Default Workflow Skill

Purpose

This skill provides the standard development workflow for all non-trivial code changes in amplihack. It auto-activates when detecting multi-file implementations, complex integrations, or significant refactoring work.

The workflow defines the canonical execution process: from requirements clarification through design, implementation, testing, review, and merge. It ensures consistent quality by orchestrating specialized agents at each step and enforcing philosophy compliance throughout.

This is a thin wrapper that references the complete workflow definition stored in a single canonical location, ensuring no duplication or drift between the skill interface and the workflow specification.

Canonical Source

This skill is a thin wrapper that references the canonical workflow:

Source: ~/.amplihack/.claude/workflow/DEFAULT_WORKFLOW.md (471+ lines)

The canonical workflow contains the complete development process with all details, agent specifications, and execution guidance.

Execution Instructions

When this skill is activated, you MUST:

Read the canonical workflow immediately:

Read(file_path="~/.amplihack/.claude/workflow/DEFAULT_WORKFLOW.md")

Note: Path is relative to project root. Claude Code resolves this automatically.

Follow all steps exactly as specified in the canonical workflow

Use TodoWrite to track progress through workflow steps with format:

• Step N: [Step Name] - [Specific Action]

• Example: Step 1: Rewrite and Clarify Requirements - Use prompt-writer agent

• This helps users track exactly which workflow step is active

Invoke specialized agents as specified in each workflow step:

• Step 1: prompt-writer, analyzer, ambiguity agents

• Step 4: architect, api-designer, database, tester, security agents

• Step 5: builder, integration agents

• Step 6: cleanup, optimizer agents

• Step 7: pre-commit-diagnostic agent

• Step 9-15: Review and merge agents

Why This Pattern

Benefits:

• Single source of truth for workflow definition

• No content duplication or drift

• Changes to workflow made once in canonical location

• Clear delegation contract between skill and workflow

• Reduced token usage (skill is ~60 lines vs 471+ in canonical source)

Auto-Activation Triggers

This skill auto-activates for:

• Features spanning multiple files (5+)

• Complex integrations across components

• Refactoring affecting 5+ files

• Any non-trivial code changes requiring structured workflow

Related Files

• Canonical Workflow: ~/.amplihack/.claude/workflow/DEFAULT_WORKFLOW.md

• Command Interface: ~/.amplihack/.claude/commands/amplihack/ultrathink.md

• Orchestrator Skill: ~/.amplihack/.claude/skills/ultrathink-orchestrator/

• Investigation Workflow: ~/.amplihack/.claude/skills/investigation-workflow/