'lead',   dependsOn: ['fix-types', 'fix-tests'], ... })
SDK API
// Subscribe an agent to additional channels post-spawn
relay.subscribe({ agent: 'security-auditor', channels: ['review-pr-456'] });

// Unsubscribe — agent leaves the channel entirely
relay.unsubscribe({ agent: 'security-auditor', channels: ['general'] });

// Mute — agent stays subscribed (history access) but messages are NOT injected into PTY
relay.mute({ agent: 'security-auditor', channel: 'review-pr-123' });

// Unmute — resume PTY injection
relay.unmute({ agent: 'security-auditor', channel: 'review-pr-123' });
Events
relay.onChannelSubscribed = (agent, channels) => {
  /* ... */
};
relay.onChannelUnsubscribed = (agent, channels) => {
  /* ... */
};
relay.onChannelMuted = (agent, channel) => {
  /* ... */
};
relay.onChannelUnmuted = (agent, channel) => {
  /* ... */
};

Agent Definition

`typescript
.agent('name', {
  cli: 'claude' | 'codex' | 'gemini' | 'aider' | 'goose' | 'opencode' | 'droid',
  role?: string,
  preset?: 'lead' | 'worker' | 'reviewer' | 'analyst',
  retries?: number,
  model?: string,
  interactive?: boolean, // default: true
})
Model Constants
import { ClaudeModels, CodexModels, GeminiModels } from '@agent-relay/config';

.agent('planner', { cli: 'claude', model: ClaudeModels.OPUS })    // not 'opus'
.agent('worker',  { cli: 'claude', model: ClaudeModels.SONNET })  // not 'sonnet'
.agent('coder',   { cli: 'codex',  model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4 })  // not 'gpt-5.4'

Step Definition

Agent Steps
.step('name', {
  agent: string,
  task: string,                   // supports {{var}} and {{steps.NAME.output}}
  dependsOn?: string[],
  verification?: VerificationCheck,
  retries?: number,
})
Deterministic Steps (Shell Commands)
.step('verify-files', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  command: 'test -f src/auth.ts && echo "FILE_EXISTS"',
  dependsOn: ['implement'],
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: false,
})
.step('repair-files', {
  agent: 'worker',
  dependsOn: ['verify-files'],
  task: `If verify-files failed, create or fix the missing file and rerun the check.
Output:
{{steps.verify-files.output}}`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('verify-files-final', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  command: 'test -f src/auth.ts && echo "FILE_EXISTS"',
  dependsOn: ['repair-files'],
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: true,
})

Common Patterns

Mandatory Claude-Then-Codex Review/Fix Loops
.agent('claude-reviewer', {
  cli: 'claude',
  preset: 'reviewer',
  role: 'First-pass fresh-eyes reviewer. Reads actual files, diffs, rules, and evidence from scratch.',
  retries: 1,
})
.agent('claude-fixer', {
  cli: 'claude',
  role: 'Fixer for valid Claude review findings. Adds or updates tests/proofs for each fix.',
  retries: 2,
})
.agent('codex-reviewer', {
  cli: 'codex',
  preset: 'reviewer',
  role: 'Second-pass fresh-eyes reviewer. Reviews the post-Claude-fix state from scratch.',
  retries: 1,
})
.agent('codex-fixer', {
  cli: 'codex',
  role: 'Fixer for valid Codex review findings. Adds or updates tests/proofs for each fix.',
  retries: 2,
})

.step('claude-review', {
  agent: 'claude-reviewer',
  dependsOn: ['verify-final'],
  task: `First-pass fresh-eyes review.
Read the task spec, AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md, changed files, final diff, artifacts, and verification evidence:
{{steps.verify-final.output}}

Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-review.md.
Use actionable findings with file paths, severity, and required fixes.
If there are no issues, write NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('claude-fix', {
  agent: 'claude-fixer',
  dependsOn: ['claude-review'],
  task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-review.md.
If it contains findings, fix every valid issue and add or update appropriate tests/proofs. After each fix, rerun targeted checks and review the touched files again.
Keep iterating locally until this round has no remaining valid issues.
Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-fix.md with fixes and commands run.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record that no fix was needed.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('claude-review-final', {
  agent: 'claude-reviewer',
  dependsOn: ['claude-fix'],
  task: `Review the post-Claude-fix state from scratch. Do not rely on prior review text or fixer summaries.
Read the files, diff, rules, spec, and evidence. Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-review-final.md.
Use NO_ISSUES_FOUND only if there are no actionable issues left.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('claude-fix-final', {
  agent: 'claude-fixer',
  dependsOn: ['claude-review-final'],
  task: `If the final Claude review contains findings, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, rerun relevant checks, and write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-fix-final.md.
If a finding cannot be fixed, write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence.
If the final review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/claude-signoff.md.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('verify-after-claude-review', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  dependsOn: ['claude-fix-final'],
  command: 'test ! -f .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md && npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: false,
})
.step('codex-review', {
  agent: 'codex-reviewer',
  dependsOn: ['verify-after-claude-review'],
  task: `Second-pass fresh-eyes review of the post-Claude-fix state.
Read the task spec, AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md, changed files, final diff, artifacts, and verification evidence:
{{steps.verify-after-claude-review.output}}

Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-review.md.
Use actionable findings with file paths, severity, and required fixes.
If there are no issues, write NO_ISSUES_FOUND.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('codex-fix', {
  agent: 'codex-fixer',
  dependsOn: ['codex-review'],
  task: `Read .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-review.md.
If it contains findings, fix every valid issue and add or update appropriate tests/proofs. After each fix, rerun targeted checks and review the touched files again.
Keep iterating locally until this round has no remaining valid issues.
Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-fix.md with fixes and commands run.
If the review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, record that no fix was needed.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('codex-review-final', {
  agent: 'codex-reviewer',
  dependsOn: ['codex-fix'],
  task: `Review the post-fix state from scratch. Do not rely on prior review text or fixer summaries.
Read the files, diff, rules, spec, and evidence. Write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-review-final.md.
Use NO_ISSUES_FOUND only if there are no actionable issues left.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('codex-fix-final', {
  agent: 'codex-fixer',
  dependsOn: ['codex-review-final'],
  task: `If the final review contains findings, fix them, add or update appropriate tests/proofs, rerun relevant checks, and write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-fix-final.md.
If a finding cannot be fixed, write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence.
If the final review says NO_ISSUES_FOUND, write .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/codex-signoff.md.`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('acceptance-after-codex-review', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  dependsOn: ['codex-fix-final'],
  command: 'test ! -f .workflow-artifacts/<workflow>/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md && npm run typecheck && npm test 2>&1',
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: true,
})
Interactive Team (lead + workers on shared channel)
.agent('lead', {
  cli: 'claude',
  model: ClaudeModels.OPUS,
  role: 'Architect and reviewer — assigns work, reviews, posts feedback',
  retries: 1,
  // No preset — interactive by default
})

.agent('impl-new', {
  cli: 'codex',
  model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
  role: 'Creates new files. Listens on channel for assignments and feedback.',
  retries: 2,
  // No preset — interactive, receives channel messages
})

.agent('impl-modify', {
  cli: 'codex',
  model: CodexModels.GPT_5_4,
  role: 'Edits existing files. Listens on channel for assignments and feedback.',
  retries: 2,
})

// All three share the same dependsOn — they start concurrently (no deadlock)
.step('lead-coordinate', {
  agent: 'lead',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: `You are the lead on #channel. Workers: impl-new, impl-modify.
Post the plan. Assign files. Review their work. Post feedback if needed.
Workers iterate based on your feedback. Exit when all files are correct.`,
})
.step('impl-new-work', {
  agent: 'impl-new',
  dependsOn: ['context'],   // same dep as lead = parallel start
  task: `You are impl-new on #channel. Wait for the lead's plan.
Create files as assigned. Report completion. Fix issues from feedback.`,
})
.step('impl-modify-work', {
  agent: 'impl-modify',
  dependsOn: ['context'],   // same dep as lead = parallel start
  task: `You are impl-modify on #channel. Wait for the lead's plan.
Edit files as assigned. Report completion. Fix issues from feedback.`,
})
// Downstream gates on lead (lead exits when satisfied)
.step('verify', { type: 'deterministic', dependsOn: ['lead-coordinate'], ... })
1. Question / Answer (blocking ask)
.step('integrate', {
  agent: 'integrator',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: `You are the integrator on #wf-feature.
Before writing code, post a direct question to @schema-owner asking which
table owns the new field. Do NOT proceed until @schema-owner replies in
channel. If no reply arrives in 5 minutes, @-mention the lead.`,
})
2. Broadcast / Ack
.step('lead-coordinate', {
  agent: 'lead',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: `Post the plan to #wf-feature, then @impl-a @impl-b @impl-c.
Wait for each to reply with "ACK <agent-name>" before issuing assignments.
If any worker hasn't acked in 3 minutes, re-post and ping again.
Only after all three have acked, post per-worker assignments.`,
})
3. Peer Review Handoff
.step('impl-a-work', {
  agent: 'impl-a',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: `Implement src/foo.ts per the lead's assignment.
When done, post to #wf-feature: "@reviewer ready: src/foo.ts" — include the
commit SHA. Then wait for @reviewer's verdict in channel.
- If "APPROVED", you're done.
- If "CHANGES_REQUESTED <notes>", apply the notes and re-post.
- If no verdict in 5 min, @-mention the lead.`,
})
4. Standup / Status Probe
.step('lead-coordinate', {
  agent: 'lead',
  task: `... coordinate the team ...

