/formula-authoring

name: formula-authoring
description: Author TOML-based Formula workflow templates that become Protomolecules and active Molecules in Gas Town's durable workflow system.
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Agent, AskUserQuestion
graph:
  domains: [domain:software-engineering]
  skillAreas: [skill-area:agentic-loops, skill-area:orchestration-loop]
  workflows: [workflow:feature-development]
  topics: [topic:developer-experience]
  roles: [role:tech-lead, role:backend-engineer]

• Creating multi-step processes with variable binding
• Building workflows that must survive restarts
• When NDI (Nondeterministic Idempotence) is needed

Process

1. **Define** formula steps and variables in TOML format 2. **Validate** formula structure and dependencies 3. **Cook** into protomolecule (resolve variables, freeze) 4. **Test** by instantiating a trial molecule 5. **Register** in the formula library for reuse

Formula Lifecycle

Formula (TOML template) -> Protomolecule (frozen) -> Molecule (active, durable)

Key Concepts

• **Formula**: TOML-based workflow template with variables
• **Protomolecule**: Frozen template ready to instantiate
• **Molecule**: Active durable workflow surviving restarts
• **NDI**: Nondeterministic Idempotence - useful outcomes from unreliable processes

Tool Use

Invoke via babysitter process: `methodologies/gastown/gastown-molecule`