Every 10 minutes, post a status probe: "@impl-a @impl-b status?"
Each worker should reply with one of:
  - "RUNNING <step>" (still working)
  - "BLOCKED <reason>" (@-mention the lead with the blocker)
  - "DONE <artifact>" (ready for review)

If a worker is silent for two probes in a row, mark them stalled and
reassign their work to a peer.`,
})
5. Hand-Off with Context
.step('impl-a-work', {
  agent: 'impl-a',
  task: `... finish your part ...

When done, post a handoff to #wf-feature targeting the next worker:
"@impl-b HANDOFF: src/foo.ts ready. Touched: <files>. Open question: <if any>.
Tests: <pass/fail summary>. Commit: <sha>."`,
})
Pipeline (sequential handoff)
.pattern('pipeline')
.step('analyze', { agent: 'analyst', task: '...' })
.step('implement', { agent: 'dev', task: '{{steps.analyze.output}}', dependsOn: ['analyze'] })
.step('test', { agent: 'tester', task: '{{steps.implement.output}}', dependsOn: ['implement'] })
Error Handling
.onError('fail-fast')   // stop on first failure (default)
.onError('continue')    // skip failed branches, continue others
.onError('retry', { maxRetries: 3, retryDelayMs: 5000 })

Multi-File Edit Pattern

When a workflow needs to modify multiple existing files, use one agent step per file with a deterministic verify gate after each. Agents reliably edit 1-2 files per step but fail on 4+.
steps:
  - name: read-types
    type: deterministic
    command: cat src/types.ts
    captureOutput: true

  - name: edit-types
    agent: dev
    dependsOn: [read-types]
    task: |
      Edit src/types.ts. Current contents:
      {{steps.read-types.output}}
      Add 'pending' to the Status union type.
      Only edit this one file.
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: verify-types
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [edit-types]
    command: 'if git diff --quiet src/types.ts; then echo "NOT MODIFIED"; exit 1; fi; echo "OK"'
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: false

  - name: fix-types-verification
    agent: dev
    dependsOn: [verify-types]
    task: |
      If verify-types failed, fix src/types.ts and rerun the verify command.
      Output:
      {{steps.verify-types.output}}
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: verify-types-final
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [fix-types-verification]
    command: 'if git diff --quiet src/types.ts; then echo "NOT MODIFIED"; exit 1; fi; echo "OK"'
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: true

  - name: read-service
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [verify-types-final]
    command: cat src/service.ts
    captureOutput: true

  - name: edit-service
    agent: dev
    dependsOn: [read-service]
    task: |
      Edit src/service.ts. Current contents:
      {{steps.read-service.output}}
      Add a handlePending() method.
      Only edit this one file.
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: verify-service
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [edit-service]
    command: 'if git diff --quiet src/service.ts; then echo "NOT MODIFIED"; exit 1; fi; echo "OK"'
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: false

  - name: fix-service-verification
    agent: dev
    dependsOn: [verify-service]
    task: |
      If verify-service failed, fix src/service.ts and rerun the verify command.
      Output:
      {{steps.verify-service.output}}
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: verify-service-final
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [fix-service-verification]
    command: 'if git diff --quiet src/service.ts; then echo "NOT MODIFIED"; exit 1; fi; echo "OK"'
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: true

  # Deterministic commit — never rely on agents to commit
  - name: commit
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [verify-service-final]
    command: npm run typecheck && npm test && git add src/types.ts src/service.ts && git commit -m "feat: add pending status"
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: false

  - name: repair-commit
    agent: dev
    dependsOn: [commit]
    task: |
      If commit failed, fix the blocker, rerun npm run typecheck && npm test, and create the commit.
      If commit passed, confirm the commit subject.
      Output:
      {{steps.commit.output}}
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: verify-commit-created
    type: deterministic
    dependsOn: [repair-commit]
    command: 'git log -1 --pretty=%s | grep -q "^feat: add pending status$" && echo "COMMIT_OK" || (echo "COMMIT_MISSING"; exit 1)'
    captureOutput: true
    failOnError: true

File Materialization: Verify Before Proceeding

After any step that creates files, add a deterministic file_exists check before proceeding. Non-interactive agents may exit 0 without writing anything (wrong cwd, stdout instead of disk).
- name: verify-files
  type: deterministic
  dependsOn: [impl-auth, impl-storage]
  command: |
    missing=0
    for f in src/auth/credentials.ts src/storage/client.ts; do
      if [ ! -f "$f" ]; then echo "MISSING: $f"; missing=$((missing+1)); fi
    done
    if [ $missing -gt 0 ]; then echo "$missing files missing"; exit 1; fi
    echo "All files present"
  captureOutput: true
  failOnError: false

- name: fix-missing-files
  agent: impl-auth
  dependsOn: [verify-files]
  task: |
    If verify-files found missing files, create/fix them and rerun the check.
    Output:
    {{steps.verify-files.output}}
  verification:
    type: exit_code

- name: verify-files-final
  type: deterministic
  dependsOn: [fix-missing-files]
  command: |
    missing=0
    for f in src/auth/credentials.ts src/storage/client.ts; do
      if [ ! -f "$f" ]; then echo "MISSING: $f"; missing=$((missing+1)); fi
    done
    if [ $missing -gt 0 ]; then echo "$missing files missing"; exit 1; fi
    echo "All files present"
  captureOutput: true
  failOnError: true
Edit Gates Must See Untracked Files
- name: provider-edit-gate-capture
  type: deterministic
  dependsOn: [implement-providers]
  command: |
    if [ -z "$(git status --short -- packages/new-provider .workflow-artifacts/my-flow)" ]; then
      echo "NO_PROVIDER_CHANGES"
      exit 1
    fi
    echo "PROVIDER_EDIT_GATE_OK"
  captureOutput: true
  failOnError: false

- name: repair-edit-gate
  agent: provider-worker
  dependsOn: [provider-edit-gate-capture]
  task: |
    If provider-edit-gate-capture reported NO_PROVIDER_CHANGES, inspect git
    status including untracked files and add the missing provider artifacts.
    If it already passed, do nothing.
  verification:
    type: exit_code

- name: provider-edit-gate-final
  type: deterministic
  dependsOn: [repair-edit-gate]
  command: |
    if [ -z "$(git status --short -- packages/new-provider .workflow-artifacts/my-flow)" ]; then
      echo "NO_PROVIDER_CHANGES"
      exit 1
    fi
    echo "PROVIDER_EDIT_GATE_FINAL_OK"
  captureOutput: true
  failOnError: false

- name: repair-provider-edit-gate-final
  agent: provider-worker
  dependsOn: [provider-edit-gate-final]
  task: |
    If provider-edit-gate-final is still red, repair the missing provider
    artifacts and rerun the check. If repair is impossible, write
    .workflow-artifacts/my-flow/BLOCKED_NO_COMMIT.md with exact evidence and
    do not commit.
    Output:
    {{steps.provider-edit-gate-final.output}}
  verification:
    type: exit_code

Agent Transport Must Not Be The First Hard Gate

Interactive lead-and-worker teams are useful, but they are still process
.step('runtime-implementation', {
  agent: 'impl-runtime',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: 'Implement the runtime slice and write .workflow-artifacts/runtime.md',
})
.step('adapter-implementation', {
  agent: 'impl-adapters',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  task: 'Implement adapter wiring and write .workflow-artifacts/adapters.md',
})
.step('implementation-reconcile', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  dependsOn: ['context'],
  command: `git status --short -- packages/core packages/*/src/writeback.ts scripts tests .workflow-artifacts
test -f scripts/verify-e2e.mjs || echo "MISSING_E2E"
test -f packages/core/src/runtime/router.ts || echo "MISSING_ROUTER"`,
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: false,
})
.step('repair-implementation-reconcile', {
  agent: 'qa',
  dependsOn: ['implementation-reconcile'],
  task: `Finish anything missing before gates run:\n{{steps.implementation-reconcile.output}}`,
  verification: { type: 'exit_code' },
})
.step('run-e2e', {
  type: 'deterministic',
  dependsOn: ['repair-implementation-reconcile'],
  command: 'npm run verify:e2e',
  captureOutput: true,
  failOnError: false,
})

DAG Deadlock Anti-Pattern

`yaml
# WRONG — deadlock: coordinate depends on context, work-a depends on coordinate
steps:
  - name: coordinate
    dependsOn: [context]    # lead waits for WORKER_DONE...
  - name: work-a
    dependsOn: [coordinate] # ...but work-a can't start until coordinate finishes

# RIGHT — workers and lead start in parallel
steps:
  - name: context
    type: deterministic
  - name: work-a
    dependsOn: [context]    # starts with lead
  - name: coordinate
    dependsOn: [context]    # starts with workers
  - name: merge
    dependsOn: [work-a, coordinate]

Step Sizing

One agent, one deliverable. A step's task prompt should be 10-20 lines max.
# Team pattern: lead + workers on a shared channel
steps:
  - name: track-lead-coord
    agent: track-lead
    dependsOn: [prior-step]
    task: |
      Lead the track on #my-track. Workers: track-worker-1, track-worker-2.
      Post assignments to the channel. Review worker output.

  - name: track-worker-1-impl
    agent: track-worker-1
    dependsOn: [prior-step] # same dep as lead — starts concurrently
    task: |
      Join #my-track. track-lead will post your assignment.
      Implement the file as directed.
    verification:
      type: exit_code

  - name: next-step
    dependsOn: [track-lead-coord] # downstream depends on lead, not workers

Supervisor Pattern

When you set .pattern('supervisor') (or hub-spoke, fan-out), the runner auto-assigns a supervisor agent as owner for worker steps. The supervisor monitors progress, nudges idle workers, and issues OWNER_DECISION.

Auto-hardening only activates for hub patterns — not pipeline or dag.

| Use case | Pattern | Why |

| ------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------- |

| Sequential, no monitoring | pipeline | Simple, no overhead |

| Workers need oversight | supervisor | Auto-owner monitors |

| Local/small models | supervisor | Supervisor catches stuck workers |

| All non-interactive | pipeline or dag | No PTY = no supervision needed |

Concurrency

Cap maxConcurrency at 4-6. Spawning 10+ agents simultaneously causes broker timeouts.

| Parallel agents | maxConcurrency |

| --------------- | ---------------- |

| 2-4 | 4 (default safe) |

| 5-10 | 5 |

| 10+ | 6-8 max |

Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |

| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Treating relay as transport, not as a coordination layer (every step is preset: 'worker', every handoff is {{steps.X.output}}) | Default to Conversation shape for non-trivial work — interactive agents on a shared channel. Pipeline-shape is only correct when the work could be expressed as a bash \| bash \| bash pipe. |

| Interactive agents on a channel whose task strings don't tell them to talk to each other | Pick a Chat-Native Coordination Recipe (Q/A, Broadcast/Ack, Peer Review, Standup, Hand-Off) and bake it into the task prompt — otherwise you're paying for a chat substrate you're not using |

| All workflows run sequentially | Group independent workflows into parallel waves (4-7x speedup) |

| Every step depends on the previous one | Only add dependsOn when there's a real data dependency |

| Self-review step with no timeout | Set timeout: 300_000 (5 min) — Codex hangs in non-interactive review |

| One giant workflow per feature | Split into smaller workflows that can run in parallel waves |

| Adding exit instructions to tasks | Runner handles self-termination automatically |

| Interactive PTY Codex for one-shot artifact steps | Use preset: 'worker' plus file_exists or custom verification |

| Setting timeoutMs on agents/steps | Use global .timeout() only |

| Using general channel | Set .channel('wf-name') for isolation |

| {{steps.X.output}} without dependsOn: ['X'] | Output won't be available yet |

| Requiring exact sentinel as only completion gate | Use exit_code or file_exists verification |

| Writing 100-line task prompts | Split into lead + workers on a channel |

| maxConcurrency: 16 with many parallel steps | Cap at 5-6 |

How to use it

Copy the folder

Take agentworkforce/writing-agent-relay-workflows from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal use, or into .claude/skills inside a project.

Check the name does not clash

The agent identifies a skill by the name field in its header. Two skills with the same name cannot sit side by side — one of them will be ignored.

Install what it needs

The instructions reference npm. Without those the skill loads but fails at the first command.